Fox Associates has a truly diverse set of publishing organizations as its partners. Each has its own market position, its own distinct mission, its own colorful characteristics. Each of their markets are inherently interesting—as are the people in those organizations.
This month, we’re fortunate to catch up with not just one, but two of our association partners with strong connections to the United States Army.
Elsewhere in this issue, we catch up with Brigadier General Jack Haley (retired), the vice president for membership and meetings at the Association of the United States Army.
Here, we’re happy to chat with Colonel Rob Choppa (retired), president of the National Infantry Association, which, according to its website, seeks to “build camaraderie among the infantry community by building networks and providing resources; recognizing outstanding contributions to the Infantry through our awards programs; and preserving the heritage, history, customs and traditions of the Infantry.”
A key component in delivering on that mission is the quarterly Infantry Bugler Magazine.
The infantry views itself as distinct among its fellow Army branches, such as artillery and armor. One of the NIA’s most prominent awards is the Doughboy Award, which taps into that sense of self. “Infantry is the hard work of combat,” Choppa said. “It’s close in. It’s what makes it a special award.”
Fox Tales started our conversation with Choppa with the association’s awards programs, and through that, we got an insightful look at the organization as a whole. Here’s a transcript of our conversation with Col. Choppa.
Fox Tales: Tell us about the Doughboy Award. It represents the highest honor that can be bestowed on an infantryman or infantrywoman.
Rob Choppa.
Col. Rob Choppa: The doughboy award recognizes the best of the infantry. It is the highest honor the Chief of Infantry can bestow on any Infantryman. If I we were to equate the award to the NFL, it’s a lifetime achievement award and a players’ choice award. The honoree is elected by fellow infantry people, including former chiefs of infantry, officers who led infantry schools, and former recipients. They tally up all the recommendations and present it to the chief of infantry, and he selects the winner.
Fox Tales: What’s the background? How has it changed and evolved over time?
Choppa: The award was initially presented in 1980. We started it because the organization and its members wanted to recognize the infantry. There’s a category for officers, another for enlisted soldiers, and one for civilians. Bob Hope was the first honoree.
The award is a replica of a helmet worn by American soldiers during World War I, on a plaque with the name under it. The term “Doughboy” originated in Texas, where soldiers trained along the Rio Grande. The soldiers became covered with the dusty soil and were called “adobes.” Over time this term transitioned to become doughboys.
Fox Tales: Who’s eligible?
Choppa: It goes to people who are living—and retired. It has evolved. Initially it was for personalities—we mentioned Bob Hope. There was also Ross Perot [the Texas businessman and 1992 presidential candidate. Other early recipients included the senators Bob Dole of Kansas and John Tower of Texas]. Then it became those an award for those who made a difference over their entire lives and service to the infantry.
[Other well-known recipients are the actor Gary Sinise, the author Joe Galloway, and Colin Powell.]
Fox Tales: Tell us your own objectives for the association. Membership growth, new opportunities, increased engagement, and the like.
Choppa: The association is a military-affiliated non-profit. It supports infantrymen of the past and of the present. It supports the commandant of the infantry school. The school engages in various activities at Fort Moore and in the Columbus, Georgia, area, and we help with that.
We’re also involved in the birthday of the infantry. 2025 is its 250th birthday. The U.S. infantry is older than the country [It started with the first fighting of the American Revolution, in 1775, with the battles at Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill in Massachusetts.]
We have over 13,000 members. Our membership goal was to increase by 1,000 members, and we’ve already exceeded that goal.
We also publish the Infantry Bugler Magazine, written by infantrymen. The next edition will highlight the 1st infantry division. In each issue, we have a valor column—recognizing someone from units past, a highest valor award, plus photos of recipients of different awards in the back. It comes out in print and online. At the end of the year, it donates all the money it made to the National Infantry Museum—which is the number-one free museum in the U.S.
Fox Tales: Tell us how your own background in the Army informs your current role.
Choppa: I retired as chief of the infantry in in 2014. I spent 30 years in the Army, serving in five regiments, three divisions, and from platoon leader all the way up to brigade commander. I’m familiar with the infantry as a people. It’s the single largest branch in the U.S. Army—the ones that hold ground and win our nation’s wars.
Fox Tales: Tell us about your relationship with Fox Associates.
Choppa: Fox Associates is increasingly important to us because they help tell our story to America. We’re America’s infantry. We come from every state, from all backgrounds. We value our partnership with Fox because we don’t have the experience in publishing that they have. It can be difficult to solicit support. Fox is instrumental in helping us do those things, to help tell our story and ensure that we’re America’s infantry.