In 1922, the Army formally recognized the training program and the civilian aide concept. The primary function of the aides was to promote cooperation between the MTCA and the Army. The group consisted of a chief civilian aide who acted as the association. s president along with an aide for each Army corps area, each state and the District of Columbia. MTCA nominated the chief aide directly to the Secretary of War and corps area commanders selected all the civilian aides from the MTCA ranks. They were endorsed by the Secretary of War. Then, as now, the aides served without pay. 

During World War II, aides were called upon to perform important, often sensitive missions. They were especially helpful in locating civilians who had the critical technical skills for direct commission as Army officers.

In 1950, under the direction of Secretary of the Army, Frank Pace, Jr., the program was redesigned to meet the Army. s need for civilian liaisons capable of providing the Army with grass roots opinion from throughout the country. At that time, Pace changed the policy of selecting civilian aides solely from the ranks of the MTCA. The aides. primary mission was to promote good relations between the Army and the public by acting as spokespersons for and advisors to the Army. Since its reorganization in the early 1950s, the CASA program has undergone few changes.

About Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Arthur V. Episcopo: He retired from the DuPont Company in 1985, after more than 32 years of employment. He held a wide variety of positions with the company, culminating with the position of Personnel Supervisor for more than 3,000 employees at the Chestnut Run Facility.

His military career began in 1951 as an enlisted member of the Delaware National Guard. He was commissioned as a 2^nd Lt. in 1957 and progressed through the officer ranks until his retirement in 1993 as Maj. Gen. The last assignment of his 42-year career with the Delaware National Guard was as its Adjutant General.

Episcopo currently serves on Delaware. s Public Integrity Commission. Members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the state Senate. He also served on the State Industrial Accident Board and the Military Services Academy Selection Board.

Episcopo has been an active member of many other community service organizations, to include: National Guard Association of the United States; Retired Officers Association; Institutional Review Committee of St. Francis Hospital; St. Anthony. s Parish Finance Committee; Director, United Way Campaign of Delaware; and State Chairman, Combined Federal Campaign.

Episcopo has been married to his wife, Bonita (Bonnie) for 46 years.