ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

As the Army undergoes its biggest transformation in decades and prepares for large-scale combat operations against near-peer adversaries, soldiers must always “have the best equipment to fight and win our nation’s wars,” a senior Army leader said.

Maj. Gen. Thomas O’Connor, commander of the Army Aviation and Missile Command, stressed the importance of honoring the past while transitioning to the future. “Those that have come before us—the impact they’ve had, the conditions they set, their innovative and creative ways to solve problems—we use that as a starting point,” he said.

The future of Army aviation will require soldiers to increase realistic training that effectively mimics hostile environments, a senior Army official said at a one-day seminar sponsored by the Association of the U.S. Army.

The Army’s transformation push becomes more important every day, said Gen. James Rainey, commanding general of Army Futures Command.

Speaking July 27 at the Association of the U.S. Army’s Warfighter Summit and Exposition in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Rainey said, “There are absolutely some seriously disruptive things happening in the world and happening in our profession right now.”

In a changing world, the XVIII Airborne Corps has expanded its focus on Army culture to improve installations, including housing and other facilities, reduce distractions and let soldiers concentrate on readiness.

The Army is at a point in history where change is vital, said Gen. Gary Brito, commanding general of the Army Training and Doctrine Command.

Speaking July 26 at the Association of the U.S. Army’s 2023 Warfighter Summit and Exposition in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Brito said the Army must make some adjustments to prepare for future wars.

The Senate Armed Services Committee shows staunch support for Army modernization and transformation efforts in its version of the 2024 national defense policy bill.

Senators provide support for top Army priorities such as long-range fires, Future Vertical Lift, next-generation combat vehicles and air and missile defense programs. The committee also wants to know more about efforts to modernize small arms, including an assessment of the maturity of improved 5.56 mm ammunition.

Registration is now open for the Association of the U.S. Army’s Warfighter Summit and Exposition in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Scheduled for July 26–27 at the Crown Complex near Fort Bragg, the two-day, in-person summit is a leader and professional development event focused on the warfighter. This is the second year AUSA is hosting the Warfighter Summit.

This year’s theme is “America’s Army: Ready for Today, Modernizing for 2030 and Beyond.”

The Association of the U.S. Army is urging key lawmakers to approve additional funding in the fiscal 2024 budget to support the Army’s transformation programs.

“We believe it is essential for the Army and the Department of Defense (DoD) to have the resources it needs to counter growing threats and to ensure the continued excellence of the all-volunteer force,” retired Gen. Bob Brown, AUSA president and CEO, writes in a letter to the chairmen and ranking members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees.

The Army is pushing ahead on its modernization and transformation for 2030 and 2040, a panel of senior leaders said.

“I believe that Army modernization is on track,” said Gen. James Rainey, commanding general of Army Futures Command. “As we deliver Army 2030 and design Army 2040, Army Futures Command is … transforming the Army to ensure war-winning future readiness, and modernization is an essential part of that.”