More than 3,000 Soldiers deployed to Iraq with a Fort Riley, Kan., aviation brigade are one step closer to home this week.
For over 60 years, the Association of the U.S. Army has been the "Voice for the Army – Support for the Soldier." AUSA has been educating the members of Congress and the general public on the critical issues that directly affect the men and women of the U.S. Army – and their families – who are proudly serving their country.Since its founding in 1950, AUSA membership has been and is now open to all Army components – active, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve.Also retirees, veterans, government civilians, business men and women, industry representatives, military academy and ROTC cadets...
Today, the American Soldier brings unmatched skills far beyond their occupational specialty while defending our Nation and our Allies. Most important, Soldiers display an attitude that freedom is not free, and they live and demonstrate around the world, the values they have learned from their Family growing up in this country. Americans are known as the most giving society in the world and our Soldiers are our ambassadors.Right now we have approximately 230,000 Soldiers forward deployed or stationed in nearly 80 countries around the world. In this era of persistent conflict, it is no secret we...
The Association of the United States Army – in 2010 celebrating its 60th anniversary as the "Voice of the Soldier – Support for the Army" – is the Army’s professional organization.AUSA offers specialized programs and exhibitions for soldiers of all ranks – active, National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve, Department of the Army civilians, retirees, veterans, civilians, military academy and ROTC cadets, family members and the men and women who work in the defense industry.The Association’s Annual Meeting and Exposition, held each October in Washington, is the Association’s premier event that focuses...
This report describes the lifecycle of AUSA’s grassroots work from the creation of the annual Association’s resolutions to the creation of the next set of resolutions.The resolutions are produced annually and act as the basis for our legislative objectives for the year.Chapters or individual members may submit proposed resolutions until July of each year.The National Resolutions Committee membership, usually numbering about 14 AUSA members, is nominated by chapters and approved by the Council of Trustees.The committee meets in Washington for three days before the Annual Meeting, and receives...
The Association of the United States Army is the Army’s professional association and has, for over 60 years, provided support for soldiers and family members.I believe that every soldier – active, guard, reserve and retired – should be an AUSA member.AUSA’s strength can be found in its membership and chapters. That’s why membership is important.Members are AUSA’s lifeblood. They give us clout and credibility on Capitol Hill.AUSA is the voice for America’s Army, and the more members we have, the more effective we are. With every new member, AUSA’s voice – your voice – becomes stronger.Every...
The Association of the United States Army (AUSA) was established in 1950 with the mission to assist America’s Army and support our soldiers in their commitment to protecting our nation’s freedom and security.The AUSA Family Programs Directorate was established in 1999 with the mission: Focus on the needs of the Army family by providing information, resources and assistance and representation.The Family Programs staff is dedicated to helping our families become better prepared to cope with and manage the many challenges of military life and to support them as needed."Supporting" our soldiers...
As we close in on 10 years at war, the sacrifices of the American soldier and his or her family continue to be admired by the American public. The people’s respect and generosity, even in difficult economic times, remains one of the strengths of our nation.With the physical and emotional burdens on our Army and its soldiers and families increasing over the years, we must be vigilant and vocal if we are to secure a respectable future for those who have given so much for our liberty and freedom. We must also position ourselves to face the inevitable challenges in an era of persistent conflict.No...
Just four days after the New Year’s Eve tornado struck Fort Leonard Wood, the Army chief of staff, Gen. George W. Casey Jr., visited the installation to view the extensive damage, speak with the many families who lost their homes and give hope to the community as it begins its intense phase of reconstruction."I don’t remember an Army installation getting hit by a natural disaster of this magnitude," Casey said. "As I went around today I was just amazed at the resilience of our soldiers and families and amazed at the teamwork, not only on the installation, but from local communities."After...
The senior American military officer in Seoul, Korea, said the Republic of Korea-U.S. Alliance will respond "rapidly, proportionately and decisively" to any future North Korean provocations.Army Gen. Walter L. "Skip" Sharp, commander of United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command and U.S. Forces Korea, delivered this clear message to the North Korean regime during his Dec. 15 speech to the East Asia Institute and Center for a New American Security at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul."We will not tolerate attacks against the civilian population and all provocations will be met with the utmost...
Seen as a rite of passage among the U.S. armed forces, the Initial Entry Training graduation brings a certain enthusiasm and anxiety to the day.That same elation was captured in Al Anbar, Iraq, recently as the passing of the flag from the senior graduating class of Iraqi Army soldiers to the junior class, symbolized change and the forward movement of troop now assigned to their first units while continuing their military service."Ten weeks ago you were civilians and now you are warriors for your country," Lt. Col. Jeffrey Shoemaker, commander, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 4th Advise...
The Army chief of staff, Gen. George W. Casey Jr., and the Army Historical Foundation executive director, Brig. Gen. Creighton W. Abrams Jr., USA, Ret., unveiled designs for three 2011 Army Commemorative Coins during the 111th Army-Navy football classic Dec. 11, at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field."The designs for the 2011 U.S. Army Commemorative Coins unveiled today celebrate our magnificent Army’s storied history and heritage and signify a remarkable public tribute to every American Soldier who has served our nation in war and in peace," Secretary of the Army John McHugh said following...
The Defense Department will "move out carefully, deliberately and purposefully" to implement the repeal of the "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell law," a Pentagon spokesman said Dec 20.The Senate, on Dec. 18, repealed the 1993 law barring gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military, and President Obama signed the bill into law Dec. 22.Marine Corps Col. Dave Lapan told reporters today that because the legislation includes a certification phase, he can’t predict when the repeal will take effect."Right now we are in the planning stages," Lapan said. "[We’re] starting to look at the implementation...
President Barrack Obama signed the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010 into law Dec. 22 before an audience assembled at the Department of the Interior auditorium in Washington."We are not a nation that says, ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell,’" the president said at the signing ceremony. "We are a nation that says, ‘Out of many, we are one.’"Adding, "We are a nation that welcomes the service of every patriot. We are a nation that believes all men and women are created equal. Those are the ideals that generations have fought for. Those are the ideals that we uphold today, and now it is my honor to...
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has recommended that President Barack Obama nominate Gen. Martin E. Dempsey to be the next Army chief of staff.Gates made the announcement at a Jan. 6 Pentagon news conference.The Army chief of staff is the highest-ranking soldier and serves as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.If nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate, Dempsey would succeed Gen. George W. Casey Jr., who has served as Army chief of staff since April 2007 and will retire after more than 40 years of service.Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan, USA, Ret., president of the Association of...