ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

The Army must begin aggressively restructuring, reorganizing and modernizing to meet the challenges posed by near-peer adversaries such as Russia and China, said Maj. Gen. William C. Hix, director of strategy, plans and policy, deputy chief of staff, G-3/5/7.

Hix spoke Feb. 7 during the Gen. Bernard W. Rogers Strategic Issues Forum, which was hosted by the Association of the U.S. Army’s Institute of Land Warfare. The event was held at the AUSA Conference and Event Center in Arlington, Va.

Often described as the Army’s chief strategist, Hix said counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations...

Of the 3,498 service members who have received the Medal of Honor throughout U.S. history, only 88 have been black.

In recognition of Black History Month, we're sharing the stories of the brave men who so gallantly risked and gave their lives for others, even in times when others weren't willing to do the same in return.

We'll start with the first black recipient of the award: Army Sgt. William H. Carney, who earned the honor for protecting one of the United States' greatest symbols during the Civil War – the American flag.

Carney was born into slavery in Norfolk, Va., in 1840.

His family was...

American soldiers and veterans have made tremendous sacrifices for each of us, and continue to put themselves in harm’s way whenever, wherever they are asked.

It is nice to know that there are local organizations that support our heroes when they need us.

One such organization is the Fort Leonard Wood-Mid-Missouri Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) based in St. Robert, Mo.

The group is comprised of approximately 600 individuals both with and without a military background, as well as 180 corporate members from surrounding communities.

One aspect of support is their Warrior...

Association of the U.S. Army chapters have been hosting a variety of meetings, events and forums as a way to engage with their members and the local communities in their area.

Here are some examples:

• Lt. Gen. Patricia McQuistion, USA, Ret., AUSA vice president for membership and meetings, visited with the Panama Chapter for its Corporate Member Appreciation Luncheon. This was the first visit to Panama from an AUSA staff member since 2003.
• The Colonel Edward Cross Chapter, located in New Hampshire, held its annual AUSA Ski Day at Cannon Mountain Ski Area. The day ended with members and guests...

AUSA Family Readiness continued its focus on outreach to Army families by providing 12 Military Family Forums in 2016.

Reaching out to Army families at the local level allowed us to address issues and concerns specific to the communities’ families.

During the AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition, three Military Family Forums were hosted by the Family Readiness Directorate; “An Update on Military Kids: How are They Doing? What do They Need?,” “Preparing for Life In or Outside the Army through Financial Readiness, Spouse Employment,” and “Entrepreneurship, Army Senior Leaders’ Town Hall.”

Distinguish...

“Why should Army National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers and family members join AUSA?”

The Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) cares about and is committed to reserve component (RC) soldiers and family members and offers them a wide variety of benefits.

AUSA is the only professional organization that encompasses the needs and interests of the entire Army family to include Regular Army, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Department of the Army Civilians, retirees, veterans and family members.

Membership in AUSA is a key way for RC soldiers and family members to add their voice in support of key...

“Why should Army National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers and family members join AUSA?”

The Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) cares about and is committed to reserve component (RC) soldiers and family members and offers them a wide variety of benefits.

AUSA is the only professional organization that encompasses the needs and interests of the entire Army family to include Regular Army, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Department of the Army Civilians, retirees, veterans and family members.

Membership in AUSA is a key way for RC soldiers and family members to add their voice in support of key...

What is the value of being a member of the Association of the United States Army and what do I or my soldiers get from becoming a member?

Thank you to all of you who support the Association of the United States Army through your membership and participation.

Why join AUSA?

We think there are many reasons, but we also think that each person likely joins for a different one.

For me, a compelling reason to be a member of this Association is to stay connected with the people, the issues, and the challenges that I’ve spent my entire life supporting.

How better to be a Soldier for Life than to be a member of the Army’s Professional Association?

Whether you are in the Regular Army, Army National Guard, or Army Reserve; a veteran with three...

AUSA’s Arsenal of Democracy Chapter hosted a Cigar Night recently at the Jenuwine Cigar Lounge, Sterling Heights, Mich.

This event was a networking social for AUSA members and non-members who are part of the military and defense manufacturing community in southeast Michigan.

Attendees included AUSA members and Detroit Arsenal-based Army officials, as well as over 100 Air Force, Marine, and Navy members and private citizens who gathered to honor the military.

The event, with a $20 fee, provided attendees with a premium cigar of choice, food, a wine tasting demonstration, a tutorial on cigar...

Members of the Association of the United States Army affirmed their support for members of the National Guard and Reserve in a meeting in Dothan, Ala., on Jan. 19.

Jim Muskopf, president of AUSA’s Fort Rucker-Wiregrass Chapter, hosted a Kick-Off Luncheon to sign an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Statement of Support on behalf of the chapter’s 600 members.

The statement pledges employers to support their employees who are members of the guard and reserve, and to comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.

Retired Army Gen. Carter Ham, AUSA’s...

Since my last column there has been absolutely no news to report or to reflect on.

Capitol Hill and the White House have been absolutely quiet, harmonious and predictable. Saturday Night Live is having challenges coming up with any material to satirize.

Whoops, those might be disputable facts. Maybe the District of Columbia has had a couple of reportable moments recently.

The Chinese New Year proclaims this the “Year of the Rooster.” However, those of us who have been inside the Washington beltway for a while are thinking that the “Year of the Unicorn” might be a more appropriate label.

We had a...

AUSA will challenge attendees at the Global Force Symposium and Exposition to think “healthy habits” by inviting them to participate in the Health and Wellness Walking Challenge, March 13–15 at the Van Braun Center in Huntsville, Ala.

This inaugural walking challenge is part of an ongoing AUSA initiative to provide a fun and interactive experience while educating attendees about the importance of activity, one of the three pillars of the Army’s Performance Triad.

The Performance Triad is a comprehensive plan to improve readiness and increase resilience through public health initiatives and...

Nominations to serve on the Association of the United States Army’s Council of Trustees were submitted by the national nominating committee to the Council of Trustees for consideration at its meeting in late January.

Three serving council members, Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody, USA, Ret.; Lt. Gen. Larry R. Jordan, USA, Ret.; and Gen. Dennis J. Reimer, USA, Ret., were nominated to serve as trustees for an additional three-year term.

Three serving vice chairmen, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Jack L. Tilley, USA, Ret., vice chairman for noncommissioned officer and soldier programs; Lt. Gen. David H. Ohle, USA, Ret...

As ballistic missile threats to the U.S. increase in quantity and quality, steps must be taken to ensure the Army and the joint force remain able to counter adversaries at home and abroad.

“The Army air and missile defense (AMD) force is a key strategic enabler for the Army, the joint force and the nation, and continues to be globally deployed and regionally engaged … but enemy air and missile defense threats continue to develop in complexity, quantity and capacity,” said Lt. Gen. James Dickinson, commanding general, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command.

Dickinson was the opening speaker...