ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

As a new unprovoked invasion ignites war in the Middle East, the U.S. Army is watching—and it’s better prepared to assist now than it was two years ago.

That’s the message from Douglas Bush, assistant Army secretary for acquisition, logistics and technology. Speaking Oct. 9 at the Association of the U.S. Army’s 2023 Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C., Bush hailed the transformation that has taken place within Army acquisition in the past year, motivated by the urgent need to support Ukraine in its defensive war against Russia. 

The highlight of Day Two of AUSA 2023 is the Dwight D. Eisenhower Luncheon address by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, but there also are many events for soldiers and family members.

On-site registration opens at 7 a.m.

The Army is getting ahead of harmful behaviors by prioritizing quality of life for its soldiers, communities and families, a panel of experts said. 

Five soldiers from Army Special Operations Command are the winners of the Army’s 2023 Best Squad Competition.

Sgt. Jacob Phillips, Spc. Chancellor McGuire, Staff Sgt. Andre Ewing, Spc. George Mascharka and Spc. Shane Moon were named the winning squad Oct. 9 during a luncheon at the Association of the U.S. Army’s 2023 Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C.

Additionally, McGuire was named the 2023 Soldier of the Year, and Phillips is the NCO of the Year.

The Army is pulling excess equipment out of some of its formations to “reduce the complexity” of maintaining and accounting for gear that’s no longer needed, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George said.

In the first round of inventory reviews, he said, excess equipment belonging to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, and the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia, will be removed and taken to a warehouse.

The Army National Guard must prepare to face and define a new reality of war, the commander of Army Forces Command said. 

“We have to win the first fight,” Gen. Andrew Poppas said Oct. 9 during the MG Robert G. Moorhead National Guard and Army Reserve Breakfast at the Association of the U.S. Army’s 2023 Annual Meeting and Exposition. “We have to prepare for the battle today, especially in this uncertain world. … We have to be ready today.” 

In celebration of its new logo, the Association of the U.S. Army is releasing a graphic novel honoring the Army Rangers who scaled the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc in Normandy, France, on D-Day.

AUSA’s new logo, unveiled Oct. 9 on the first day of AUSA’s 2023 Annual Meeting and Exposition, is inspired by the Rangers’ actions that day in June 1944. The standalone graphic novel is separate from AUSA’s Medal of Honor series.

The Association of the U.S. Army unveiled a new logo inspired by the World War II Army Rangers who scaled the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc in Normandy, France.

Revealed Oct. 9 at the opening ceremony of AUSA’s 2023 Annual Meeting and Exposition, the new logo represents AUSA’s role as the Army’s premier association and its efforts to grow and connect with a new generation of soldiers.

Established in 1950, AUSA adopted its current logo in August 1954. Designed by one of AUSA’s first members, it features a bald eagle, an olive branch, a shield and a torch.

The U.S. Army is at a critical moment in history, and it must use this moment to ask hard questions and make big decisions, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said Oct. 9 in a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Association of the U.S. Army’s 2023 Annual Meeting and Exposition.