GARY SINISE ACCEPTS MARSHALL MEDAL
October 12, 2017
Gary Sinise, recipient of the Association of the U.S. Army’s highest award for service to the nation, pledged his work on behalf of service members, veterans, first responders and military families wasn’t going to come to an end any time soon.
“For as long as I’m able, I stand with you,” Sinise said as he accepted the 2017 George Catlett Marshall Medal, AUSA’s award for distinguished, extraordinary and selfless service to the United States of America.
Wednesday
MORE THAN ONE WAY TO COMPLETE THE MISSION
October 11, 2017
Army special operations provides a suite of invaluable tools to the nation, said Lt. Gen. Kenneth E. Tovo, who leads U.S. Army Special Operations Command. Tovo made his remarks as part of a forum addressing Army Special Operations. The panel was on the final day of the Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition.
Among the tools Army special operations employs is the use of indigenous forces in the fight against common adversaries. Previously used by Special Forces in Vietnam, among other places, indigenous forces are among the approaches Army Special Operations employs.
ARMY DODGES BULLET ON AMMO PRODUCTION
October 11, 2017
In addition to the human toll that resulted, an April 2017 explosion at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant threatened a critical element of nearly all Army operations: bullets. Lots of bullets.
Specifically, the Lake City plant delivered more than 1.6 billion bullets in 2016, in 5.56mm, 7.62mm, .50 caliber and some 20 mm. But the April 11th explosion in the Missouri plant’s primer production area represented a significant challenge to those production figures for 2017.
ARMY FAMILIES PEPPER TOP LEADERS WITH QUESTIONS
October 11, 2017
The Army’s top leaders reaffirmed their deep commitment to the well-being of soldiers and their families, and answered questions this week on a variety of topics during a packed Association of the U.S. Army Meeting and Exhibition town hall meeting concerning Army families.
Chief among the messages delivered by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley was his ironclad assertion that Army readiness cannot happen if soldiers’ families are not taken care of.
SERVICES EMBRACE JOINT OPERATIONS
October 11, 2017
A multi-service panel dove deeply into the complex environment of Multi-Domain Battle now facing U.S. and allied armed forces, a challenge Gen. David Perkins summarized as requiring “convergence” of all the specialties and tribes of the joint force to respond faster than future peer adversaries in a battlespace in which there will be “no uncontested domains.”
Addressing a forum at today’s Association of the U.S. Army Meeting and Exposition, the commanding general of Army Training and Doctrine Command said in past conflicts he never worried about the air or maritime domains because the Air Force and Navy would take care of those, so he could focus on the land fight.
ARMY RESERVE IMPORTANT FOR TOTAL FORCE
October 11, 2017
Spanning 20 time zones and containing 200,000 soldiers, the Army Reserve provides 78 percent of the sustainment capabilities for the Total Army, but Reserve soldiers must balance readiness with their civilian responsibilities, senior leaders said at this week’s Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition.
“We recruit and we retain where our soldiers live and work,” said Lt. Gen. Charles Luckey, chief of the Army Reserve. “That fundamental dynamic about how we sustain our force from the manning perspective is absolutely critical.”
ARMY TAKES "ANOTHER SHOT" AT ARTILLERY TEST
October 11, 2017
The Army is preparing for the upcoming Initial Operational Test & Evaluation for the M109A7 self-propelled howitzer and associated M992A3 resupply vehicle. The Army originally began the test and evaluation for that family of vehicles in October 2016 but suspended the test due to safety concerns and other issues.
Army preparations for the upcoming retest were outlined during the recent Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington, D.C.
STANDOUT NCOS HONORED DURING FORUM
October 11, 2017
Three outstanding NCOs received awards this week during a professional development forum at the Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition.
The 2017 Sergeant Major Larry L. Strickland Educational Leadership Award senior NCO recipient is 1st Sgt. Scott Tate with the 258th Military Police Company, Fort Polk, La. The midgrade NCO recipient is Sgt. First Class Theodore Kirchmeier with the U.S. Army Medical Department Activity, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
MARK WILLS PERFORMS FOR ANNUAL MEETING ATTENDEES
October 11, 2017
With AUSA’s senior leadership and many others in attendance, country music artist Mark Wills performed at a free concert Tuesday night at the Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition.
The concert took place in the main ballroom at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., and was sponsored by Veterans United, a lender specializing in veterans’ home loans.
NATIONAL GUARD LEADERS HIGHLIGHT MISSION DIVERSITY
October 11, 2017
Army National Guard leaders offered insights on overcoming the challenges of maintaining readiness, and shared lessons learned from recent deployments during a panel discussion this week at the Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition.
Leading the conversation was Lt. Gen. Timothy J. Kadavy, director of the Army National Guard, who outlined changes in the way Guard soldiers will train, mobilize and deploy. Called ARNG 4.0, the evolutionary shift is meant to ramp up the level of readiness to be close to that of the regular Army.
ARMY SEEKS CIVILIAN 'WAR OF IDEAS'
October 11, 2017
Top civilian executives who work with the Army should come out of their comfort zones in order to help the Army address urgent needs, Acting Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy said.
“We need a war of ideas,” McCarthy told members of the Senior Executive Service at a breakfast meeting today during the Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition.
HIGH-ENERGY LASER MAKES STRIDES
October 11, 2017
Thomas Webber, director of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command, provided an overview of the Army’s progress in developing and deploying high-energy laser (HEL) defense, at a briefing this week at the Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting & Exposition
“Air and missile defense is a priority,” Webber said. “As the asymmetric threat is overwhelming, we have to [determine] how we deal with those threats. Our challenge is to develop disruptive solution capability. High-energy laser is what we’re focusing on. We are the Army’s lead working across Army efforts.”
BELL, SIKORSKY COMPETE TO REPLACE BLACK HAWK
October 11, 2017
While the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter will remain a mainstay of Army vertical-lift aviation for years to come, plans are afoot to develop its replacement. While the new aircraft is probably 20 years away from a production-line startup, prospective contractors have distinct ideas about how it would look and perform.
Two major helicopter-vertical lift manufacturers, Sikorsky and Bell Helicopter, displayed mock versions of their future vertical-lift designs this week at the Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition.
ALLIES SEEK MORE PUNCH FOR DETERRENCE MISSION
October 11, 2017
For NATO to deter any possibility of further aggression by Russia, it must demonstrate true “land power dominance,” and the alliance is working to achieve that by reversing a decade of cuts in defense budgets and military forces, a multinational panel of army officers said.
Gaining credible land power dominance could not only prevent an open attack, but also could deter Russia from more subtle aggression through asymmetrical actions, or what has become known as hybrid warfare, the officers said during a forum at this week’s Association of the U.S. Army Meeting and Exposition.
BIG FINAL DAY PLANNED AT AUSA 2017
October 11, 2017
On the third and final day of the 2017 Annual Meeting and Exposition of the Association of the U.S. Army, acting Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy will give a major speech, there’ll be a joint-service discussion about future warfare, and everything wraps up with a special dinner.
McCarthy and Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan will speak at the ticketed Sustaining Member Luncheon.
Tuesday
Pray for Peace, But Prepare for War, Milley Says
October 10, 2017
“We will pray for peace every day, but at the same time, the U.S. Army will prepare for war,” said Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley during a lunchtime address. “No one wants war,” he said, but the Army must maintain a laser focus on readiness.
Milley delivered his remarks during a well-attended event at the 2017 Annual Meeting and Exposition of the Association of the U.S. Army.
COOPERATION KEY FOR NORTHCOM
October 10, 2017
North America is vulnerable to an array of natural disasters and manmade threats, and cooperation with partners and allies will be critical to ensure a mutually secure operational environment, senior defense officials from the U.S., Canada and Mexico said at the Association of the U.S. Army’s Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C.
“The military-to-military relationship is as strong as it’s ever been” between the three countries, said Lt. Gen. Reynold Hoover, deputy commander of U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM).
CSA MILLEY EXPLAINS 'WHY WE FIGHT'
October 10, 2017
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley concluded a major speech at the Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition with what he called “a little commentary on why we fight.”
Speaking at the Dwight David Eisenhower Luncheon where he and other chiefs have made major policy announcements about their visions for the Army’s future, Milley said the U.S. was formed on a “very powerful idea … that here in America we will have a government of the people, by the people and for the people.”
FAMILY READINESS IS OVERALL READINESS ISSUE FOR ARMY
October 10, 2017
Army leadership understands “family readiness is essential to full readiness,” said the acting manpower official. “Soldier readiness plus family readiness equals full unit readiness,” Diane M. Randon, Army principal deputy assistant secretary for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, said at this week’s Association of the U.S. Army Meeting and Exposition.
Understanding the needs of soldiers and their families and investing in those priorities is at the core of her programs, Randon told a military family forum.
ARMY IS WORKING TOWARD BETTER TRAINING, CERTIFICATION
October 10, 2017
Sergeants major and senior NCOs are going to notice changes in the way they are taught – and the way they teach soldiers – if they have not already.
The old way of teaching is not meeting the Army’s needs, fails to prepare soldiers adequately for life after they leave uniform, and provides colleges and prospective employers with an incomplete picture of the skill sets they acquire while on active duty, said Command Sgt. Maj. Jimmy J. Sellers, the commandant of the U.S. Sergeants Major Academy at Fort Bliss, Texas.
NEW NATO BRIGADES PROVIDE DETERRENCE
October 10, 2017
The NATO partnership has changed its posture from assurance to deterrence in Europe, said Lt. Gen. Darryl Williams, who leads the multinational organization’s Allied Land Command.
“The magic word going around in NATO is adaptation,” Williams said. A recent and significant adaptation is the formation of an international land defense mission based in Eastern Europe, he said.
CHANGES TO TRICARE COMING NEXT YEAR
October 10, 2017
The chief of the military medical system is urging soldiers and spouses alike to be ready for changes to TRICARE that will take place at the beginning of next year.
“This is a reminder to make sure your DEERS [Defense Enrollment and Eligibility Reporting System] information is accurate,” Navy Vice Adm. Raquel C. Bono, director of the Defense Health Agency, told an audience this week at the Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington D.C.
DIGITAL LEARNING IS RIGHT FOR THE ARMY
October 10, 2017
The future of Army leader development on social media is now. Evidence? A panel discussion at this week’s Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition was as interactive as technology allows, as it went out live on Facebook and was joined by dozens of posts from individuals as far away as Europe.
The panel—retired Col. Jim Greer, educator and author; Capt. Doug Meyer, creator of “Hay in the Barn Leader”; professor Rebecca Johnson, Marine Corps University—and moderator Maj. Joe Byerly convincingly pitched the notion that in terms of the domain of individual and leader education, social media is an answer the Army—indeed the military—has been longing for and is making work.
ARMY POINTS TO DRAGOON AS ACQUISITION ARCHETYPE
October 10, 2017
Army representatives used the Warriors’ Corner at this week’s Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition to present its new Stryker Dragoon as an archetype for accelerated acquisition.
The Dragoon vehicle design integrates an XM813 30 mm turreted cannon on more than 80 vehicles destined for the Army’s 2nd Cavalry Regiment, which is forward staged in Germany.
ARMY LEADERS ASK FOR CONGRESSIONAL HELP
October 10, 2017
Army leaders said they’ll need congressional help to carry out the acquisition transformation needed to prepare the force of the future.
Speaking at a congressional breakfast on the second day of the Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition, Acting Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy and Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley said the Army is moving as quickly as possible to make up for years of dormant weapons-buying and acquisition programs.
KIM JONG UN PROVIDES STABILITY IN NORTH KOREA
October 10, 2017
North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un’s sole concern is the survival of his regime and of the Kim family, so he will not attack the U.S. and he will not give up his nuclear weapons, and neither China nor Russia are likely to have any significant impact on the escalating tensions between North Korea and the U.S.
Those were some of the dramatic conclusions of a panel of experts at this week’s Association of the U.S. Army Meeting and Exposition.
ABRAMS: MAJOR WAR WOULD EXACT HEAVY TOLL
October 10, 2017
Americans can sleep well at night knowing that their Army will rise to the occasion in the event of large-scale war, said Gen. Robert Abrams, commander of U.S. Army Forces Command. The cost, however, would be high in terms of human life, and therefore must be weighed judiciously, he said.
Abrams made his comments during a panel discussion on readiness. The panel, held during this week’s Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition, featured speakers from the Defense Department, Army National Guard and Army.
UKRAINIAN DEFENSE INDUSTRY SHARES COMBAT LESSONS
October 10, 2017
A contingent of Ukrainian representatives used the venue of this week’s Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition to share lessons learned from what they described as “hybrid warfare experiences” with Russia.
Through an interpreter, Roman Romanov, director general of state concern UkrOboronProm (Ukrainian Defence Industry) welcomed the briefing audience, noting that 2017 marked the organization’s first participation in the AUSA exhibition and characterizing Ukraine as “a reliable partner” with industry.
DAY 2 AT AUSA 2017 FEATURES MAJOR CSA ADDRESS
October 10, 2017
Day 2 of the 2017 Annual Meeting and Exposition of the Association of the U.S. Army includes a major lunchtime address by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley about his vision for the future.
It ends with a free concert in the ballroom of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., featuring country artist Mark Wills and the U.S. Army Band Downrange. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. and is open to anyone registered to attend the annual meeting.
Monday
Army Looks to Consequences for Unsuccessful Award Protests
October 9, 2017
The U.S. Army is exploring the possibility of implementing some sort of consequences for the increasing number of award protests considered to be “frivolous.” The potential implementation was outlined during an Army Modernization Panel at this week’s Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition.
According to Steffanie B. Easter, acting assistant secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology, the Army has begun an effort with Congress to develop language that would implement consequences for what she called “a frivolous protest.”
ARMY TO FORM COMMAND TO STREAMLINE MODERNIZATION
October 9, 2017
The Army plans to create a command aimed at streamlining Army modernization, top officials announced today.
The new command, the name and locale of which have not been disclosed, was announced by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley and Acting Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy during the Association of the U.S. Army’s Annual Meeting and Exposition. The three-day event opened today at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
Noting that the Army's competitive edge has eroded in an increasingly dangerous world, officials said the new command will help the Army get up to speed faster.
NCO AND SOLDIER OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED
October 9, 2017
The winners of the U.S. Army Best Warrior Competition were announced today during an awards luncheon at the Association of the U.S. Army’s Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C.
Spc. Hazen Ham, U.S. Army Pacific, is the Army’s Soldier of the Year, and Staff Sgt. Ryan McCarthy from U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command is the Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) of the Year.
NEW WORLD WAR I COMMEMORATIVE COIN UNVEILED
October 9, 2017
A commemorative coin marking the 100th anniversary of U.S. participation in World War I was unveiled by Acting Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley at the Association of the U.S. Army’s Annual Meeting and Exposition.
In a small ceremony following the meeting’s opening events, reenactors dressed as American soldiers, NCOs and officers joined McCarthy, Milley, World War I Centennial Commission Chair Terry Hamby and T.V. Johnson, director of the Mint’s corporate communications, for the unveiling.
Forces Command CG Praises Soldiers, Families
October 9, 2017
Host and Association of the U.S. Army Council of Trustees member retired Lt. Gen. Jack Stultz kicked off the annual Maj. Gen. Robert G. Moorhead Guard/Reserve Breakfast this morning by reiterating the theme of the 2017 AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition.
Among the speakers were Gen. Robert B. Abrams, commanding general, U.S. Army Forces Command; Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Raymond Horoho; and Chief of the Army Reserve Lt. Gen. Charles Luckey. To a man, each reiterated the exposition theme of “building readiness.”
Defense Secretary Preaches Readiness
October 9, 2017
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said the international situation today “is the most complex and demanding” he has seen in his four decades of service, and he needs the Army to be “at the top of your game, in body, spirit. Mentally, I want you to enhance right now. We must be so ready … that everybody in the world will want to deal with [Secretary of State Rex] Tillerson’s Department of State, not the Department of Defense, your warfighting skills” and for every day they are in uniform “to be dedicated to getting better.”
AUSA 2017: Event Spotlights Soldier Protection
October 09, 2017
New industry designs to enhance soldier protection are one of the key exhibit hall themes during this week’s Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition.
Saab Defense and Security, for example, is displaying its new Barracuda Mobile Breakaway camouflage system. According to Brian Keller, president and general manager of Saab Barracuda, the new system is already being fielded to U.S Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).
Competing FMTVs Displayed at AUSA 17
October 09, 2017
As the Army’s timetable for selecting the next generation Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) approaches, the two prime competitors showcased what each believes would provide the service with a product that offers an optimal package. Both had vehicles on display at the 2017 Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition that began today in Washington, D.C.
“Based upon our analysis, we believe we offer the best solution for the government in terms of protection, affordability, automotive performance and logistic support,” said Chris Vanslager, executive vice president for U.S. Defense at AM General. “We break it down in terms of what to provide for the soldier, the mission, and the Army.”
SMA Leads Battle Challenge at AUSA 2017
October 9, 2017
With more than 60 soldiers in tow, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel A. Dailey led the participants at today’s first early morning Battle Challenge, a fire and maneuver obstacle course that launched activities on the exhibit floor at the Association of the U.S. Army symposium.
Replacing what had been a traditional run with the sergeant major of the Army followed by breakfast and a speech, the Battle Challenge competition attracted dozens of PT uniform-clad soldiers who maneuvered an obstacle course, with times that averaged about two minutes. Each two-man team ran toward and climbed a cargo net, slid down a knotted rope, mounted and tumbled over a wall, low-crawled, shuffled Jerry cans, resupplied ammunition, performed marksmanship tasks and rescued a downed service member, in a race toward the finish.
PRE-EVENT
AUSA 2017 Begins with SECDEF Address
October 8, 2017
With more than 26,000 attendees preregistered, the 2017 Annual Meeting and Exposition of the Association of the U.S. Army gets underway Monday, Oct. 9, with a packed house taking part in a three-day event focused on the Army’s future.
Exhibit floors in Halls A, B, C, D and E open at 9 a.m.
An AUSA app provides details on the meeting, updates the schedule, gives directions and allows interaction with other attendees. It is available for iPhone and Android devices by searching for “Association of the United States Army” at the Apple app store and Google Play.
NEW FM 3-0 to be Released at AUSA 2017
October 5, 2017
The Army’s foundational manual for operations—Field Manual 3-0: Operations—has been updated to recognize a broader and more complex security environment, including the rapidly evolving capabilities of potential adversaries in new domains such as cyber, information and the electromagnetic spectrum.
The new version of the operations manual, last updated in 2008 at the height of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to address counterinsurgency and stability operations, will be rolled out at the Association of the U.S. Army’s 2017 Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C.
AUSA 2017 Features Family-Focused Events
October 3, 2017
The Association of the U.S. Army plans three days of forums and events aimed at Army families as part of its 2017 Annual Meeting and Exposition.
On Monday, Oct. 9, Army Surgeon General Lt. Gen. Nadja Y. West will be the key speaker at an afternoon forum focusing on health care issues. Navy Vice Adm. Raquel Bono, Defense Health Agency director, will also talk about changes in military health care and there will be a panel focused on family and soldier wellness initiatives.
AUSA 2017 INCLUDES HELP FOR JOB HUNTERS
September 18, 2017
Transitioning soldiers, veterans and military spouses may find employment help at the Oct. 9-11 Annual Meeting and Exposition of the Association of the U.S. Army.
The nonprofit American Freedom Foundation is hosting the event in conjunction with AUSA.
Over the three-day event, about 20 companies will be on hand to talk about job opportunities. There will be a workshop providing tips on how to look for and secure a job and hiring professionals will be available to review resumes and provide some practical experience in interviewing for a job.
CUTTING-EDGE SCIENCE DISPLAYED AT AUSA 2017
September 12, 2017
Cutting-edge science and technology projects such as mind-controlled prosthetic devices, high-energy lasers and autonomous aerial ambulances will be among the topics presented at Innovators Corner during the Oct. 9-11 Annual Meeting and Exposition of the Association of the U.S. Army.
Innovators Corner, displaying cutting-edge ideas being developed by or in partnership with U.S. Army laboratories, will be located at Booth 2361 in Hall B of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., where AUSA’s annual event is held.
There will be presentations by Steffanie Easter, acting assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology; Maj. Gen. Robert M. Dyess, Army Capabilities Integration Center director; Maj. Gen. Barbara R. Holcomb, Army Medical Research and Materiel Command commanding general; Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins, Army Research, Development and Engineering Command commanding general; and other top research and technology officials.
AUSA ANNOUNCES 2017 NATIONAL AWARDS
September 8, 2017
The Association of the U.S. Army has announced its national awards for 2017. The awards and medals will be presented during the association’s Annual Meeting and Exposition, to be held Oct. 9–11 in Washington, D.C.
The association previously announced that its highest annual award, the George Catlett Marshall Medal for selfless service to the United States, is being presented on Oct. 11 to actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise.
ANNUAL MEETING INCLUDES WALKING CHALLENGE
September 6, 2017
If you are attending the Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C., in October, you are already going to be walking long distances. Why not join the competition?
In conjunction with the U.S. Army’s Performance Triad program and to promote healthy activities, AUSA is sponsoring a walking challenge during the Oct. 9–11 meeting at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, where there is a lot of room to walk in 470,000 square feet of space and room for 2,500 exhibit booths.
DEFENSE SECRETARY MATTIS APPEARING AT AUSA 2017
August 23, 2017
Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, a retired Marine general who spent four decades in uniform, will be the keynote speaker at the opening ceremony of the Association of the U.S. Army’s Annual Meeting and Exposition on Monday, Oct. 9.
The nation’s 26th defense secretary, Mattis is a former U.S. Central Command commander who led an infantry battalion in the 1991 Persian Gulf War, commanded the 7th Marine Regiment and later the 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade in Afghanistan, and commanded the 1st Marine Division during the 2003 Iraq invasion.
COUNTRY SINGER TO PERFORM AT AUSA 2017
August 10, 2017
Country music artist Mark Wills is going to perform at a free concert on the second night of the Association of the U.S. Army’s Annual Meeting and Exposition.
Wills, who has eight Top 10 hits to his name, will appear Tuesday, Oct. 10, at 7:30 p.m. in the ballroom at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., where AUSA’s meeting takes place.
Anyone who has a badge to attend the AUSA meeting will be allowed into the concert, which is sponsored by Veterans United, a lender specializing in veterans’ home loans.