"Win in a Complex World," the theme of the Association of the United States Army’s 2015 Annual Meeting and Exposition, Oct. 12 – 14, will set the tone for speeches, industry and military exhibits, and special presentations from senior Defense Department and Army leaders on subjects relating to today’s Army and the Army of the future.The AUSA meeting – A Professional Development Forum – will focus on panel discussions; Contemporary Military Forums; Military Family Forums; and special multimedia presentations and educational workshops that reinforce, examine and showcase the Army – the profession of arms – the soldier and the Army family.Walter E. Washington Convention Center – Marriott MarquisThe AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition will again occupy the entire Walter E. Washington Convention Center as the Association celebrates its 13th year in this state-of-the-art facility.Both levels of exhibit space will be occupied with displays from the U.S. Army and the national defense industry.There are also international pavilions with displays from Germany, the United Kingdom, Greece, Canada, Australia, Israel, the Republic of Korea, Turkey and the Czech Republic.The new Marriott Marquis DC Hotel, located directly across from the Convention Center, will be the meeting’s headquarters hotel.Pavilions highlight small business, veteran hiring eventAUSA is once again offering small businesses, including Association corporate members, an opportunity to showcase their products and services to approximately 26,000 attendees from around the world, including senior leaders from the Army, the Department of Defense and Congress.To qualify, your company must be classified as a "small business," as defined by the Small Business Administration.There will also be a Homeland Security Pavilion and a Department of Veterans Affairs Pavilion.For more information on the pavilions, visit our website: http://ausameetings.org/2015annualmeeting or contact Rand Meade, AUSA’s exhibit manager, at (703) 907-2678 or rmeade@ausa.org.Veterans Career Hiring Event PavilionThe Association of the United States Army has once again partnered with the American Freedom Foundation to host the third Warriors To The Workforce Hiring Event, presented by IVET™ and GES for veterans in conjunction with the Annual Meeting and Exposition.Held Oct. 12 – 14 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, this no-charge opportunity is part of the American Freedom Foundation’s nationwide initiative to help veterans find jobs.The event brings together major companies from throughout the country to profile their services and provide employment opportunities for our veterans.Attending veterans have the chance to talk with employers, submit qualifications and even participate in job interviews on the spot.In addition to hiring opportunities, Warriors To The Workforce will include a variety of workshops for veterans each day providing resources and information on subjects such as mental readiness, confidence building, networking and presentation skills, resume writing, interviewing techniques, job searching, career planning through goal setting, and translating military skills and training into civilian life and corporate experience, among others.Professional Development Forum"This year’s three-day forum will emphasize AUSA’s important educational and professional role in supporting the warfighting and transforming Army – active, Army National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve – the men and women who serve, retirees, veterans, Army civilians, ROTC and U.S. Military Academy cadets, contractors – and all their families," an AUSA spokesman said.Focusing on the "Profession of Arms," the meeting attracts approximately 26,000-plus members and guests annually.Pre-Registration and ticket purchaseAnyone may purchase tickets in advance for lunches, dinners and receptions, and pre-register for the meeting by visiting the AUSA website at www.ausa.org.Also, tickets for lunches, dinners and receptions may be purchased on-site at the AUSA registration area in the Convention Center on Oct. 9 to 14 if not sold out.There is no registration fee.Lt. Gen. Roger Thompson, USA, Ret., the Association’s vice president for membership and meetings, said, "AUSA’s long and distinguished record of supporting the Army with the Annual Meeting and Exposition continues. We’re very proud of the wide variety of opportunities this show presents."We are honored to again conduct this year’s Annual Meeting and Exposition in support of the United States Army, its soldiers, civilians, and families."Thompson added, "We will continue to offer a Veteran Hiring Event, linked to the Army Soldier for Life Program and the Department of Veterans Affairs, in addition to an Army Small Business Seminar located in special exhibit areas."We are also have a Department of Homeland Security and Army Homeland Security Seminar and exhibits area. There will be an Innovation Area on the exhibit floor."Adding, "For the first time, the Army Corps of Engineers will be showcased to demonstrate its critical role in infrastructure development, sustainment and security."He noted, "The Annual Meeting remains a dynamic and unique opportunity for professional development and interaction with the companies whose products and services have enabled the Army throughout years of war."We are excited that the Army intends to include many key personnel from Army locations worldwide and thousands of attendees from the national capital region."Adding, "Our outstanding and dedicated volunteer chapters will also be well represented at the Annual Meeting. They provide troops and families around the world with excellent support."Program highlights(Editor’s note: At press time, the speakers listed below have been either invited or have accepted AUSA’s invitation to address our functions.)Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan, USA, Ret., AUSA president, will host the chapter presidents at their dinner Sunday, Oct. 11.The dinner speaker, Gen. Dennis Via, commanding general, U.S. Army Materiel Command, will brief the Association’s volunteer leadership.On Monday morning, Oct. 12, members of the reserve components will attend the Maj. Gen. Robert G. Moorhead Guard and Reserve Breakfast.At this event, the Walter T. Kerwin Jr. awards to the outstanding Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve battalion-size units will be presented.The commanding general, U.S. Army Forces Command, Gen. Robert Abrams, has been invited to address the reserve component attendees at this event.Following this breakfast, the meeting will officially open with a patriotic presentation by the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and The United States Army Band, "Pershing’s Own," in the center’s ballroom.The secretary of the Army, John M. McHugh, is the invited keynote speaker.Three luncheons will follow the opening session.The U.S. Army Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier Recognition Luncheon is the venue where Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel Dailey will officially announce the Army Noncommissioned Officer of the Year and Soldier of the Year following the Best Warrior Competition held Oct. 5 – 9 at Fort A. P. Hill and in the National Capital Region.The Army vice chief of staff, Gen. Daniel Allyn, has been invited to speak at this luncheon.The commanding general, U.S. Army Pacific, Gen. Vincent Brooks, has been invited to address the ROTC Luncheon for cadets and PMS personnel.AUSA also will host the Corporate Member Luncheon on Monday. The invited speaker is Gen. David Perkins, commanding general, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command.There will be a special reception for visiting international dignitaries, hosted Monday evening by the Association’s Industry Affairs Directorate.Monday’s activities conclude with the President’s Reception, honoring the invited guests Secretary McHugh, Gen. Mark Milley, Army chief of staff, and the sergeant major of the Army, Daniel Dailey.On Tuesday, Oct. 13, the Association will host the Congressional Staffers Breakfast, where McHugh (invited) and Milley (invited) will speak to the Hill staffers and Army guests before they tour the exhibit hall.At the Tuesday Dwight D. Eisenhower Luncheon, Milley (invited) will deliver his "State of the Army" address to the membership.At this event, the drill sergeants and recruiters of the year will receive awards.Warrant officersCW5 David Williams, Army staff senior warrant officer, Office, Chief of Staff of the Army, will hold the Warrant Officer Breakfast on Tuesday from 7:30 to 8:30, and will preside at a professional development seminar for warrant officers the same day from 9 to 11 a.m.Reserve componentsThe director of the Army National Guard, Lt. Gen. Timothy Kadavy, will convene a seminar for U.S. Army National Guard personnel on Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and Lt. Gen. Jeffrey W. Talley, chief Army Reserve, will hold a seminar for Army Reserve personnel on the same day from 2:30 to 4 p.m.From 3 to 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 12, the command sergeant major of the Army Reserve, Luther Thomas Jr., will hold a breakout session for Army Reserve NCOs and soldiers, and also on Monday, from 3 to 4 p.m., the command sergeant major of the Army National Guard, Brunk Conley, will conduct a breakout session.Army civiliansThe Army Civilian Professional Development Seminar will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 14, followed by the Department of the Army Civilian Luncheon starting at noon.The under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, Brad Carson, will speak at the civilian luncheon.Sustaining Member LuncheonSecretary of Defense Ashton Carter will address the Sustaining Member Luncheon for the Association’s defense industry members on Wednesday, Oct. 14.Special events for NCOs and soldiersSgt. Maj of the Army Daniel Dailey will convene the annual Sergeant Major of the Army Conference for Soldiers and Noncommissioned Officers on Monday, Oct. 12, at 8 a.m.The NCO Professional Development Forum will be held Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 8 to 11 a.m."The Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Forum is without question a unique opportunity for our soldiers and NCOs attending the 2015 AUSA Annual Meeting," said Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston, USA, Ret., AUSA’s director of NCO and soldier programs.Adding, "The forum will provide discussion opportunities on subjects that impact our Army and our soldiers and noncommissioned officers operating in a complex world."The Sergeant Major of the Army’s Professional Development Panel will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 9 to 11 a.m.NCOs, soldiers and their guests will also receive a special tour of Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknowns on Wednesday, Oct 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.ILW forumsTo emphasize the Annual Meeting’s focus as a Professional Development Forum, the Association’s Institute of Land Warfare will conduct a series of Contemporary Military Forums.At press time, the titles of the forums and the names of the panel participants were not available.All forums will be held in the Convention Center. Dates, participants, times, topics and room numbers will be posted on the Annual Meeting webpage as updated, and will appear in the Annual Meeting Program.AUSA booksAUSA’s book program is conducted in cooperation with Naval Institute Press, The University Press of Kentucky and Helion and Company.Selected authors will speak about their books during the Authors’ Forum, Monday, Oct. 12, from 1 to 5 p.m.Books and authors include:"Forging a Special Operations Force: The US Army Rangers," by Dominic Caraccilo. Published by: Helion and Company (August 2015)"Jutland: World War I’s Greatest Naval Battle," by Michael Epkenhans (editor), Jörg Hillmann (editor), Frank Nägler (editor). Published by: The University Press of Kentucky (September 2015)"Fighting the Cold War: A Soldier’s Memoir," by Gen. John Galvin, USA, Ret. Published by: The University Press of Kentucky (April 2015)"The Battle of Moscow 1941-1942: The Red Army’s Defensive Operations and Counter-offensive along the Moscow Strategic Direction," by Richard W. Harrison. Published by: Helion and Company (June 2015)"Alvin York: A New Biography of the Hero of the Argonne," by Douglas Mastriano. Published by: The University Press of Kentucky (March 2014)"A War of Logistics: Parachutes and Porters in Indochina, 1945-1954," by Charles R. Shrader. Published by: The University Press of Kentucky (October 2015)"Jacob L. Devers: A General’s Life," by James Wheeler. Published by: The University Press of Kentucky (September 2015)"Order in Chaos: The Memoirs of General of Panzer Troops Hermann Balck," English translation edited by Maj. Gen. David T. Zabecki, USA, Ret., and Lt. Col. Dieter J. Biedekarken, USA, Ret. Published by: The University Press of Kentucky (June 2015)Books and authors also will be available throughout the meeting for book signings at the AUSA Pavilion – Booth 407, Exhibit Hall A.All AUSA books will be sold at the pavilion, and Association members receive discounts of up to one-third off individual AUSA books.Institute of Land Warfare Paper PresentationsWednesday, Oct. 14, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.Papers:"Operations Research and the United States Army: A 75th Anniversary Perspective," by Greg H. Parlier. (Land Warfare Paper 105, January 2015)"American Landpower and the Two-war Construct," by Richard D. Hooker Jr. (Land Warfare Paper 106, May 2015)"Integrating Landpower in the Indo–Asia–Pacific through 2020: Analysis of a Theater Army Campaign Design," by Benjamin A. Bennett. (Land Warfare Paper 107, May 2015)AUSA Family ForumsAUSA will conduct five Military Family Forums at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center Oct. 12 – 14 during the Annual Meeting.Military Family Forum I: "A Town Hall with Senior Army Leaders," will be held on Monday, Oct. 12, from 2 to 4 p.m. The forum will feature invited speakers Secretary of the Army John McHugh, the Army chief of staff, Gen. Mark Milley, and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel Dailey. A panel with Army spouses will also be presented.A highlight of this forum will be the introduction and award presentation to the 2015 AUSA Family of the Year.Military Family Forum II: "The Healthy Home Part 1 – Health and Wellness," will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 9 to 11 a.m. This forum will highlight the Performance Triad, impacts of improved nutritional choices, increased physical activity, obesity reduction and decreased tobacco use.Military Family Forum III: "The Healthy Home Part 2 – Resilient Families," will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 13. This forum will focus on the mental health of Army families and effective initiatives aimed at building resilience.On Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 9 to 11 a.m., Military Family Forum IV: "Soldier and Family Readiness – A System of Support," will showcase solutions designed to fit the needs of Army families from all components in keeping families resilient and Total Army Strong.Military Family Forum V: "Transitioning to Veteran or Retiree Status – What Spouses Need to Know," will be held Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 2 to 4 p.m. This forum is designed to provide information to Army spouses on what they can expect when their soldier transitions to veteran or retiree status.Panelists will consist of representatives from the Army Soldier for Life Retirement Services Program, Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Program, the Department of Labor, the Army Career Counselor Branch, and Team Red, White and Blue.For those individuals not able to attend, AUSA is providing a LIVESTREAM option for each of the forums.Go to www.ausa.org/family for information on how to join us online.Seating is limited therefore pre-registration is encouraged. Register at: www.ausaannualmeeting.orgFor questions or help with registration, contact the Family Readiness staff at (800) 336-4570, Ext. 2684, or by e-mailing familyreadiness@ausa.org.Family PavilionAUSA will host the Family Pavilion in the Convention Center’s Exhibit Hall C.This pavilion features organizations currently supporting military families. Exhibit hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.Retiree activitiesThere are three special events scheduled for retirees and veterans at the Annual Meeting.The Retiree Seminar, Monday, Oct. 12, from 2 to 4 p.m., will feature presentations by Army Retirement Services and the Army G-1 (Compensation and Benefit Reform).The seminar will take place in Room 140 A at the Convention Center.Military Retirement Planning Seminars: Briefings on Preparation for Retirement will be conducted on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2 to 4 p.m., and Wednesday, Oct. 14, 10 to 11 a.m.The sessions will focus on retirement planning, and will provide valuable information for those who counsel subordinates on retirement.The Department of the Army Retirement Services Office will conduct these sessions. The sessions will be held in room 104 A at the Convention Center.George Catlett Marshall DinnerLeon Panetta, a former secretary of defense, will receive the Association’s highest award for selfless service to the nation, the George Catlett Marshall Medal, at the Marshall dinner on Wednesday night.He will also address the dinner, the Annual Meeting’s closing event.Annual Meeting informationFor up-to-date information and "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)" on the 2015 Annual Meeting and Exposition – A Professional Development Forum – go to the AUSA Annual Meeting website at http://ausameetings.org/2015annualmeeting.