America’s Army: Globally Responsive, Regionally Engaged," the theme of the Association of the United States Army’s 2013 Annual Meeting and Exposition, 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; and special multimedia presentations and educational workshops that reinforce, examine and showcase the Army, the soldier and the Army family. Walter E. Washington Convention Center and hotelsThis year the AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition will again – for the third consecutive year – occupy the entire Walter E. Washington Convention Center as the Association celebrates its 11th 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, Britain, France, Canada, Australia, Israel, Republic of Korea, Turkey and the Czech Republic. New pavilions highlight small business and veteran hiring eventSmall Business PavilionAUSA will be offering small businesses, including Association corporate members, an opportunity to showcase their products and services to our approximately 30,000 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, and be a first-time exhibitor at the AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition.This opportunity to exhibit is very affordable and waives the AUSA membership fee requirement during the first year.For more information on this program, call Alex Brody at (703) 907-2665, or visit www.ausaannualmeeting.org. Veterans Career Hiring Event PavilionThe American Freedom Foundation, in conjunction with AUSA, will host and produce the W2: Warriors To The Workforce Hiring Event for companies and veterans attending the Annual Meeting and Exposition.Highlights include:There will be 20 different employers exhibiting each day – 60 over the meeting’s three days – conducting scheduled interviews with pre-screened qualified veteran candidates.Workshops with experts will provide resources and information on mental readiness, confidence building, networking, resume writing, interviewing techniques, transitioning from military to civilian life and much more.For more information, contact Michelle Proctor at (615) 522-1029 or michelle.proctor@americanfreedomfoundation.org"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 30,000 members and guests annually.Only AUSA members may purchase tickets for lunches, dinners and receptions in advance of the meeting. Non-members may purchase tickets to the functions on-site at the Convention Center – if available.Anyone may pre-register for the meeting by visiting the AUSA website at www.ausa.org – "Annual Meeting." There is no registration fee. (See ads on Pages 20 and 21.)Lt. Gen. Roger Thompson, USA, Ret., the Association’s vice president for membership and meetings, said, "We are honored to conduct this year’s Annual Meeting and Exposition in support of the United States Army, its soldiers, civilians and families."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 the years of war. This year, exhibits are present on two levels of the convention center."We are excited that the Army intends to include key attendees from Army locations worldwide, and thousands from the region."Adding, "Our volunteer chapters will also be well represented at the Annual Meeting. They provide troops and families around the world with excellent support."The Renaissance Washington DC Hotel, located within walking distance of the Convention Center, will be the meeting’s headquarters hotel. Program highlightsGen. Gordon R. Sullivan, USA, Ret., AUSA president, will host the chapter presidents at their dinner Sunday, Oct. 20.The invited dinner speaker, Gen. David M. Rodriguez, commander, U.S. Africa Command, will brief the Association’s volunteer leadership.On Monday morning, Oct. 21, 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.Gen. Daniel B. Allyn, commanding general, U.S. Army Forces Command, 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, will be the meeting’s keynote speaker.Three luncheons will follow the opening session.The U.S. Army Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier Recognition Luncheon is the venue where the Army Noncommissioned Officer of the Year and Soldier of the Year will be recognized.The Army vice chief of staff, Gen. John F. Campbell, will speak at this luncheon.Gen. Dennis L. Via, who commands U.S. Army Materiel Command, will address the ROTC Luncheon for cadets and PMS personnel.AUSA will host the Corporate Member Luncheon also on Monday. The invited speaker is the under secretary of the Army, Hon. Joseph W. Westphal.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 McHugh, the Army chief of staff, Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, and the sergeant major of the Army, Raymond Chandler.On Tuesday, the Association will host the Congressional Staffers Breakfast, where McHugh will speak to the Hill staffers and Army guests before they tour the exhibit hall.CW5 David Williams, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7, will preside at a professional development seminar for warrant officers on Tuesday, Oct. 22, from 9 to 11 a.m.At the Dwight D. Eisenhower Luncheon, Odierno 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. Reserve componentsLt. Gen. William E. Ingram, director of the Army National Guard, will hold a seminar for Army National Guard personnel on Tuesday, Oct. 22, from 10 to 11:30, and the chief of the Army Reserve, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey W. Talley, will convene a seminar for U.S. Army Reserve personnel on the same day from 2:30 to 4 p.m.From 3 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22, the command sergeant major of the Army National Guard, Brunk Conley, will hold a breakout session for guard NCOs and soldiers, and on Wednesday, Oct. 23, from 9 to 11 a.m., the command sergeant major of the Army Reserve, Luther Thomas, will conduct a breakout session. Army civiliansThe Army Civilian Professional Development Seminar and a luncheon for civilian employees are on Wednesday.Gen. Robert W. Cone, commander, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command has been invited to speak at the civilian luncheon. Sustaining Member LuncheonDr. James N. Miller, under secretary of defense for policy, will speak at the Sustaining Member Luncheon for the Association’s defense industry members on Wednesday, Oct. 23. Special events for NCOs and soldiersSgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III will convene the annual Sergeant Major of the Army Conference for Noncommissioned Officers on Monday at 7 a.m.The NCO Professional Development Forum will be held, Tuesday, Oct. 22, from 8:30 to 11 a.m.This year’s topic is "The Army Profession.""The Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Session is without question a unique opportunity for our soldiers and NCOs attending the 2013AUSA Annual Meeting. The forum will focus on presentations that will deal with our Army as it moves into the future," Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston, USA, Ret., AUSA’s director of NCO and soldier programs, said.NCOs and soldiers will also receive a special tour of Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknowns on Wednesday. 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.Scheduled are:"Enhancing North American Security – Missions at Home," Lt. Gen. Perry Wiggins, commanding general, U.S. Army North and Fifth U.S. Army."The Future of the Army Leader Development," Gen. Raymond Odierno, Army chief of staff."The Army After 2020," Gen. Robert W. Cone, commander, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command."Towards a Ready and Resilient Army," Gen. John F. Campbell, Army vice chief of staff."Equipping the Army of 2020," Hon. Heidi Shyu, assistant secretary of the Army, acquisition, logistics, and technology, and Army acquisition executive."Regionally Aligned Forces and Global Engagement," Gen. Daniel B. Allyn, commander, U.S. Army Forces Command."Strategic Landpower: Applying Army, Marines, and Special Operation Forces to Achieve National Objectives," Gen. Robert W. Cone, commander, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command."Creating Efficiencies and Synergies: Partnering to Succeed in Today’s Economy," Hon. Katherine Hammack, assistant secretary of the Army for installations, energy and environment."Building the Army’s Cyber Forces – Regionally Aligned and Globally Responsive," Lt. Gen. Edward C. Cardon, commander, U.S. Army Cyberspace Command (Invited).(Editor’s note: All forums will be held in the Convention Center. Dates, times, topics and room numbers will be posted on the "Annual Meeting Schedule" webpage as updated, and will appear in the Annual Meeting Program.) ILW papersILW paper presentations are scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 23, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Titles and authors of the papers will be announced at a later date. AUSA booksAUSA’s book program is conducted in cooperation with the Naval Institute Press and The Kentucky University Press.Selected authors will speak about their books during the Authors’ Forum, Monday, Oct. 22, from 1 to 5 p.m.Books and authors to be presented include:"An Unsung Soldier: The Life of Gen. Andrew J. Goodpaster," by Robert S. Jordan, Publisher: Naval Institute Press."Team 19 in Vietnam: An Australian Soldier at War," by Lt Col. David Millie, MBE, Ret., Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky."Losing Vietnam: How America Abandoned Southeast Asia," by Maj. Gen. Ira A. Hunt Jr., USA, Ret., Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky."Generals of the Army: Marshall, Mac-Arthur, Eisenhower, Arnold, Bradley," by James H. Willbanks, editor’ Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky."My Life before the World War, 1860--1917: A Memoir General of the Armies, John J. Pershing," by John T. Greenwood, editor, Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky."Exposing the Third Reich: Colonel Truman Smith in Hitler’s Germany," by Henry G. Gole, Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky.Books and authors also will be available throughout the meeting at the AUSA Pavilion – Booth 407, Exhibit Hall A – for book signings.All AUSA books will be sold at the pavilion, and Association members receive discounts of up to one-third off individual AUSA books. AUSA Family ProgramsAUSA will conduct its Military Family Forums at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Oct. 21 – 23.Military Family Forum I, "Senior Leader’s Town Hall," will be held on Monday, Oct. 21, from 1 to 4 p.m.This will feature Army senior leaders from both the active and reserve components offering their views on the status of the Army family and Army family programs. Leaders and their spouses will answer questions from the in-house and virtual audiences.Presenters will include John McHugh, secretary of the Army; Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, Army chief of staff; Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond Chandler III; Lt. Gen. William E. Ingram Jr., director, Army National Guard; and Lt. Gen. Jeffrey W. Talley, chief, Army Reserve.Also speaking will be Lt. Gen. Michael Ferriter, commanding general, Installation Management Command and assistant chief of staff, installation management.Military Family Forum II, "The Performance Triad: A Holistic Approach to Self-Care," will convene on Tuesday morning, Oct., 22, from 9 a.m. to noon.This forum will explore holistic approaches to caring for one’s self and family. New and innovative programs from the Department of the Army and the Department of Defense will be highlighted.Discussions will outline how the holistic approach to treatment benefits the military community more than the "soldier only" approach of the past, and how organizations and community leaders are using or implementing this tactic in their health and wellness programs to increase strength and resilience within the family unit.Military Family Forum III, "Community Resources: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood," is on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 22, from 2 to 5 p.m.With the majority of military families living outside installations, it’s important for them to be aware of the civilian resources and organizations at their service. This forum will showcase the growing support of military families by civilian organizations through private/public partnerships.The fourth forum, "Expanding Our Reach: Our Neighborhood Knows No Boundaries," Oct. 23, 9 a.m. to noon, explores the rapid expansion of the portable military community through social media and advanced technology in the military family communications arena.Speakers include: Tara Crooks and Star Henderson of Army Wife Network, as well as a panel of leaders and experts in digital communication. This panel will consist of representatives from the National Military Family Association, Blue Star Families, Military Family Learning Network, and the Army Social Media Center highlighting their contributions to and tips for navigating around the online military community.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.udreg.com/ausa/. Family Programs PavilionAUSA will also host the Family Programs 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.For questions or help with registration, contact the Family Programs staff at 1- (800) 336-4570, Ext. 2684, or by e-mailing familyprograms@ausa.org. Retiree activitiesThere are two special events scheduled for retirees and veterans at the Annual Meeting.The Retiree Seminar, Monday, Oct. 21, from 2 to 4 p.m., will feature presentations on Army Retirement Services and the Soldier for Life Program.The seminar will take place in the Convention Center.SBP/Pre-Retirement Briefing, A Pre-Retirement and Survivor Benefit Plan Briefing will be conducted on Wednesday, Oct. 23, from 9 to 11 a.m.This session will focus on those contemplating retirement; however, it has valuable information that can be used by those who counsel subordinates on retirement. Marshall dinnerRobert M. Gates, 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 2013 Annual Meeting and Exposition – A Professional Development Forum – go to the AUSA Annual Meeting website at www.ausameetings.org/annual.