The Association of the United States Army (AUSA) was established in 1950 with the mission to assist America’s Army and support our soldiers in their commitment to protecting our nation’s freedom and security.The AUSA Family Programs Directorate was established in 1999 with the mission: Focus on the needs of the Army family by providing information, resources, assistance and representation.The Family Programs staff is dedicated to helping our families become better prepared to cope with and manage the many challenges of military life and to support them as the needs arise."Supporting" our...
We have been an Army at war for the past decade. Our Army has proven itself in what I consider to be the most difficult conditions this nation has ever faced. I can proudly boast that this incredible Army is truly one Army. Like no other time in recent history, the synergy between our components – Active, Guard, and Reserve – as well as the relationship between Special Operations Forces and conventional forces is as strong as it has ever been, bonded together by a decade of war.We will work together as we move forward to ensure that these bonds stay very strong.Our leaders’ focus and our...
Congress approves changes to TRICARE dental program for survivors. Congress recently passed legislation that affects the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) survivor benefits. The TDP survivor benefit is now available to a larger segment of the military population and provides extended care to children of survivors.Here are some of the key changes:Survivors do not need to have prior enrollment in the TDP at the time of the sponsor’s death to receive the TDP Survivor Benefit. In the past, enrollment was required to be eligible for benefits.Surviving children are eligible to receive survivor benefits...
"I deeply appreciate the opportunity to address this conference – yours is the first service organization that I’ve addressed as Secretary of Defense."My own life in public service began when I served two years as an Army intelligence officer, that was over 40 years ago, where I learned what it meant to work together to achieve a common mission."So I have a deep and abiding respect for the United States Army and all it has done to defend our great country, for the past decade and for the past 236 years of the Army’s history." Secretary of Defense Leon PanettaAUSA Annual Meeting Special Session...
This report describes the life cycle of AUSA’s grassroots work from the creation of the Association’s annual resolutions to the creation of the next set of resolutions.The resolutions are produced annually, and act as the basis for our legislative objectives for the year.Chapters or individual members may submit proposed resolutions until July of each year.The National Resolutions Committee membership, usually numbering about 14 AUSA members, is nominated by chapters and approved by the Council of Trustees.The committee meets in Washington for three days before the Annual Meeting, and receives...
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 for consideration at its meeting at AUSA headquarters in late January.Four serving council members, Marillyn Hewson, Maj. Gen. Patricia P. Hickerson, USA, Ret., Dennis A. Muilenburg and Gen. Carl E. Vuono, USA, Ret., were nominated to serve as trustees for three-year terms.A new nominee, Robert T. Murphy, was nominated to serve his first three-year term.In addition, Thomas W. Rabaut, deputy chairman and chief executive officer, was nominated...
"I deeply appreciate the opportunity to address this conference – yours is the first service organization that I’ve addressed as Secretary of Defense."My own life in public service began when I served two years as an Army intelligence officer, that was over 40 years ago, where I learned what it meant to work together to achieve a common mission."So I have a deep and abiding respect for the United States Army and all it has done to defend our great country, for the past decade and for the past 236 years of the Army’s history." Secretary of Defense Leon PanettaAUSA Annual Meeting Special Session...
First, let me thank each of you who work tirelessly, representing our Soldiers, Civilians, and Families on Capitol Hill and educating senior civilian leaders about the needs of the force.The Association of the United States Army continues to play a huge role, lobbying for the equipment, pay, and benefits that help us maintain our place as the best Army in the world. For over 60 years, you have supported America’s Army, and for that I extend my thanks and appreciation.This month marks my first year as the Sergeant Major of the Army, and I can say without a doubt, I’m proud to be associated with...
Now in its 62nd year, the Association of the U.S. Army has been the "Voice for the Army – Support for the Soldier."AUSA has been educating the members of Congress and the general public on the critical issues that directly affect the men and women of the U.S. Army – and their families – who are proudly serving our country.AUSA membership is open to all Army components – active, Army National Guard and Army Reserve.Also retirees, veterans, government civilians, business men and women, industry representatives, military academy and ROTC cadets, family members and concerned citizens are invited...
After 10 years at war, the sacrifices of American soldiers and their families continue to be admired by the American public.The people’s respect and generosity, even in difficult economic times, remains one of the strengths of our nation.Despite this backing, military retirement and retiree health care programs are under attack by those who view the programs as "overly generous."With the physical and emotional burdens on our Army and its soldiers and families increasing during more than 10 years of war, we must be vigilant and vocal if we are to secure a respectable future for those who have...
The Army is looking for increased opportunities to partner with allies in Asia, including both Korea and Japan.Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno recently returned from a trip to the Pacific region, including Korea and Japan, as well as other parts of Pacific Command to include Hawaii and Alaska.Odierno spoke Jan. 25 at a breakfast hosted by the Association of the United States Army’s Institute of Land Warfare in Arlington, Va.In Japan, the general met with the Japanese minister of defense and the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force commander."Both expressed their optimism and...
High school football stars, Army soldiers and wounded warriors from Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, gathered at the Alamodome Jan. 5 for a punt, pass and kick event held in conjunction with the U.S. Army All-American Bowl taking place Saturday Jan. 6.The game, in its 12th year, features high school football players from around the nation in an East versus West battle. The bowl also offers an opportunity for many of these players to announce where they will be playing college football."You meet a lot of amazing people out here. It’s more than you see on TV," Shane Callahan, a...
The Army’s 28th Annual Army Ten-Miler, the third largest 10-mile race in the world, is set for Oct. 21 at the Pentagon in Washington.Produced by the U.S. Army Military District of Washington, the annual Army Ten-Miler features a world class race that attracts over 30,000 runners.The event also has a two-day Health and Fitness EXPO with over 75 exhibitors and vendors and over 35,000 attendees.Acclaimed for its fast, scenic course – passing by many national landmarks and monuments in our nation’s Capital – the Army’s race is the only running event to start and finish at the Pentagon.Race...
The thunderous sound of a 21-gun salute echoed across Washington and Northern Virginia as Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli retired from the Army at a ceremony held Jan. 31 at Joint Base Myer – Henderson Hall.Chiarelli, who served in the Army for 40 years, was the service’s vice chief of staff for the past three years.The event was hosted by the Army chief of staff, Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, and attended by lawmakers, Department of Defense and Army officials and senior military officers.Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta used the Italian phrase "buon uomo," meaning "good man," to describe Chiarelli, a man...
Spending priorities in the forthcoming Fiscal Year 2013 defense budget request call for reductions in the end strength of the Army and Marine Corps, an increase in special operations forces and maintaining the number of big-deck carriers, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said Jan. 26 at the Pentagon.The Pentagon’s budget top-line request is set at $525 billion for fiscal 2013 with an additional $88.4 billion for overseas contingency operations – mostly in Afghanistan.This is down from $531 billion and $115 billion, respectively, in this fiscal year.Defense Department officials used the new...