Associations Joining Forces to Strengthen Army
Associations Joining Forces to Strengthen Army
The Association of the U.S. Army has joined three other military nonprofit groups in producing a 2021 legislative strategy aimed at strengthening the Regular Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserve.
AUSA, the National Guard Association of the United States, the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States and the Reserve Organization of America have agreed to a set of legislative priorities.
There are three basic parts to the coordinated effort.
First, the Army needs help from Congress and DoD to have money, authority and policy to better equip, train and reorganize the force. This effort includes expanding capabilities and implementing a 21st century talent management system across all components.
Second, the Army’s “people first” initiative requires money, authorization and support to build cohesive teams that display diversity, equity and inclusion. This means taking better care of people—soldiers, civilian employees and their families—across all components. It also requires identifying and eliminating institutional practices that inadvertently disadvantage soldiers and civilians, and stomping out prejudicial behavior, sexual assault and harassment.
Third, full funding is required for Army modernization priorities across the three components. This includes funding the National Guard and Reserve Equipment Account, which ensures the components have needed equipment to accomplish their unique mission requirements. Reserve components also need to receive equipment at the same time as the Regular Army and have their training and readiness requirements fully funded.
Four association leaders signed the strategy. They are retired Army Gen. Carter Ham, AUSA president and CEO; retired Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Phillips, Reserve Organization of America executive director; retired Army Brig. Gen. J. Roy Robinson, National Guard Association of the United States president; and retired Command Sgt. Maj. Karen Craig, Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States president.
The full strategy is available here.