The Association of the U.S. Army is focusing its efforts on a strategic plan with an eye toward 2025, retired Gen. Carter Ham, AUSA’s president and CEO, told the association’s chapter leaders.

The strategic plan, which is a directive from AUSA’s Council of Trustees, aligns with a significant year for both the Army and the association – the Army’s 250th birthday and AUSA’s 75th anniversary, Ham said.

“It’s far enough in the future so that our thinking doesn’t need to be captured or confined to the realities of the next budget cycle, and we can stretch our thinking a little bit,” Ham said. 

Ham, speaking Oct. 13 at the AUSA Chapter Presidents Dinner, told the chapter leaders that a strategic planning facilitator will meet with them during AUSA’s Annual Meeting and Exposition for input on “how we might best posture ourselves for an operating environment that’s probably going to be different than today.”

The annual meeting is Oct. 14-16 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

Ham also lauded attendees for their efforts over the past year as AUSA approaches record membership numbers, but he urged continued improvement, noting a decline in community partners.  

“What I’d really ask you to focus on in this coming year is to find ways to collaborate with each other,” he said. “Share your ideas and best practices. Contribute to AUSA Extra, send us your stories for the website, help us share and highlight the great things you are doing, and in so doing, help our association continue to improve.”

He also encouraged the chapter leaders to continue supporting the Army’s recruiting and retention efforts.

“Our challenge is to help the Army make a difference,” he said. “Find more and more ways to support recruiters in your chapter. That includes Army National Guard and Army Reserve. Help get access to high schools, colleges and junior colleges.”