The Association of the U.S. Army’s 2021 advocacy efforts will focus on people, readiness, modernization and on-time funding, with an eye toward maintaining a balanced set of priorities alongside a new administration and new Congress.

Supporting soldiers from the Regular Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserve, Department of the Army civilians, families, veterans and retirees, AUSA’s focus areas stress the importance of having on-time and sufficient budgets, providing programs and policies that support people, maintaining momentum for the Army’s modernization efforts, and continuing to build the force while supporting soldiers and the employers of National Guard and Reserve soldiers.

AUSA will advocate for on-time passage of the fiscal year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act as well as the defense, military construction and veterans appropriations.

When it comes to people, AUSA supports the Army People Strategy and the service’s diversity and inclusion initiatives, including This is My Squad. AUSA also supports continued efforts to improve quality-of-life programs for soldiers and their families, including housing and barracks, health care, child care, spouse employment and permanent change-of-station issues.

On readiness, AUSA is calling for adequate funding for training and supports the Army’s new Regionally Aligned Readiness and Modernization Model, or ReARMM, which is designed to provide soldiers with more predictability and a more balanced operations tempo.

AUSA also supports incentives for employers to hire and retain Army National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers, and more comprehensive Tricare coverage for Guard and Reserve soldiers and their families.

The association also supports maintaining momentum for the Army’s modernization efforts. In addition to new capabilities and equipment, AUSA also supports continued work to update the Multi-Domain Operations concept, develop a 21st century talent management system, and reform initiatives that make sure the Army is more effective and efficient with every taxpayer dollar.

AUSA developed the 2021 advocacy focus areas after discussions with national staff, senior fellows, region presidents and a region working group, and with feedback from the Army.

You can see the full list of focus areas here.