A new Association of the U.S. Army event focused on the Army’s warfighters will feature presentations from the service’s top leaders and the new commanding general of Army Forces Command.

The inaugural AUSA Warfighter Summit and Exposition will take place July 27–28 at the Crown Complex near Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The two-day, in-person summit is focused on the warfighter, and its theme is “America’s Response Force: Ready Today, Ready Tomorrow.”

“AUSA is excited to present a new event aimed at the Army’s most important asset—the soldier,” said retired Gen. Bob Brown, AUSA president and CEO. “Our two-day leader and professional development event near one of the Army’s largest and busiest installations will highlight the importance of properly equipping, preparing and supporting those who fight America’s wars.”

Brown added: “We’re looking forward to hearing from our distinguished speakers and learning about the latest industry has to offer.”

Gen. Andrew Poppas, who assumed command of Forces Command July 8, is slated to deliver the opening keynote on July 27.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston are scheduled to be the keynote speakers on the second day, and leaders from Army Special Operations Command, the XVIII Airborne Corps and the 82nd Airborne Division also are slated to speak.

There will be panel discussions focused on how Army operational forces can sharpen their capability to win on a future, expanded battlefield.

Attendees will hear about building family support readiness, equipping the future force, Army special operations and the future of irregular warfare, the nature of the future battlefield, and the Army’s support to NATO allies in Eastern Europe.

There also will be a town hall with Grinston and senior enlisted leaders from across Fort Bragg, and attendees can network with key decision-makers and learn from industry about the latest equipment, products and technologies aimed at addressing warfighters’ needs.

The Warfighter Summit also will feature the Battle Challenge, where participants compete against each other and the clock in a series of military skills and fitness challenges. It is free and open to all attendees.

Additionally, the Defense Technology Symposium will be held in conjunction with the Warfighter Summit. Scheduled for July 26, the day before the summit, the symposium will highlight the advanced technology needs of the Defense Department.

The symposium also will seek to establish a dialog and partnerships between industry, academia and the government to address the future technology needs of America’s warfighters. It will be held at the Fayetteville Technical Community College.

Online registration for the Warfighter Summit is open until July 20. There is no cost for military and government civilian personnel and members of the media. 

On-site registration will be available July 26–28 and will include a higher rate for attendees who are not military and government civilian personnel or media.

All attendees, exhibitors and speakers are to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Masks are optional.

AUSA continues to monitor recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health authorities, and health requirements are subject to change.

For more information or to register, click here. For more on the Defense Technology Symposium, click here.