Eight contemporary military forums and three family forums will be part of the Association of the U.S. Army’s Annual Meeting and Exposition in October.

The hashtag for the Oct. 10–12 event at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., is #AUSA2022, with many programs shaped around the theme, “Building the Army of 2030.”

Topics for the 11 forums are framed around the Army’s top priorities at a time of broad transformation that includes capabilities, doctrine, organizational structure and efforts to improve programs for soldiers, Army civilians and their families. Each forum will include a combination of current and former Army leaders and outside experts.

The program will also include keynote speeches by Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth and Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville, who are expected to provide status reports on where the Army stands today and a roadmap for the future.

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston is also expected to speak at several events.

It is no surprise that several forums will focus on modernization. One panel concentrates on cyber and information warfare, especially what the Army requires on the digital battlefields of the future. Another panel discusses combat capability modernization, especially looking at how early experimentation and testing can shape programs. 

In a wider look, another panel discussing future fights will concentrate on operational concepts and doctrine, including new organizations and new leadership development and training strategies.

Recruiting challenges will be discussed in another panel that touches on inspiring people to join the Army and taking steps to retain those who have joined. 

Two theater-focused forums are planned. One will look at land power in Europe, which will include the contested European theater and how the U.S., NATO and other allies are responding to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and how the U.S. needs to make adjustments to gain strategic flexibility. Another forum continues the Army’s close study of deterrence in the Indo-Pacific and the Arctic, discussing current and future threats and what adjustments might be required in doctrine and capabilities.

The Army’s top priority—people—is the subject of a forum that looks at a variety of programs to improve the quality of life and reduce stress and uncertainty.

Climate change and its impact on national security will be the topic of another forum.

The three family forums will include the popular town hall discussion where senior Army leaders answer questions from military families.

While the topics are set, the speakers and schedule for the forums have not been finalized. More information and any updates are available online at the Annual Meeting website.