Five Army family-related seminars will be part of the 2015 annual meeting of the Association of the U.S. Army, including a town hall meeting with Army leaders and a forum aimed at smoothing a family’s transition when a soldier leaves the service. The seminars are scattered over the three days of AUSA’s Annual Meeting and Exposition, to be held Oct. 12 to 14 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Typically drawing 26,000 people to the largest land power event in North America, the professional development forum and more than 500 exhibits are free to anyone who has an identifiable relationship with the Army, which includes military family members. Patricia Barron, AUSA’s Family Readiness director, said the events are designed to improve the lives of soldiers’ families. “The Army has invested large resources and dollars to increase the physical and mental well-being of its soldiers and family members and prepare them for a life in and out of the military,” Barron said. “These forums are focused on providing real solutions and information that can be used, and used immediately.” The first family forum, scheduled for Monday, Oct. 12, is a town hall meeting with Army leaders and a panel of distinguished spouses answering policy questions. Army Secretary John M. McHugh, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley and Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel A. Dailey will be part of one panel. Two health-related family discussions are scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 13. The morning event looks at health promotion and wellness. The afternoon forum discusses how communities are helping Army families. On Wednesday, Oct. 14, the morning session looks at the soldier and family support systems for the active Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserve. The afternoon program focuses on transition from the Army community for spouses of retiring or separating soldiers. Click here for more details.