PUBLISHED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY www.ausa.org May 8, 2025 | AUSA Extra 1 Army refines, speeds transformation W ith the proliferation of drones presenting an “in- flection point” in how war is waged, the Army must complete- ly rethink how it is transforming to meet enemy capabilities, senior Army leaders said. “As we view it, war in the last cou- ple of years in human history has hit an inflection point … and will no lon- ger look like what it has for the past two millennia,” Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said Wednesday at a hear- ing before the House Appropriations subcommittee on defense. Testifying alongside Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, Driscoll said the Army needs to empower soldiers with the tools they need to “fight and overcome any enemy in Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, right, and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, center, examine equipment with Brig. Gen. Phillip Kiniery, director of the Soldier Lethality Cross-Functional Team, during Project Convergence Capstone 5 at Fort Irwin, California. (U.S. ARMY/SGT. 1ST CLASS NICOLE MEJIA) Transformation Requires ‘Sustained Investment’ 3 Army Ramping Up Drone Modernization 4 Government Affairs 2025 AUSA Focus Areas 9 Chapter Highlights Central Texas Las Vegas-MG John C. Fremont 10 IN THIS ISSUE VOLUME 6 NUMBER 52 MAY 8, 2025 See Transformation, Page 6 war,” which will require “a complete rethink” of how soldiers are trained and equipped. Using the recently canceled M10 Booker armored vehicle as an exam- ple of how the Army “got it wrong,” Driscoll said Army senior leaders must “own that” and move out quick- ly to establish better processes, im- prove the way it involves industry partners and keep costs down. With soldiers now providing great- er input and innovation in how new systems are developed, they are transforming and ready to “move out,” George said, adding that it’s change at the higher levels of the Army that is presenting the greater challenge. “The biggest risk here is not changing and not changing fast enough,” George testified. “Every - where [Driscoll] and I go, when we talk to our soldiers, it’s like, ‘OK, let’s move out.’” The Army senior leaders testified just days after the service announced the Army Transformation Initiative, a sweeping effort to “reexamine all requirements and eliminate unnec- essary ones, ruthlessly prioritize fighting formations to directly con- tribute to lethality, and empower leaders at echelon to make hard calls to ensure resources align with stra- tegic objectives,” Driscoll and Randy George wrote in a May 1 message to the force. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described it in an April 30 memoran-NEXT GENERATION MACHINE GUN FIRE CONTROL For use on multiple weapon platforms, the FCS™ 14 is a direct view optic for crew-served weapons - greatly increasing accuracy on both static and moving targets. With compact size/ weight along with user-friendly operation, the system provides the ultimate solution for faster engagements and increased first shot hits. Performance from Trust ™ •Direct view optic with removable thermal imager •Onboard ballistic computer •Integrated laser range finder •Ballistically compensated 2 MOA green dot 014584 CLICK HERE FOR PRODUCT INFORMATION AND DEMO VIDEOSwww.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY May 8, 2025 | AUSA Extra 3 Mingus: Army transforming into leaner, more lethal force T he Army is preparing to com- bat global adversaries with speed and precision as it trans- forms, Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James Mingus said. “The Army is building a force that is leaner, more lethal, and equipped to operate in contested domains with speed and precision,” Mingus said Tuesday in testimony before the House Armed Services subcommittee on readiness. “Under transformation in contact … we are enhancing our tactical networks, rapidly fueling [unmanned aircraft systems], coun- ter-UAS, electronic warfare systems, increasing mobility across our forma- tions.” Today, over 110,000 soldiers are deployed or forward stationed across 140 countries to deter, defend and provide immediate response options, Mingus said. “The Army remains engaged worldwide, responding to immediate security challenges while modernizing to ensure long-term readiness,” Mingus said. Army transformation efforts and investments in training, force pos- ture and modernization “ensure readiness for both immediate and future demands,” he said. Transforming in contact, an ini- tiative that puts new and emerging technologies in soldiers’ hands for testing and experimentation, has al- ready delivered new capabilities and is poised to expand over the next few years. “In the last 10 months, [transform- ing in contact] delivered 11 new capa- bilities and technologies to warfight- ers” in the 101st Airborne Division, 25th Infantry Division, 10th Moun- tain Division and the Army National Guard’s 34th Infantry Division, Min- gus said. In fiscal years 2025 and 2026, “we’ll expand this effort to en- tire divisions and beyond,” he said. At the service level, the new Army Transformation Initiative, which was outlined in a May 1 message to the force from Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, will enable a new era of transformation, Mingus said. “The Army Transformation Initia- tive … expands this transformation in contact,” he said. “It allows us to restructure formations to domi- nate future battlefields, while also advancing the development and de- livery of critical capabilities and end programs that no longer deliver value.” Under the newly announced initia- tives, the Army plans to merge com- mands, restructure units, eliminate staff positions, reform acquisition processes and cancel obsolete pro- grams in favor of unmanned systems, long-range fires and more. Though the Army is ready for war, the service recognizes the need to adapt continually to keep pace with adversaries, Mingus said. “The Army stands ready to defend our nation,” he said. “However, being forward doesn't guarantee we're ahead. Our adversaries are adapting faster than our processes, and our Army cannot afford to treat readiness, moderniza- tion and force structure as separate conversations.” Mingus also warned that a “mod- ern, capable force is not built in a single budget cycle.” “It takes years of sustained invest- ment, careful planning and a com- mitment to keeping pace with an evolving adversary,” he said. “Our adversaries are not waiting for us to catch up, and they are not making the same compromises we are.” Soldiers with the 101st Airborne Division engage targets with a .50-caliber machine gun during Operation Lethal Eagle 25.1 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. (U.S. ARMY/MAJ. JONATHON BLESS) Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James Min- gus addresses an AUSA Coffee Series event April 22 at the association's head- quarters in Arlington, Virginia. (AUSA PHOTO)www.ausa.org 4 AUSA Extra | May 8, 2025 Gen. Bob Brown, USA Ret. President and CEO, AUSA Lt. Gen. Leslie Smith, USA Ret. Vice President, Leadership and Education, AUSA Luc Dunn Editor Desiree Hurlocker Advertising Manager Advertising Information Contact: Fox Associates Inc. 116 W. Kinzie St. • Chicago, IL 60654 Phone: 800-440-0231 Email: adinfo.rmy@foxrep.com ARTICLES. Articles appearing in AUSA Extra do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the officers or members of the Council of Trustees of AUSA, or its editors. Articles are expres- sions of personal opinion and should not be interpreted as reflecting the official opinion of the Department of Defense nor of any branch, command, installation or agency of the Depart- ment of Defense. The publication assumes no responsibility for any unsolicited material. Email: extra@ausa.org ADVERTISING. Neither AUSA Extra, nor its publisher, the Association of the United States Army, makes any representations, warranties or endorsements as to the truth and accuracy of the advertisements appearing herein, and no such representations, warranties or en- dorsements should be implied or inferred from the appearance of the advertisements in the publication. The advertisers are solely respon- sible for the contents of such advertisements. MEMBERSHIP RATES. To celebrate the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday, from April 1, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2025, membership rates are reduced to a five-year Premium rate of $50 and a two- year Premium rate of $30. Lifetime member- ship is $250. A special Premium rate of $10 for two years is open to E1–E4 and cadets only. Two-year Basic membership with select ben- efits is free. Learn more at www.ausa.org/join . Voice for the Army – Support For the Soldier PERK OF THE WEEK ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY Growing drone threat necessitates adaptable, multidomain approach A s drone threats grow and de- velop globally, the Army is investing in small-unmanned aircraft systems and counter-small UAS capabilities, defense leaders said before the House Armed Services tac- tical air and land forces subcommittee. “We fully acknowledge the threat and the proliferation of these sys- tems, both abroad and at home, and we collectively … are acting with urgency,” said Lt. Gen. Robert Col- lins, principal military deputy to the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology. “We are generating momentum, and we are aggressively pressing ahead.” The threat from small-UASs “is present and constantly evolving,” said Maj. Gen. David Stewart, direc- tor of the Joint Counter-Small Un- manned Aircraft Systems Office. “Conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine demonstrate how advances in hardware, software and tactics are making drones more autono- mous, easily acquired and deadlier,” he said during the May 1 hearing. “Compared to the IEDs that killed and injured thousands of American A soldier with the 3rd Infantry Division operates a Skydio X10D unmanned aircraft sys- tem on Monday during training in Hohenfels, Germany. (U.S. ARMY/SPC. HUNTER CARPENTER) Cambridge Credit Counseling is a nonprofit organi- zation that per- forms an in-depth analysis of your financial situation and identifies ways for you to get out of debt as quickly as possible. AUSA members can receive a free budget review at www.cambridge-credit.org/ausa/. service members, UASs are more dangerous because they actively sur- veil, target and deliver lethal effects from the air.” When it comes to detecting small UAS threats, “there is no silver bul- let,” Stewart said. “Each service and each installation will have different circumstances based mostly on the threat. … There are multiple ways to navigate [threats], whether that's using radio frequency, uplink, down- link, using waypoints through satel- lites or loading optics and using the terrain to fly,” he said. “There's no one single way to detect these differ- ent threats, so you need a system of systems approach.” Small UASs remain a threat to U.S. troops, Collins wrote in his written statement to the subcommittee. “The proliferation of [small] UAS presents an evolving and asymmetric threat to United States and allied forces, requiring a layered, adaptable, and multi-domain approach,” he wrote. “We will have to continue to work as a department and with Congress to quickly adapt to the ever-changing landscape.” www.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY May 8, 2025 | AUSA Extra 5 Army announces new space operations specialist MOS R ising space and missile threats require modernized processes, and the Army is creating a new 40D MOS, space op- erations specialist, and broadening its homeland defense capabilities, the commander of Army Space and Mis- sile Defense Command said during a media roundtable. “We need space capability. These soldiers will become the experts we turn to during the next confl ict,” Lt. Gen. Sean Gainey said. “Our Army space professionals support unique assets to interdict or disrupt adversaries’ use of space capabili- ties, ensuring Army forces gain and maintain the initiative to fi ght from positions of relative advantage in all domains.” The new MOS, which is on track to become offi cial by October 2026, will ensure that enlisted soldiers gain ex- Insured by NCUA. Image used for representational purposes only; does not imply government endorsement. © 2025 Navy Federal NFCU 14396 (2-25) Celebrating Those Who Go Above and Beyond Learn more at navyfederal.org/celebrate MAY 1–MAY 31 pertise in space operations, Gainey said. “To date, the preponderance of expertise and experience in space op- erations resides in the offi cer corps instead of the noncommissioned offi - cer corps,” he said. “This new space operations MOS will ensure that spe- cialists through command sergeants major arrive at Army space forma- tions with experience and expertise in space operations.” Army Space and Missile Defense Command is also fi nalizing a new approach to secure the homeland through a broader missile defense system, Gainey said. “As the archi- tecture is fi nalized with the capabili- ties that will potentially, eventually support a Golden Dome-type of de- fense, our formation is expected to have a larger role,” he said. The Army’s air and missile defense capabilities remain critical to the fu- ture fi ght, Gainey said. “Missile defense, air and missile defense, [counter-unmanned air- craft systems] capabilities are criti- cal capabilities on the battlefi eld,” he said. “We're fi nding more and more through lessons learned that being able to operate in a denied or degrad- ed environment is essential.” Soldiers assigned to the 1st Space Brigade construct an expeditionary space control system during air assault training at Fort Carson, Colorado. (U.S. ARMY/BROOKE NEVINS)www.ausa.org 6 AUSA Extra | May 8, 2025 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY Transformation From Page 1 dum as a “comprehensive transfor- mation strategy” to “build a leaner and more lethal force.” Under the transformation plan, Army Futures Command and Army Training and Doctrine Command will merge into one command, and Army Forces Command will merge with U.S. Army South and U.S. Army North into a single headquarters “fo- cused on homeland defense and part- nership with Western Hemisphere allies,” according to the memo. The sustainment enterprise also will be restructured, with the con- solidation and realignment of head- quarters and units within Army Materiel Command. “Our focus is on filling combat formations with Soldiers,” Driscoll and George wrote in their message. “Every role must sharpen the spear or be cut away.” This includes eliminating 1,000 staff positions at Army headquar- ters, the message says. The Army also will restructure Army Aviation by reducing one aerial cavalry squadron per combat aviation brigade in the Regular Army, and “we will consolidate aviation sustainment requirements and increase operation- al readiness,” Driscoll and George’s message says. The Army also will convert all infantry brigade com- bat teams to mobile brigade combat teams to “improve mobility and le- thality in a leaner formation. We are trading weight for speed, and mass for decisive force,” the message says. By 2027, the Army is directed to achieve long-range missiles capable of striking moving land and mari- time targets, electromagnetic and air-littoral dominance and artificial intelligence-driven command and control at theater, corps and division headquarters. It also must improve counter-un- manned aircraft systems mobility and affordability and integrate those capabilities into maneuver platoons by 2026 and companies by 2027. During Wednesday’s hearing, while addressing the ubiquity of drone warfare in the Ukraine con- flict with Russia, Driscoll told law- makers that drone training is now part of basic training, where the Ar- my’s youngest soldiers are learning to consider overhead threats. Driscoll and George also testified that other changes such as smaller command and control posts and con- cealment on the battlefield are top priorities, as are unmanned aircraft systems and counter-unmanned air- craft systems. “The Army has for a very long time said, ‘We own the night,’ and a lot of our offensive capabilities were built around the fact that we own the night,” Driscoll said, “That is no lon- ger sufficient with drones and all of the other sensors. The moment a hu- man being starts to move, the enemy knows.” The Army is going to have to change the way it’s organized, George said. “Drones are going to be in every for- mation, we’re going to have autono- mous systems everywhere, in every formation, whether it’s to protect, detect or attack,” George said. Read the DoD memo here. The Army leaders’ message is here. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, left, conducts a spur ride with soldiers of the 11th Airborne Division April 24 at Black Rapids Training Site, Alaska. (U.S. ARMY/SGT. 1ST CLASS NICOLE MEJIA) Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, right, speaks with soldiers assigned to the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade during a visit to Fort Bliss, Texas. (U.S. ARMY/STAFF SGT. MAURICIO QUEZADA)AUSA’s national scholarships include awards for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs, and general studies. (U.S. ARMY/JOHN HAMILTON) www.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY May 8, 2025 | AUSA Extra 7 YOUR VALUE DRIVEN PARTNER OF CHOICE KRH provides integrated HR solutions and life support services to various clients. KRH is recognized as a well-founded, sustainable, and legal partner to businesses within the region. As industries evolved, KRH is agile in gaining a deep understaning of its clients’ changing needs and reforming its strategies to address new challenges. 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AUSA national scholarship ap- plicants must be active AUSA Pre- mium members, Association Partner members or their children or grand- children. Membership is not a pre- requisite for the Army scholarships administered by AUSA. For more information, including available scholarships, eligibility re- quirements or to apply, click here. AUSA’s national scholarships in- clude awards for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) pro- grams, and general studies. For young professionals with debt from recently completed college cours- es or professional certifi cations, eight $2,500 scholarships are available. AUSA also administers the fol- lowing Army scholarships: the SGM Larry Strickland Memorial Fund and Scholarship, the SGM Dawn Kil- patrick Memorial AUSA Scholarship, and ROTC scholarships.www.ausa.org 8 AUSA Extra | May 8, 2025 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY AUSA hosts Operation Deploy Your Dress event in Hawaii F or the first time since partner- ing in 2017, the Association of the U.S. Army and Operation Deploy Your Dress are teaming up to bring a pop-up event to military and family members in Hawaii. The two-day event at Schofield Barracks will take place May 13–14 in conjunction with AUSA’s LANPAC Symposium and Exposition in Hono- lulu. Volunteers from AUSA and Opera- tion Deploy Your Dress will welcome military or dependent ID card hold- ers of all ranks and services, regard- less of where they’re stationed. Participants will receive one dress, and they will be able to try on the dresses in a fitting room. The popular event and the dresses are free, and registration is not re- quired. “AUSA Family Readiness and AU- SA’s Hawaii chapter are thrilled to bring the popular Operation Deploy Your Dress event to Schofield Bar- racks,” said Holly Dailey, AUSA’s Family Readiness director. “We look forward to seeing mili- tary and family members there, and we will have hundreds of dresses ready to deploy,” she said. The walk-in event is open from 4:30–8 p.m. Hawaii time on May 13, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 14 in the 604 Banquet & Conference Center on Schofield Barracks. For more information, click here. AUSA, led by the Hawaii chapter, and Operation Deploy Your Dress also are collecting dresses for the up- coming event. Donated items can be dropped off at three locations. They are First Command’s Aiea office near Pearl Ridge Mall; Guaranteed Rate at 820 West Hind Drive, Suite 1293 in Honolulu; and Hui O’ Na Wahine Thrift Shop at 2107 Ulrich Way in Wahiawa. Operation Deploy Your Dress was founded in late 2015 at Fort Bliss, Texas, by a group of military spouses who organized a dress swap to lessen the cost of formal wear for holiday balls. The idea quickly grew into an organization run by dozens of volun- teers, offering gently used dresses and accessories to military members and dependents. The group now has 14 shops across the U.S. and one in Germany, run solely by military spouse volunteers. In the past six years, the organi- zation has given away more than 35,000 gowns, saving military fami- lies $3 million, according to the orga- nization’s website. For more information about LAN- PAC, click here.Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, left, commanding general of the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss, Texas, provides a briefing on armored vehicle capabilities to members of a con- gressional delegation April 16 in Powidz, Poland. (U.S. ARMY/SGT. CHARLIE DUKE) www.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY May 8, 2025 | AUSA Extra 9 Focus Areas highlight funding needs, Army transformation I t has been a busy month for the Association of the U.S. Army’s Government Affairs directorate. Our 2025 Focus Areas—key and essential actions required to prop- erly fund, maintain, sustain and modernize a combat-ready, all-volun- teer Army—were recently approved. These legislative recommendations highlight AUSA’s membership ex- ceeding 1.8 million members, how AUSA helps to forge strong part- nerships, and the association’s ef- forts to support warfighting and strengthening the profession. The Focus Areas include 10 recom- mendations for Congress, beginning with supporting the Army’s 250th birthday, ensuring timely and flex- ible funding and authorizations for the service, and supporting Army programs to increase lethality and accelerate transformation. You can view the Focus Areas here. Last week, I attended the Congres- sional Gold Medal ceremony honoring the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. At this event, lawmakers and other leaders highlighted the pa- triotism, courage and commitment to mission of the first and largest all- female, all-African American unit to deploy overseas during World War II. The unit cleared more than 17 mil- lion pieces of mail and package back- log in three months—half the time expected. The Government Affairs team at- tended AUSA’s 2nd, 3rd and 4th Region meetings this month to high- light our Advocacy Campaign Plan with Congress and to encourage chapter leaders to meet locally with senators, representatives and their staff to advocate for the Army. In Washington, Government Af- fairs continues to meet with con- gressional staff and advocate for the Total Army. In our meetings, we emphasize the Army’s critical role in the Indo-Pacific and recommend Con- Government Affairs gress support Army priorities includ- ing warfighting, transformation and quality-of-life initiatives for soldiers and their families. We also are encouraging lawmak- ers to pass the Military Spouse Em- ployment Act and the Major Richard Star Act, legislation aimed at ensur- ing that combat-disabled veterans with less than 20 years of service can receive both their military re- tirement pay and disability compen- sation from the Department of Veter- ans Affairs. Earlier today, Government Affairs participated in a chapter chat with AUSA members from across the na- tion. We discussed how to advocate and provided suggestions to enhance effectiveness. Last week, the administration re- leased a top-level or “skinny" budget, which provided insight into its pri- orities for fiscal year 2026. We an- ticipate a more detailed budget in the coming weeks. The Senate continues to process executive branch nominations and hold confirmation hearings. Many hearings remain to be scheduled, but this week the Senate Armed Services Committee held a confirmation hear- ing for retired Col. Michael Obadal, who has been nominated to be under- secretary of the Army. Both the Senate and House Armed Services Committees continue to hold posture hearings in support of the annual authorizations process. You can view those hearings here and here, respectively. The House Appropriations defense subcommittee held a hearing with the Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George on Wednesday. You can view that hearing here. You can help build momentum for passage of the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act and the 12 appropriations bills—especially defense, military construction and veterans affairs—by contacting your representatives and senators or by meeting with them. We encourage you to meet with lawmakers or their staff as constitu- ents and AUSA members in support of the Total Army. Advocate for AU- SA’s Focus Areas and passage of the legislation mentioned above. Mark Haaland is AUSA’s Government Affairs director.Next >