KILLEEN, Texas (Oct. 17, 2024) - Killeen Council members Ramon Alvarez, Jose Segarra, and Joseph Solomon, along with Assistant City Manager Laurie Wilson, participated in the Association for the U.S. Army conference (AUSA) in Washington, D.C. from Oct. 14 - 16.

They joined other community leaders from the AUSA Central Texas Chapter, community partners, and over 30,000 civilians, veterans and active-duty soldiers from both the U.S. and around the world.

This year's event featured prominent speakers, including Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth, Army Chief of Staff, Gen. Randy A. George and Sgt. Maj. of the Army, Michael A. Weimer with a central theme of, "Transforming for a Complex World."

Secretary Wormuth emphasized the Army's strategic pivot towards preparing for large-scale combat operations, marking a significant shift away from a focus on counterinsurgency. She outlined key modernization initiatives, including enhancements to air and missile defense systems and the development of next-generation aircraft like the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA). Additionally, she addressed the Army's recruitment challenges, saying that many young Americans are neither eligible for nor interested in military service. In response, the Army is revamping its recruitment strategies by leveraging technology and outreach to attract a more diverse pool of candidates.

The AUSA conference is the largest land power exposition and professional development forum in North America. The conference consists of networking, informative and relevant presentations on the state of the Army, panel discussions and seminars on national security and the latest technology, family town hall discussions where senior Army leaders answer questions from military families, etc. There are more than 700 exhibitors, showcasing innovative technology and military-related information.

Council member Solomon expressed the importance of community engagement, saying "In today's environment, with ongoing global instability affecting our military forces, it is crucial for communities like Killeen to remain proactive. Staying informed about the latest changes within the Army can have a direct impact on local families and the overall community."

Meanwhile, Councilman Alvarez emphasized the value of engagement with military leadership, remarking, "Participating in events like AUSA ensures that community members are equipped with firsthand knowledge of developments that may affect their lives and livelihoods."

Councilman Segarra commented on the significance of community advocacy, saying, "As a united community, we advocate for our soldiers and their families, ensuring their needs are met and their voices are heard. Events like these allow us to share inspiring stories that illustrate the courage, resilience, and dedication that define our Army. These narratives not only honor our past but also promote growth and strength in our military, both locally and across the nation."

The Army says this is one of the three key communication platforms employed by the Army to educate and inform government, academic, civic and veteran advocates and leadership on Army priorities and issues impacting today's Army. AUSA's Annual Meeting includes the total Army- active duty servicemembers, the National Guard, Reserve members, civilians and family members.