OCTOBER 23, 2024 — “We are a Total Army, by doctrine, by design, by the very nature of our service. The only way that we win is when all of our formations train and fight together,” said Gen. Andrew Poppas, commander, U.S. Army Forces Command, during his Oct. 14, 2024 address to attendees of the Maj. Gen. Robert G. Moorhead National Guard and Army Reserve Breakfast in Washington, D.C.
The breakfast was part of the Association of the United States Army or AUSA Annual Meeting and Convention that also kicked-off on Oct. 14. The event is a key communication platform to inform public advocates and stakeholders as well as family members, about the issues and priorities impacting our Army.
During the breakfast, Poppas and other Army leaders voiced the necessity to elevate the Army’s capabilities to be better prepared to fight in large scale combat operations and do so as a cohesive team. With almost half of the Army’s divisions a part of the Army National Guard, it is imperative they are ready, capable, and lethal.
“It’s a Total Army effort,” Poppas said. “After all, almost half of the U.S. Army’s divisions currently are in the National Guard, and they’re all going to be called upon in that future fight.”
He went on to say, “we rely on the Army Reserve’s unique theater-opening and echelon-above-brigades’ capabilities for this future fight,” he said.
Poppas emphasized that transformation is happening at every echelon of the Army.
“Pay attention to that term: Transformation in Contact, Poppas said. “It’s the Chief of Staff of the Army’s initiative with the number one focus area being war fighting. His number one initiative within that is Transformation in Contact.”
The theme for the annual AUSA 2024 meeting is “Transforming for a Complex World,” and Poppas said transforming is key to Army readiness.
“It’s war fighting,” said Poppas. “We fight and win our nation’s wars and when we’re called upon, your formations provide the capacity and that strategic depth that we need,” he said. “There is war in the future and that includes for your Soldiers overseas today, those coming up on the patch chart and everyone investing in our long-term readiness back here at home.”
Poppas reminded those in the audience that the Army is developing talent over generations; developing capabilities and competencies in Soldiers that we’ll need to carry on for the future fight. He said recruiting and retaining America’s best and transforming our force as we prepare for that future fight is an absolute necessity.
“Soldiers stand ready today to face whatever threats that come our way as a nation, and that readiness extends to all that you do.”
Poppas reiterated the integral role both national guard and U.S. Army Reserve units are a part of with the recent devastation caused by hurricanes Helene and Milton.
“There’s more than 10,000 guardsmen activated from more than a dozen states” Poppas said. “The commitment they’ve shown from air evacuations off hospital roofs to clearing roads and getting to isolated individuals, saving lives, and taking care of our American citizens. It’s what we do. We work together to help our neighbors,” he said.
Poppas also recognized both National Guard and Army Reserve units with the Walter T. Kerwin, Jr. Readiness Award for Army’s Most Outstanding National Guard unit and Most Outstanding U.S Army Reserve unit. The 1st Battalion, 194th Armored Brigade, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division of the Minnesota National Guard; and the 448th Civil Affairs Battalion, U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), U.S. Army Reserve, received this year’s 2024 outstanding unit awards.
By FORSCOM Public Affairs