Letter from the President

Army, Feb 2005 by Sullivan, Gordon R

As I begin the eighth year as President of our great Association, I am struck by how superbly AUSA serves as the voice of the Army. I am pleased with all the wonderful support activities our chapters have been delivering in very innovative and unique ways to our troops and their families. One has only to visit our web site at www.ausa.org daily to see what our chapters are delivering in programs and services. A special thanks goes to our chapter leaders and members for this special effort.

AUSA's other departments experienced equal successes in 2004. Industry Affairs had its most successful year yet in forging the Army-industry partnership. Needless to say, our second year at the new Washington, D.C. Convention Center was better than ever in programs, displays and attendance.

Our messages for the Army have been very effectively delivered by our outstanding publications: ARMY Magazine, AUSA NEWS and the products of the Institute of Land Warfare. These, coupled with our web site, have allowed us to be even more effective as the voice for the Army.

Your grassroots work in the chapters-local and state-has had positive impact in our resolutions and legislative program. Participation at individual member and chapter levels has increased substantially in bringing the AUSA message for the Army to our elected representatives on Capitol Hill and to hometown offices of senators and representatives. If you are not receiving our weekly Legislative News, sign up now on our web site (www.ausa.org/ legislation).

Like AUSA, our Army had a significant and successful year in 2004. While we have lost soldiers in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan and have had others wounded, our magnificent troops have made a difference. Army values inculcated into the Warrior Ethos are evident daily from the training base to the combat zone.

Our chapter programs and activities supporting these soldiers and their families will be needed just as much in 2005 as they were in 2004. Keep up the good work.

The new year finds our Army at war and securing this nation, resetting the force and transforming the force for the future. This Army has about 650,000 soldiers on active duty, some 145,000 of them mobilized reserve component soldiers. The year 2005 will find the Army as challenged as that of Gen. George C. Marshall in World War II. We are fortunate to have a superb leadership team with secretary Francis J. Harvey and Chief of Staff Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker setting the course for our Army.

For 2005, the Army will continue to carry the torch in the global war on terrorism, securing the homeland while simultaneously resetting the force and transforming to the Future Force. This will take time, energy and resources. While time and energy are open-ended with today's very busy Army, the resources arena offers both opportunity and challenge.

It is time for the Army share of the DoD budget to be reapportioned above the traditional 24 percent that DoD allocates in its budget formulation. Today's Army cannot be resourced on 24 percent plus supplementals; it is neither proper nor responsible stewardship. National defense is a shared responsibility. In 2005 and out, the administration and Congress should reapportion the DoD budget to reflect the reality of "boots on the ground" and fund the Army at a 28 percent budget share-and even that will not be adequate for the current fight. The Army must continue to man, train, deploy, refit/refresh, fight and transform for today's war-all while transforming for tomorrow's war.

We cannot allow the Army to mortgage its future by short-changing long-term readiness (training, developing, equipping, transforming) for today's near-term war fight.

Likewise, the size of the Army must not be minimized because of budget size. The force must be sized to fight, train, develop, refresh, reset and maintain for the needs of today and tomorrow. And the propersized force must be adequately funded without jeopardizing the other requirements of equipping, training, developing and fielding. Today's Army end strength is authorized at about 510,000. We believe the Army should be sized and funded for an end strength of at least 540,000.

These two significant challenges of budget share and end strength are also opportunities for AUSA to support the Army, its soldiers and their families. Our dedication to supporting the soldier includes all who "soldier" for this great Army: Army civilians, Army contractors, Army retirees, Army veterans, Army families and Army soldiers-active, Guard and Reserve.

Our resolve remains strong, our focus keen and our energy directed as we help create opportunities to support our Army with the challenges ahead. Where we stand is evident.

We stand for the American soldier, past, present and future.

Gordon R Sullivan

Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan