The Association of the United States Army is a nonprofit educational and professional development association serving America’s Army and supporters of a strong national defense. AUSA provides a voice for the Army, supports the Soldier, and honors those who have served in order to advance the security of the nation.

Our Mission

AUSA supports soldiers, their families and Army civilians, provides a voice for the Army, and honors those who have served. As the Army’s premier, nonprofit, educational and professional association, we: 

• Educate those we serve (soldiers and their families, Army civilians, retired soldiers and veterans, and the businesses and industries that support the Army) with programs, products, resources and events…
• Inform our members, Congress and the American public about issues affecting America’s Army – Regular Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserve, and…
• Connect America’s Total Army, its industry partners, like-minded associations and other supporters at the national, regional and chapter levels.

Our Vision

To be recognized by the Army, Congress, our industry partners and communities across the nation as the Army’s premier association and the foremost supporter of the Total Army.

Our Guiding Principles

• Dedication
  We are dedicated to our mission and to our members, displaying it through our service and commitment. 
• Innovation
  We value innovative approaches to programs and technology. 
• Excellence
  We value, encourage, recognize and reward excellence. 
• Integrity
  We expect integrity within ourselves and our stakeholders.
• Nonpartisan
  In all we do, we are nonpartisan and apolitical.

Who Can Join?

AUSA is open to everyone, whether you have a relationship with the US Army, or would simply like to offer your support to our soldiers.  All Army ranks and all components are represented in AUSA-- including Regular Army, National Guard, Army Reserve, Government Civilians, Retirees, Wounded Warriors, Veterans, concerned citizens and family members. Indeed AUSA welcomes anyone who subscribes to the philosophy of a strong national defense with special concern for the Army. Community businesses and defense industry companies are also vital and contributing members of AUSA.  Join Now!

Why you Should Support AUSA

Whether you are interested in membership, making a donation, or want to participate in an AUSA event there are a number of reasons why you should lend your support to AUSA.  

The Only Professional Association for the Entire Army

AUSA is here to serve the entire Army - Regular Army, National Guard, Reserve, Retired Soldiers, Government Civilians, Wounded Warriors, Veterans, concerned citizens and family members.

Advocacy

AUSA speaks out for the men and women of the United States Army who proudly serve our country.  

Networking and Local Community Involvement

AUSA has 122 chapters located worldwide. Made up entirely of volunteers, they provide recreational and educational opportunities to Soldiers and their families. AUSA and its chapters contribute over $5,000,000 to awards, scholarships, and support of soldier and family programs annually. Their mission is to support our Soldiers and the civilians and families who work alongside of them in the local community.

Professional and Educational Benefits

AUSA is your professional association. As an Army professional, you need to keep current on issues that affect you in the work place and network with other soldiers, retirees, veterans and the defense industry. AUSA offers you the opportunity to accomplish this through its numerous publications and events such as the Annual Meeting, AUSA Breakfasts, Hot Topics and the Global Force Symposium.

Our History

Born on July 5, 1950, the Association of the United States Army had a clear purpose. America’s foundational military force needed to speak with one voice.

In a joint message, a group of World War II wartime leaders accustomed to protecting their service branch showed they were ready to lock arms for a loftier cause. 

“Let us put our resources and efforts into an association that can keep in the forefront the importance and requirements of the cutting edge of our national defense – in particular, the needs of the soldiers and their families that are the Army,” declared top Army leaders from the Infantry Association and Field Artillery Association.

AUSA’s first president was Gen. Wade H. Haislip, an infantry officer serving as Army vice chief of staff. President Harry S. Truman, a former artilleryman, was the honorary president. Seventy years later, AUSA has expanded, but its purpose hasn’t changed. As an educational nonprofit, AUSA aims to be the Army’s professional association, dedicated to educational development, advancing national security and promoting greater recognition of the Army’s vital role in American life, past, present and future.

AUSA is a growing organization, tripling its membership since 2017, with plans to continue expanding its size, reach and influence.

DoD Disclaimer

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information on all AUSA products does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

Since 1950, the Association of the United States Army has worked to support all aspects of national security while advancing the interests of America's Army and the men and women who serve.  Our website offers a wide variety of professional development resources for Army soldiers, and their families.

Programs

AUSA is the professional association of the Army.  Army professionals need to keep current on issues that affect them in the work place. AUSA offers soldiers the opportunities to accomplish this at its Annual Meeting, AUSA Breakfasts, Hot Topics and the Global Force Symposium.  

Army National Guard

The National Guard is a unique and essential element of the U.S. military. Founded in 1636 as a citizen force organized to protect families and towns from hostile attacks, today’s National Guard Soldiers hold civilian jobs or attend college while maintaining their military training part time, always ready to defend the American way of life in the event of an emergency.

National Guard Soldiers serve both community and country. Our versatility enables us to respond to domestic emergencies, overseas combat missions, counterdrug efforts, reconstruction missions and more. The Guard always responds with speed, strength and efficiency, helping to defend American freedom and ideals.

What AUSA is doing for the Army National Guard

Army Reserve

The Army Reserve provides trained, equipped and ready Soldiers, Leaders, and Units to meet America’s requirements at home and abroad.

Army Reserve forces are always available for the needs of the Army and the Joint Force. The Army Reserve falls under the day-to-day command and control of the president and the secretary of defense. Army Reserve Soldiers and units can be used by the Joint Force for missions in peacetime and in wartime, during training and when mobilized, for planning and for operations.

What AUSA is doing for the Army Reserve

Department of the Army Civilians and Military Technicians

In 1776 the Board of War and Ordnance was established with the responsibility of equipping and dispatching troops; maintaining personnel records and disbursing funds. Five members of the Continental Congress, several clerks and a paid secretary – Richard Peters, the first Army Civilian – comprised the Board. Subsequently the Continental Army hired Civilians for driving, crafts, carpentry, and laborer jobs.

Today Civilians have skills that are crucial to the support of military operations and provide a full complement to the military’s occupational specialties.  Civilians are integral part of United States Army and support all facets of the Army mission which frees Soldiers to perform innately military functions. Additionally, Civilians possess critical skills which assure continuity of operations for all components.

What AUSA is doing for DACs and Miltechs

Noncommissioned Officers and Soldiers

For more than 240 years the American Soldier has answered the call to action and in every era of conflict and war, the professional Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) has played a significant role as a leader of Soldiers. The roles and responsibilities of the NCO have always been to lead, mentor, and train Soldiers while enforcing standards. The NCO Creed galvanizes the idea that NCOs are professional Soldiers who are also members of a time-honored corps known as "The Backbone of the Army."

What AUSA is doing for the NCOs and Soldiers

Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)

Officers in the Army possess the skills necessary to lead others through the most challenging of circumstances.

The Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) was born when President Woodrow Wilson signed the National Defense Act of 1916. Since its inception, ArmyROTC has provided leadership and military training at schools and universities across the country and has commissioned more than a half million Officers. It is the largest commissioning source in the American military.

Army ROTC is a diverse group of men and women with more than 20,000 Cadets currently enrolled. 

What AUSA is doing for the ROTC

Retired Solidiers and Veterans

Soldier for Life.  Once a Soldier, Always a Soldier.  

The Soldier for Life mindset is a holistic approach to the military life cycle career of a Soldier. The U.S. Army takes care of teammates by ensuring Soldiers start strong, serve strong, and reintegrate strong so they remain Army Strong serving their communities after they leave the Army. The U.S. Army's strategic imperative of sustaining the All Volunteer Army is directly affected by how well the veterans reintegrate back into the communities. Gen. George Washington said:The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation. 

What AUSA is doing for Retired Soldiers and Veterans

Family Readiness

The Family Readiness Directorate is dedicated to providing Army families the tools and resources they need to help them manage the challenges of the military life cycle. Through four pillars of support; education, information, advocacy, and outreach, AUSA Family Readiness aims to connect with Army families, both past and present, in tangible and impactful ways.

What AUSA is doing for Military Families

Resources

Blended Retirement System Resources

A collection of resources related to the military's new Blended Retirement System

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Book Program

The AUSA Book Program offers quality military-related books about Army heritage, military theory and policy, and military force in the modern world. One of its goals is to foster an understanding of the emerging security environment. This program permits AUSA members to purchase these titles at a discounted rate.

Learn More

Career Center

Find your next job at AUSA's Career Center. In addition, our Career Center offers professional services to help you build and manage your career for maximum potential for success, including a Career Learning Center, Reference Checking, Resume Writing, and Career Coaching.  

Explore

Scholarships

AUSA has scholarship opportunities for both active soldiers and veterans.  

Learn More

Young Professionals

The Association of the United States Army is the association for young professionals and emerging leaders who are Soldiers, veterans, family members, government civilians, or supporters of the Army and in search of professional development and networking opportunities.

Connect

THE ARMY CASEWORK GUIDE - 115TH CONGRESS

The Army Casework Guide, a product of the U.S. Army Office of the Chief Legislative Liaison, provides valuable information about issues affecting current and former Soldiers, their families, and Army civilians and illustrates how Congressional staff members can respond to constituent inquiries on a wide range of subjects.  Topics covered include recruiting, Family Programs, Military Health Care, awards and decorations, personnel records, and many more.

Download