The Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) has kicked off its annual meeting in Washington, D.C., drawing expected attendance of 40,000 amid ongoing government shutdown challenges. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has emphasized urgent reforms in military acquisition processes, seeking to model innovation on Silicon Valley, while announcing plans to shift procurement strategies and reduce dependence on traditional defense contractors. Notably, the AUSA has donated over $1 million to assist conference travel for senior leaders, addressing concerns of missed paychecks for troops. Key topics at the conference include modernization initiatives, drone warfare, and counter-UAS strategies, positioning the Army towards a transformative future.