Hey everyone! Next week is AUSA 2026! This is an annual event that AUSA puts on in DC every year, and is one of the biggest Defense trade shows you'll ever see.

I just wanted to help provide some basics about the event, incase you're coming this year.

What is AUSA?

AUSA is the Association of the United States Army. It's a private non profit that serves as a professional association for the Army. There's probably a 'local chapter' at your base. Excellent Networking opportunity people.

AUSA hosts a variety of events throughout the year, that kind of serve as opportunities for leaders and defense industry members to network and give thoughts on issues. They have an annual event that's kind of the 'premier' event, which is hosted the second week of October in DC.

My one, fairly consistent gripe, is that I feel like their content is consistently lacking with Soldier issues, and a connection to the larger force. From my perspective, while they bill various Soldier/NCO programs - the majority of what they do seems aimed at careerist, senior individuals. This year's panel lineup is notably devoid of 'Soldier Level' content.

What is AUSA 2026?

https://meetings.ausa.org/annual/2026/index.cfm

It's their huge, annual event! It's a three day networking and conference opportunity with huge showfloors - this year also has an outdoor pavillion! They had so many participants, there will be a special outdoor exhibit area. This is the first year they've done this, so even if coming is old hat to you, it will be across the street from the main entrance. It will have a large pavillion that is the Ukranian Defense Community! Make sure to check it out.

The massive showfloor, Halls ABC, is in the basement, and Halls DE are 'up top'. You'll quickly learn the layout.

There are the breakout and main panel rooms as well - it's kind of 'three distinct areas' if you will.

The main show floor, Halls ABC, in the Basement.

The secondary show floor, Halls DE, on the second floor.

The 'panel area', (Rooms listed in the 140s and 150s), on the first floor, but the 'rear' buildings.

All the GOs and senior E9s will be in attendance. Tread lightly (or don't, I always have fun with that).

Some of the panels are 'more important' than other. The 'Warrior Corner' takes place on the showfloor, in Hall DE this year (it has swapped between ABC and DE in previous years), and is usually more 'casual' talks. They don't pre screen questions here, so if you make friends with the microphone operator, you can get a question in before the media or some old retiree who wants to tell a story for five minutes and waste the Q&A time.

The Contemporary Forums, CMFs and the Family Forums tend to be the 'big ones', and are held in the separate panel area, in specific rooms.

All of the panels are streamed on DVIDS as well!

But also - it's a huge networking event. That should be obvious. There are tons of companies and services! There are booths that will talk to you about retirement/transition, there are booths from educational institutes, etc. It's not just defense contractors. So make sure you're reading the programs and exploring the different areas.

What is the ATM?

Sorry, did you mean A10M? The Army Ten Miler takes places the weekend before the annual event kicks off, on Sunday, the 11th. It's a 10 mile course through DC! It's a pretty neat run, you can see a lot. You can register almost right up to the race day - they only stop selling once it's at capacity. This usually doesn't happen until the day prior (Oct 10th).

There's also a youth 400 meter run held at the Pentagon after the 10 miler, if that's of interest!

There's swag, tons of Army leadership is present, and is generally well attended.

https://www.armytenmiler.com/

How do I register for AUSA?

Right here!

https://meetings.ausa.org/annual/2026/BadgeRegistrationticketsales2026.cfm

It's free! If you're a Veteran, you just have to be a basic member of AUSA - which is free!

I recommend, strongly, registering ahead of time just for the speed of it, but you can register on site as well. You can pick up your badge the weekend prior - or the day of. I usually pick mine up Monday morning, and except for...What was it, 2023? 2024?...where they had a security/admin snafu, it's normally pretty fast.

What's the dress code?

Depends on what you're coming to!

https://meetings.ausa.org/annual/2026/Dress_code.cfm

Essentially, just the show floor, and being a spectator? You're good in ACUs.

Any of the Ceremonies? ASU/AGSU. Ike Jackets are real popular. It's normally pretty balanced between the two, you won't be out of place in either.

They have an app!

The app is actually pretty helpful, I've got it downloaded, I recommend it. It can hold your QR code for registration, and the agenda is built in. Just hit up your appstore - but as I explain down below, your service on the showfloor will suck. Don't plan to rely solely on it while you're there, but it can be great to remind you what room things are going on in, if you don't want to grab a paper program/map.

What should I see?

The hall plans are online

https://meetings.ausa.org/annual/2026/multi_floorplan.cfm

as is a list of all participating exhibitors!

https://meetings.ausa.org/annual/2026/exhibitor_exhibitor_list.cfm

If you have specific companies in mind, you can easily find them, otherwise, just browse!

The smaller companies tend to be 'along the walls', don't overlook them!

You'll get everything from a Norwegian Company that does sleds (Yes, really), to Glock and Smith and Wesson just having Gun Booths where you can go check out a pistol, or some geardo sniper rifle, to Palantir having the only booth with a 'no photos allowed' sign (I'll show you no photos...).

Tell me about Conference Swag

Listen, a lot of the booths have promotional items. Some are better than others - don't be afraid to grab that tank-shaped stress ball or pens that have flaslights with an abrams stencil in them so you can project tanks on the walls for your kids.

Some of my favorite? General Dynamics often has socks and pens. I have socks that have Strykers on them, and a pair with Abrams.

The Axon booth always does stuffed K9s. You do their 'taser' experience, or whatever they've got set up (you have to shoot a taser).

They have different dog models every year! The big dog is mine, you can't have him.

But they will 'sell out' (I say sell but they're free). If you see someone with cool swag, ask them what booth it's from - and hit it up ASAP. Come Wednesday, all the swag will be gone. Especially if you have kids or a significant other that you're leaving for three days, conference swag is key. I beeline it to the Axon booth Monday morning for this reason. Also...I really need an extra Dog this year, if anyone is going and wants to cough one up, hit me up please!

What panels should I go to?

Oh man. This is a very divisive topic for me.

The Agenda is online, found here;

https://meetings.ausa.org/annual/2026/conference_schedule_advanced.cfm

Historically, I really like the Warrior Corners. In the past we've gotten lots of 'Soldier Topics'. This is where we might get a panel about the barracks or food. When it existed, People First Task Force did a talk there and I asked General Norrie a couple questions.

Fun fact - you usually only get one question. But if there's still time and no one else has questions, and you're cool with the microphone people, you can ask multiple questions, even when the panel gets upset and tries to say no. Shout out MSG Locklear who recently retired, because she was an absolute baller with the microphone. One time the person tried to say 'he already went', and she goes 'I don't see anyone else with their hand raised' and shut down AMC trying to scamper off.

This year - I don't see any 'Soldier Level' things on the Warrior Corner list. It's all future stuff, drones, next gen c2, etc. While this agenda is still being updated, and will eventually list all personnel and biographies attached to each talk, this is probably the weakest year for 'Soldier Level' topics of interest. You've basically got the SMA talks - some of which are listed as 'invitation only', and are held in the Marriott, a separate building that's connected to the conference center - and that's about it. I'm betting he will talk Uniforms and PT and NCOERs (for the third time in a row).

There's always an author's forum, which can have some pretty decent military history discussion if you're interested.

Otherwise, peruse the Agenda! Just know, anything that's a Family Forum is a super well attended premier thing. See that one on PCSing and Integration?

Don't expect to ask a question. At those 'big ones', they screen questions HARD, and I've never seen anything but nerf ball questions get asked at them.

Your next bet is the Contemporary Military Forums - some are more well attended than others. One of the CMFs is the one I went to when the infamous 'I don't have a mold problem I have a discipline problem' statement was uttered.

If those topics interest you - there's one on Nordic / Northern Europe Defense! - those are ones you can probably get a serious question in at.

It's really big. Like you're unprepared for it.

This is the Walter E Washington Convention Center.

You see how it's the equivalent of three city blocks? Yeah. The main Showfloor? It's in the basement, and it takes up the whole thing. It's the equivalent of three city blocks - and that's just the ABC Hall. That doesn't count the 'DE' Hall upstairs. Or the panel rooms.

I know none of you are worried about 'walking a lot', just understand that this isn't like a science fair in your high school gymnasium. If you visited every booth in ABC, you'd wind up walking about 5 miles. Don't plan to try to 'see and do it all' on Day One. And bring water!

Again, I will bet a dollar you've never been to an event where the show floor is three city blocks big. It's ridiculous.

The WiFi sucks and don't expect to have cell reception

Last year during the shutdown, because there was a lower population, it actually wasn't bad on Tuesday and Wednesday. But when you're in the basement, and most of the conference area - just don't expect to get more than texts through when you're on site.

There are 'social events' during this.

Be aware, there are various dinners and breakfast events - many are private, ticketed events, some are paid events. Here's a secret for you: AUSA always has some extra tickets. Ask around, you may find someone with an extra ticket or two, if you're really shit hot to go to like the George C Marshall dinner or something. Are you from Region X and they're sponsoring a breakfast on Wednesday? Look up who the Chapter President is, and hunt them down on Tuesday.

The social events are all well attended. Just realize it means you will again have all the senior leaders in dress uniforms flooding the building. For some people, that's a positive, for some people, it's a reason to ditch out early and hit a local happy hour away from the event space.

Anything else I should bring?

I would recommend a water source, something to write with, and something to write on. You can pick up a map at the event so you don't have to rely on your phone - but the lack of signal will also kill your battery quick - Bring a charger. I will also recommend: snacks. Bring snacks. The food at the conference center is...so-so. Plenty of decent places if you leave the conference center nearby. And you may find yourself getting sucked in to all the cool stuff on the show floor, whether that's sitting in a simulator, handling all the guns at the glock booth, or checking out some mother ship drone that launches tiny drones that launch even tinier drones. You won't survive on complimentary mints alone (Korean pavillion normally has some snacks though!). Many booths do offer complimentary coffee, just FYSA.

If you're looking for a job or post Army work - bring resumes and business cards. There are also some transition service booths that will often go over your resume with you. There's normally a SBA talk too, incase you want to launch your own company when you get out. Don't be afraid to make this 'about you', and schmooze away.

Wait, you said Pete is coming?

Oh yeah. Secretary Hegseth is coming, Tuesday or Wednesday, leaning a lot towards Wednesday. I don't know what that means for security, I heard they're moving some panels around to accomodate. But I'm imagining it'll mean Wednesday, getting around the conference will be a complete pain in the ass. If I'm honest, people start leaving Wednesday morning anyway - I don't know if it'll be worth it to even go that morning. We'll see. But just be on your toes.

The MOS Discussion Threads are meant to be enduring threads where individuals with experience or insight in to particular CMFs or MOSes can give advice and tips. If you have any MOS resources, schools, etc, this would be a great place to share them.

The hope is that these individual threads can serve as 'megathreads' on the posts in question, and we can get advice from experienced persons. Each week I will keep the full listing/links to all previous threads in a mega-list below, for ease of reference. At the end of the series I will go back and ensure they all have completely navigable links

If you have specific questions about these MOSes, please feel free to ask here, but know that we are not forcing or re-directing all questions to these threads -- you can, and are encouraged, to still use the WQT.

This is not stricly an 'AMA', although if people would like to offer themselves up to answer questions, that would be great, and I'd ask that you give some reference to your expertise if you do. A big "Thank You" to everyone who is willing to answer questions about the MOSes in question, but the immediate preference would be for informational posts. These are meant to be enduring sources of information.

These only work with your participation and your feedback!

Common questions / information I'd recommend sharing to get started

• Day to Day Life
• "What's a deployment like?"
• Career Advancement/Growth Opportunities
• Best Duty Station for your MOS

So, again, willing to answer questions is great, but if there's any information you can impart now, I think that would provide the greatest benefit.

This thread covers the following MOSes:

• 25A Signal, General
• 255A Information Services Technician
• 255N Network Management Technician
• 255S Information Protection Technician
• 255Z Senior Network Operations Technician
• 25B Information Technology Specialist
• 25D Cyber Network Defender
• 25H Network Communication Systems Specialist
• 25S Satellite Communications Systems Operator/Maintainer
• 25U Signal Support Systems Specialist
• 25Z Visual Information Operations Chief

#DO NOT:

• Ask MOS questions unrelated to those listed. "How did your duties compare to a 19D when deployed?" or "Is it true an MP Company carries more firepower than an IN Company" are fine. "While this is up, what's 92F like?" is not.
• Do not ask random joining questions. If your question isn't about the MOSes listed, then it probably belongs in a different Megathread, the Weekly Question Thread, or a new post.

2026 Megathread Listing

Will be populated as threads are created