Maneuver Warfighter Conference set for Sept. 9-13

By NICK DUKESeptember 4, 2013

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FORT BENNING, Ga. (Sept. 4, 2013 -- For the first time, the Maneuver Warfighter Conference will be held on Fort Benning, and is set for Monday through Friday and will largely take place at McGinnis Wickam-Hall.

The conference begins Monday with an informal open house and icebreaker session before getting underway officially 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at Marshall Auditorium.

This year's conference focuses on using doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel and facilities to develop solutions to challenges facing the maneuver force and improving the combat effectiveness of Army combat formations in the current and future operational environments.

Guest speakers will include: MCoE commanding general, Maj. Gen. H. R. McMaster; TRADOC commanding general, Gen. Robert Cone; FORSCOM commander, Gen. Daniel Allyn; 1st Army commander, Lt. Gen. Michael Tucker; U.S. Army Combined Arms Center commanding general, Lt. Gen. David Perkins; U.S. Army Special Operations Command commanding general, Lt. Gen. Charles Cleveland and Army Capabilities Integration Center Deputy commanding general, Lt. Gen. Keith Walker.

Topics to be discussed include challenges facing maneuver warfighters, ways to operationalize strategic land power, global responsiveness and regional engagement, ways to enable the long-term readiness of reserve component forces, leader development and mission command, Special Forces capabilities and general purpose forces capabilities.

On Tuesday, the annual State of the Armor Branch and State of the Infantry Branch addresses will be delivered by Armor School Commandant Col. Leopoldo Quintas and Infantry School Commandant Brig. Gen. David Haight.

The conference is an annual event intended to provide a comprehensive forum to address current and future issues affecting the maneuver force regardless of functional area, location or deployed status from now through 2028, said Gary Jones, director of public affairs for the MCoE.

The conference allows the institution to leverage the combined experience of the diverse audience to determine preferred courses of action and prioritize needed solutions, he said.

During the conference, defense contractors will also exhibit their latest relevant technologies.