FORT BENNING, Georgia –
Senior Army leaders used the Maneuver Warfighter Conference at Fort Benning, Georgia, on Sept. 9 to deliver a clear message: the U.S. Army is entering a new era of transformation, and readiness to “fight and win tonight” remains the non‑negotiable standard.
"We exist to fight and win our nation's wars,” said Gen. Andrew Poppas, commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command. “In order to do that, we've got to make sure those formations that stand in front of us are ready."
Speaking to an audience of officers, NCOs, multinational partners and industry representatives, Gen. Andrew Poppas, commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command and Command Sgt. Maj. Nema Mobar, FORSCOM command sergeant major, underscored the organization’s evolving mission as it prepares to transition into U.S. Army Americas — a unified command integrating the capabilities of FORSCOM, U.S. Army North and U.S. Army South.
“It is an incredible opportunity for us,” Poppas said. “We are merging capabilities and expertise… we’re become leaner, much more efficient. But the beauty is, why is that important to you? Because that means we are going to be empowering you, at every echelon, and your leaders, to build the readiness of the formation.”
Poppas went on to say that “reporting lines will change, but what doesn’t change, the non-negotiable, is that we are ready to fight and win tonight.”
NCOs at the Center of Change
Mobar emphasized the pivotal role of noncommissioned officers in sustaining operational tempo and quality of life during the transition.
“You run the organization so the officers can command,” Mobar said. “You take care of the day-to-day stuff.”
Mobar went on to say that “as NCO’s we need to keep the train running — making sure everything is happening the way it should, those routine tasks are happening so that Soldiers are taken care of.”
He urged NCOs to translate organizational changes for their Soldiers, maintain discipline, and ensure predictability in training schedules.
The "Four Wins" Framework
Poppas reiterated the “Four Wins” that have guided FORSCOM in recent years:
- Win Trust and Empower Leaders — Enforce standards and take care of people.
- Win the First Fight — Build lethal formations from squad to brigade.
- Win the Future Fight — Align structure, equipment and training for decisive overmatch.
- Win as a Total, Balanced Army — Integrate active duty, Guard and Reserve components.
Three Lessons for the Force
Reflecting on his tenure, Poppas shared three enduring lessons:
- The Future is Not Written — Be ready for unpredictable, fast-moving conflicts.
- Visibility in Adversity — Leaders must be present and engaged when challenges mount.
- Change Can Be Rapid — Innovation and adaptation should happen in weeks, not years.
He cited recent examples of “Transformation in Contact,” including the 101st Airborne Division’s integration of over 600 new technologies during a Joint Readiness Training Center rotation.
Action Steps for Leaders
Poppas closed with three calls to action:
- Engage Your People – Lead in person, with empathy and presence.
- Get Dirty – Train in the field under realistic, adverse conditions.
- Fight the Fight at Your Echelon – Focus on the unique responsibilities of your level of command.
Speaking directly to junior leaders in the audience, Poppas said, “know your people … get dirty … fight the fight … be a master of your echelon … you are the face, you are the example, be the living embodiment of the Army.”
Looking Ahead
As USARAM takes shape, leaders framed the Western Hemisphere mission as one of deterrence, partnership, and readiness.
“Deterrence only works if we are really good at our jobs,” Mobar said. “So, as we show up to train with our partners and allies, they are expecting the dream team to show up… so if you’re not practiced at the fundamentals and you’re not prepared to do that, we don’t get deterrence, and the enemy is always watching and they are going to see that we aren’t doing everything we promised to do and we’ll be vulnerable.”