The Army is “on the right path” as it transforms for the future, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said, but that path will be “steep and rocky” for the next couple of years.

“I think we are facing the most dangerous security environment I’ve seen in my professional career,” she said in an interview in the Association of the U.S. Army’s 2023–2024 Green Book.

At the same time, the Army faces “constrained” resources and a budgetary top line that has been “largely flat,” she said, and a “very, very politicized environment” that makes it difficult to talk through challenges and make decisions. The Army also continues to struggle with recruiting. The service is making progress and eyeing some fundamental changes, but there is still work to do, Wormuth said.

Published as AUSA hosts its Annual Meeting and Exposition Oct. 9–11 in Washington, D.C., the Green Book also features exclusive interviews with Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer, Army National Guard Director Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen and Army Reserve Chief Lt. Gen. Jody Daniels.

To read the senior leader articles, click here.

Also in the Green Book is a comprehensive update from each of the Army’s nine cross-functional teams on the service’s sweeping modernization effort, a Year in Review of major Army developments, a guide to the Army’s installations and listings of key command and staff, Army Reserve Ambassadors and Civilian Aides to the Secretary of the Army.

For George, who was performing the duties of Army chief of staff until he was confirmed by the Senate and sworn in Sept. 21, the Army must focus on warfighting and being ready for any mission it’s called upon to perform.

“The Army faces many challenges today at home and abroad, and there will be more in the years ahead, but this is not new. … Facing down challenges both known and unknown is what our Army is built to do,” George said. “Whether it’s large-scale combat operations, disaster response, something in between or something unprecedented, we will be ready. We will adapt, and we will win.”

To do this, the Army must remain focused on its warfighting mission and continue training to fight at “every echelon,” George said. The Army also must continue to inspire young men and women to serve, George said, referring to one of the toughest recruiting environments the Army has faced since it became an all-volunteer force 50 years ago.

Premium members of AUSA will receive their copies of the Green Book by mail or email. A limited number of copies of the Green Book will be distributed at the Annual Meeting.

It is available for download here.

For more information on the Annual Meeting, click here.