Each year USBE Engineer & Information Technology magazine highlights exemplary leaders in the U.S. Armed Forces and Defense Communities

BEYA Stars & Stripes: Honoring Military Excellence in STEM

What is BEYA Stars & Stripes?

The BEYA Stars & Stripes event is a premier national gathering dedicated to recognizing and honoring exemplary leaders in the U.S. Armed Forces and Defense Communities. This event highlights the contributions of flag-rank officers, including admirals, generals, and members of the federal Senior Executive Service, who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, commitment to national security, and innovation in defense operations.

As one of the nation's largest events celebrating both active and retired military leaders, BEYA Stars & Stripes serves as a key platform supporting STEM workforce development, leadership training, and national security priorities. The event fosters collaboration between the military, industry, and academia, offering mentorship, career advancement opportunities, and professional development for uniformed and civilian professionals in critical defense-related STEM fields.

Each year, BEYA Stars & Stripes features a rotating military service branch, ensuring representation across the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and National Guard Bureau. The 2025 BEYA Stars & Stripes Dinner will feature the U.S. Coast Guard, highlighting its vital role in maritime security, defense technology, and STEM-driven mission readiness.

How BEYA Stars & Stripes Supports the DoD Mission

BEYA Stars & Stripes directly aligns with the Department of Defense’s mission by:

• Recognizing Military Excellence – Honoring leaders whose service has advanced U.S. military capabilities.

• Building a STEM-Ready Workforce – Showcasing career pathways in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics that drive mission success.

• Enhancing Leadership Development – Providing mentorship and career growth opportunities for current and future military professionals.

• Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships – Connecting military leaders with industry, academia, and government agencies to promote innovation.

• Supporting Military Career Transitions – Equipping service members with the resources and connections needed for successful transitions into STEM careers.

Through these efforts, BEYA Stars & Stripes remains a critical force multiplier, helping the DoD develop a technologically proficient, mission-ready workforce while celebrating the leadership and contributions of military professionals past and present.

The BEYA Stars & Stripes is one of the nation's largest events honoring both active and retired admirals, generals and members of the Senior Executive Service. Each year the featured service of the BEYA Stars & Stripes event alternates between the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and National Guard Bureau. The featured service is determined on a rotating basis. The U.S. Coast Guard will be the featured service of the 2025 BEYA Stars & Stripes Dinner.