The Combat Capabilities Development Command, (DEVCOM, aka CCDC) (formerly the United States Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command (RDECOM)) is a subordinate command of the US Army Futures and Concepts Command under the US Army Transformation and Training Command. RDECOM was tasked with "creating, integrating, and delivering technology-enabled solutions" to the U.S. Army. It is headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.

Role and organization

DEVCOM formerly described its role as "the Army's enabling command in the development and delivery of capabilities that empower, unburden and protect the Warfighter." It conducts and sponsors scientific research in areas important to the Army, develops scientific discoveries into new technologies, engineers technologies into new equipment and capabilities, and works with the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command to help requirements writers define the future needs of the Army.

DEVCOM is headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Before 1 November 2019, Major-General Cedric T. Wins was the commanding general, assisted by Brigadier-General Vincent F. Malone as deputy commanding general and Command Sergeant-Major Jon R. Stanley as command sergeant major. They oversee one laboratory and six major centers:

History

After assuming command of the Army Materiel Command in October 2001, General Paul J. Kern saw the need to streamline how the Army developed technology. At the time, the Army's laboratories and research centers reported through multiple channels, among other problems. Kern argued that the Army had to "figure out how to get technology in the hands of the Warfighters quicker" and that it was "the impression of everyone out there that the laboratories take too long, they do science for science's sake, engineering for engineering's sake". Kern proposed to unite the laboratories and research centers under a single command, and the idea was initiated to senior commanders and civilians. The new command was approved, and was provisionally stood up in October 2002, based at Aberdeen Proving Ground where it replaced and integrated the headquarters element of the Soldier and Biological Chemical Command (SBCCOM). In June 2003, RDECOM assumed operational control of the RDE centers. An organizational ceremony took place in October 2003 at Aberdeen Proving Ground, where SBCCOM officially stood down and the 389th Army Band and the Army Material Command's Acquisition Center were assigned to RDECOM.

RDECOM became a major subordinate command of the Army Material Command in March 2004, with over 17,000 military, civilian, and contractor personnel at the time. In 2006, the 389th Army Band was designated AMC Band and moved to Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. In 2008, the AMC Acquisition Center became part of the new Army Contracting Command, itself a major subordinate of the AMC. From February 2012 to September 2014, RDECOM was led by a civilian commander, Dale Ormond, before returning to military command.

Transfer to Army Futures Command

As of 2018, DEVCOM reports to Army Futures Command, which will reach full operational capability by August 2019. The new command is focused on readiness for future combat with near-peer competitors, in a shift away from the unconventional, counter-insurgency warfare fought in various theatres since 2001.

On 4 June 2018, the Headquarters, Department of the Army published General Order 2018–10, "Establishment of the United States Army Futures Command", formally transferring RDECOM from AMC to the new command effective 1 July 2018. The transition of authority from AMC to AFC took place at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD on 31 January 2019, with a reflagging of the Command and repatching of the commander and CSM.

List of commanding generals

No.Commanding GeneralTerm
PortraitNameTook officeLeft officeDuration
As U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command
1Major General John C. DoesburgOctober 2002October 2004~2 years, 0 days
2Major General Roger A. NadeauOctober 2004July 2007~2 years, 273 days
3Major General Fred D. Robinson Jr.July 20075 December 2008~1 year, 157 days
4Major General Paul S. Izzo5 December 20084 December 2009364 days
5Major General Nick Justice4 December 200910 February 20122 years, 68 days
6Dale A. Ormond10 February 201222 September 20142 years, 224 days
7Major General John F. Wharton22 September 20149 August 20161 year, 322 days
8Major General Cedric T. Wins9 August 20163 February 20192 years, 178 days
As U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command
1Major General Cedric T. Wins3 February 20191 November 2019271 days
2Major General John A. George1 November 20197 May 20211 year, 187 days
-John T. Willison Acting7 May 20219 July 202163 days
3Major General Edmond M. Brown9 July 20217 September 20232 years, 60 days
4Major General John M. Cushing7 September 202327 June 20251 year, 293 days
5Brigadier General Robert G. Born27 June 2025Incumbent294 days

See also

This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army.

  • CCDC Army Research Laboratory Public Affairs 22 September 2020 at the Wayback Machine Fewer than 50 STs across the Army: An ST is a general-officer equivalent
  • U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory 1 October 2019 at the Wayback Machine
  • Jerome Aliotta (TARDEC) 1 October 2019 at the Wayback Machine
  • Argie R. Sarantinos Perrin, CCDC 1 October 2019 at the Wayback Machine

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