WEST FORT CAVAZOS, Texas — The unit responsible for testing new and modernized Army equipment will welcome a new commander during a change of command ceremony 10 a.m. Monday, July 1, 2024.
Incoming Commander Brig. Gen. Shannon-Mikal Lucas arrives to the U.S. Army Operational Test Command as its 32nd commander after serving as the Deputy Provost Marshal General, Office of the Provost Marshal General in the Pentagon.
There, he was responsible for the policy, plans, programs, oversight, and budget for the Army’s policing functions, including law enforcement, criminal investigations, criminal intelligence fusion, corrections, biometrics and forensics, physical security, high risk personnel security, antiterrorism, and detention operations in coordination with Department of Defense and the law enforcement community.
Brig. Gen. George C. Hackler, OTC’s commander since June 30, 2022, is heading off to serve as Deputy Commanding General, Combat Capabilities Development Command/Senior Commander, Natick Soldier Systems Center, United States Army Futures Command, Natick, Massachusetts.
The ceremony will be hosted by Maj. Gen. James J. Gallivan, commander of U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, OTC’s higher headquarters at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.
News media wanting to cover the event should contact the OTC Public Affairs Office, by calling or texting, at (254) 449-3686, or email: michael.m.novogradac.civ@army.mil, no later than 3 p.m. Friday, July 28, 2024.
A public affairs escort will meet the media at the West Fort Hood Clarke Road gate (south side) at 9:15 a.m., Monday, July 1, 2024.
~~
About the U.S. Army Operational Test Command:
As the Army’s only independent operational tester, OTC enlists the “Total Army” (Active, National Guard, and Reserve) when testing Army, joint, and multi-service warfighting systems in realistic operational environments, using typical Soldiers to determine whether the systems are effective, suitable, and survivable. OTC is required by public law to test major systems before they are fielded to its ultimate customer – the American Soldier.
