WEST FORT HOOD (Now designated Fort Cavazos), Texas — The U.S. Army Operational Test Command will host a change of command ceremony at 9 a.m. May 23 in its headquarters building here.
Col. Ronald R. Ragin will become OTC’s 29th commander replacing Brig. Gen. William “Hank” Taylor, who has commanded the unit since Sept. 6, 2018.
Taylor will move on to become the Senior Adviser to the Ministry of Defense, U.S. Forces-Afghanistan, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Afghanistan.
Maj. Gen. Joel K. Tyler, commander of OTC’s higher headquarters, the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, will preside over the ceremony.
Ragin most recently served as the executive officer to the commanding general of the U.S. Army Materiel Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.
He began his career as a platoon leader in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, which is currently located at Fort Irwin, California.
He has served as logistics officer with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault); as battalion operations officer in the 25th Infantry Division (Light); and a logistics planner on the 7th Fleet Command Ship (USS Blue Ridge).
Ragin also commanded the 4th Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade, Fort Carson, Colorado, supporting the 4th ID deterrence efforts in the Baltics.
He has served two operational assignments in Afghanistan and one in Iraq.
Media representatives interested in covering the event, should contact Michael Novogradac, OTC’s public affairs officer, at (254) 288-9110, or email: michael.m.novogradac.civ@mail.mil no later than 2 p.m. May 22..
Both Ragin and Taylor will be available following the ceremony for media interviews.
Media should arrive at the West Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos) gate (south side) at Clarke Road and Highway 190 no later than 8:30 a.m. May 23 for an escort to the event.
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About the U.S. Army Operational Test Command:
Operational testing began Oct. 1, 1969, and as the Army’s only independent operational tester. OTC is celebrating “50 Years of Operational Testing.” The unit 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.
