In 2002, the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) was established, aiming to consolidate the research and development laboratories of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. Following the establishment of U.S. Army Futures Command (AFC), RDECOM was renamed as U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) upon its transfer to AFC. Then-CCDC rebranded to DEVCOM in 2021.[5]
Role and organization
DEVCOM conducts and sponsors scientific research in areas important to the Army, develops scientific discoveries into new technologies, then engineers said technology into new equipment and capabilities, while working with the U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command to help requirements writers define the future needs of the Army.[6]
DEVCOM is headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Before 1 November 2019, Major General Cedric T. Wins was the commanding general,[3] assisted by Brigadier General Vincent F. Malone as deputy commanding general and Command Sergeant Major Jon R. Stanley as command sergeant major. They oversaw one laboratory and six major centers:[7]
After assuming command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC) 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, (and) engineering for engineering's sake".
General Kern proposed to unite the laboratories and research centers under a single command, and the idea was initiated to senior commanders and civilians.[9] The new command was approved, and was established on a "provisional" basis in October 2002, at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, where it began to replace the headquarters element of U.S. Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command (SBCCOM). In June 2003, RDECOM assumed operational control of the RDE centers. In October 2003, an organizational ceremony took place at Aberdeen Proving Ground, where SBCCOM officially stood down, and the 389th Army Band and AMC Acquisition Center were assigned to RDECOM.
RDECOM became a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel 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 newly established U.S. Army Contracting Command, itself a major subordinate of 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.[10] 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.[11]
12"History | DEVCOM Aviation and Missile Center". www.avmc.army.mil. Archived from the original on 26 November 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2026. 2021 - Higher headquarters, CCDC, referred to as DEVCOM. CCDC Aviation & Missile Center referred to as DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center or DEVCOM AvMC.
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