| DEVCOM Soldier Center | |
|---|---|
 DEVCOM SC logo | |
| Active | 1954–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Research and development |
| Size | 1,017 employees[1] |
| Part of |  U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Natick, Massachusetts |
| Website | DEVCOM Soldier Center official website |
| Commanders | |
| Director | Mr. Douglas A. Tamilio |
| Deputy Director | Ms. Jaclyn M. Fontecchio |
| Insignia | |
| NSRDEC logo (2007) |  |
| NSRDEC logo (2014) |  |
TheDEVCOM Soldier Center, sometimes CCDC Soldier Center (Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center,DEVCOMSC aka CCDC SC), formerly theNatick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC), is a military research complex and installation inNatick, Massachusetts, charged by theU.S. Department of Defense with the research and development (including fielding and sustainment) of food, clothing, shelters, airdrop systems, and other servicemember support items for the U.S. military.[2][3]
DEVCOM Soldier Center is a component unit of theU.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) and is a tenant unit of theU.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center (NSSC), formerlyU.S. ArmySoldier Systems Center (SSC).[4] The installation includes facilities from all the military services, not just the Army, and is so configured to allow cross-service cooperation and collaboration both within the facility and with the many academic, industrial and governmental institutions in theGreater Boston Area.
DEVCOM is subordinate toU.S. Army Futures Command (AFC) headquartered in Austin, Texas, which was activated in July 2018. U.S. Army Futures Command was formerlyU.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) atAberdeen Proving Ground.
NSSC is commonly known asNatick Laboratories, although this designation more properly refers to one of its tenant units, the U.S. Army DEVCOM Soldier Center.
| Natick Soldier Systems Center | |
|---|---|
| Natick, Massachusetts | |
_emblem_(11_July_2012)_max1200.jpg) NSSC emblem | |
 Natick Soldier Systems Center facilities | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Research and development |
| Owner |  United States Army |
| Controlled by |  U.S. Army Installation Management Command |
| Website | Natick Soldier Systems Center official website |
| Location | |
  Natick SSC Position in Massachusetts Show map of Massachusetts Natick SSC Natick SSC (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
| Coordinates | 42°17′23″N71°21′43.9128″W / 42.28972°N 71.362198000°W /42.28972; -71.362198000 |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1953; 72 years ago (1953) |
| In use | 1954–present |
| Garrison information | |
| Current commander | BG George Hackler (Senior Commander) |
NSSC occupies 78 acres (320,000 m2) at its main Natick campus and has an additional 46 acres (190,000 m2) in neighboring communities. The main campus is located to the northwest of Natick center and abuts uponLake Cochituate.[5]
Employee/tenant numbers total 1,957 (159 military personnel, 1,048 civilians and 750 contractors).[6][7][8]
The SSC public relations office reported that the installation’s FY2006 funding totaled approximately $1 billion and that the facilities infuse more than $135 million annually into the local economy through installation salaries, utilities, and local contracts.[9][10]
The installation commander is a U.S. ArmyBrigadier General, currently BG George Hackler, who also serves as the Deputy Commanding General of theU.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command.[11]
NSSC includes facilities designed to research and test both materials (textiles, combat rations), advanced technologies and human performance (human research volunteers) under simulated environmental extremes (altitude, heat, cold, wind, etc.). The requirement for improved combat rations has led to groundbreaking developments in the field offood irradiation andfreeze-drying techniques. Improvedbody armor, newmilitary parachuting technology, and enhanced military garments designed for a variety of environments are all ongoing efforts.
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Construction of theQuartermaster Research Laboratory[12] at Natick, MA, was authorized byCongress in October 1949, and began in November 1952. The ceremonial laying of a cornerstone for the Natick facility happened on 30 May 1953, with SpeakerJoseph W. Martin Jr., Sen.Leverett Saltonstall, Sen.John F. Kennedy, and others in attendance.[12] In October 1953, the QRL was redesignated as theQuartermaster Research and Development Center, and designated aQuartermaster Class II installation. At the same time, theQuartermaster Research and Development Command was established at Natick, MA. The center was operable by summer 1954.[5] Later, the center was redesignated asQuartermaster Research and Engineering Command in January 1957.[12][13][14]
July 1961 saw the activation of theU.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM) at Natick and a year later the QREC was placed under theU.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC). In November 1962, the QREC was redesignated asNatick Laboratories and the following year theFood and Container Institute moved to Natick. July 1967 saw theNavy Clothing and Textile Research Facility (NCTRF)[15] relocate to Natick.[13]
Natick Laboratories became a subordinate element to theTroop Support Command (TROSCOM) in July 1973 and was redesignated two years later as theU.S. Army Natick Development Center and reassigned to the AMC. The NDC was redesignated theU.S. Army Natick Research and Development Command (NARADCOM) in January 1976 and assigned to the U.S. Army Materiel Development and Readiness Command (DARCOM) (aka AMC, which was redesignated theU.S. Army Materiel Development and Readiness Command (DARCOM) that same month).[13]
In September 1980, NARADCOM was redesignated as theU.S. Army Natick Research and Development Laboratories, and three years later, in October 1983, as theU.S. Army Natick Research and Development Center, a subordinate element of the U.S. Army Troop Support Command (TROSCOM) in St. Louis, Missouri. (Elements of DARCOM and TROSCOM merged in July 1992 forging theU.S. Army Aviation and Troop Command (ATCOM), St. Louis, Mo.)[13]
In 1982, Natick Labs surrendered control of 3,100 acres in the Massachusetts towns of Hudson, Maynard, Stow and Sudbury toFort Devens to become a field training facility. The land had been an ordnance supply depot during World War II. After being anEnvironmental Protection Agency "superfund" cleanup site in the 1990s, it became theAssabet River National Wildlife Refuge.[12]
In October 1992, the NRDC was redesignated theU.S. Army Natick Research, Development and Engineering Center (NRDEC),[16] still a subordinate element of theATCOM.[13][17]
AU.S. Army Soldier Systems Command (SSCOM)[17] was activated at Natick in November 1994. Elements subsequently established at the SSCOM included the Sustainment & Readiness Directorate (February 1995) and Product Manager-Soldier Support (October 1995); elements subsequently relocated to Natick included the Clothing and Services Office (October 1996; from Ft. Lee, Virginia) and Product Manager-Force Provider (June 1997). The Sustainment & Readiness Directorate became the Integrated Material Management Center in October 1997.[13][18]
SSCOM merged with theChemical Biological Defense Command (CBDCOM)[19] to become theSoldier and Biological Chemical Command (SBCCOM) in October 1998.[18] At this time the installation was renamed theSoldier Systems Center (SSC).[13] At some time prior to January 2017, the installation was renamedSoldier Systems Center Natick (SSC).[20]
Sometime in the 1990s, NRDEC was redesignated asU.S. Army Natick Soldier Center (NSC),[21] being redesignated later asU.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC) in the late 2000s.[22] On 3 February 2019, NSRDEC becameU.S. Army CCDC Soldier Center (ofCombat Capabilities Development Command).[23] Sometime afterward, the acronym gradually transitioned from CCDC Soldier Center toU.S. Army DEVCOM Soldier Center.[24][25][26][27][28]
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NSSC hosts several tenant units and facilities. The following is a list for each.[29][30]
List of research and development commands, centers, offices and elements:
List of facilities and laboratories:
 |
| No. | Commanding General | Term | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | Name | Took office | Left office | Duration | |
| As U.S. Army Soldier Systems Command | |||||
| 1 |  | Brigadier General Henry T. Glisson | November 1994[31] | May 1996[32] | ~1 year, 182 days |
| As U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center | |||||
| - | .jpg) | Brigadier General Philip M. Mattox | June/July 2000[33] | 6 August 2001[34] | ~1 year, 31 days |
| - | .jpg) | Brigadier General James L. Kennon | 6 August 2001[35] | 9 July 2002[36] | 337 days |
| - |  | Brigadier General Craig A. Peterson | 9 July 2002[37] | 10 October 2003[38] | 1 year, 93 days |
| - | | Colonel David J. Bongi | 10 October 2003[39] | 7 July 2004[40] | 271 days |
| - | | Brigadier General James R. Moran | 7 July 2004[41] | ~25 July 2006 | ~2 years, 18 days |
| - | .jpg) | Brigadier General R. Mark Brown | 25 July 2006[42] | 21 November 2008[43] | 2 years, 119 days |
| As U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center | |||||
| - | .jpg) | Brigadier General Peter N. Fuller | 21 November 2008[44] | 27 August 2009[45] | 279 days |
| - |  | Brigadier General Harold J. Greene | 27 August 2009[46] | 10 May 2011[47] | 1 year, 256 days |
| - |  | Brigadier General John J. McGuiness | 10 May 2011[48] | 5 December 2013[49] | 2 years, 209 days |
| - | %2c_poses_for_a_command_portrait_in_the_Army_portrait_studio_at_the_Pentagon_131101-A-SS368-001.jpg) | Brigadier General William E. Cole | 5 December 2013[50] | 24 November 2015[51] | 1 year, 354 days |
| - | .jpg) | Brigadier General Thomas H. Todd III | 24 November 2015[52] | 5 January 2017[53] | 1 year, 42 days |
| - | .jpg) | Brigadier General Anthony W. Potts | 5 January 2017[54] | 5 January 2018[55] | 1 year, 0 days |
| - |  | Brigadier General Vincent F. Malone II | 5 January 2018[56] | ~May 2020[57] | ~2 years, 117 days |
| - | .jpg) | Brigadier General James P. Bienlien | May 2020[58] | 8 June 2021[59] | ~1 year, 38 days |
| - |  | Brigadier General David C. Trybula | 8 June 2021[60] | 31 July 2024 | 3 years, 53 days |
| - | .jpg) | Brigadier General George C. Hackler | 31 July 2024[61] | Incumbent | 347 days |
Natick Labs has developed or is developing the following items or systems:
The composition of the total DEVCOM Soldier Center force is: 45-Army Soldiers, 706-Army Civilians, 266-Contractors
The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (DEVCOM Soldier Center) is located at the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center in Natick, Massachusetts, under the Army's Combat Capabilities Development Command. (___enter___); Stretching back to 1954, the CCDC Soldier Center's history of support for the Soldier has continued uninterrupted for more than six decades, with a focus on Soldier-related research, development and testing and evaluation efforts. If Soldiers wear it, eat it, sleep under it, or have it airdropped to them in theater, it can be traced back to the DEVCOM Soldier Center. Staffed by scientists, engineers, technologists and equipment designers, the DEVCOM Soldier Center provides a wide range of capabilities to the Soldier, to include field feeding and life support systems, clothing, precision airdrop systems, and ballistic, chemical and laser-protection systems. The composition of the total DEVCOM Soldier Center force is as follows: 45-Army Soldiers, 706-Army Civilians, 266-Contractors
The Natick Research and Development Laboratories, located 20 miles west of Boston on the shore of Lake Cochituate in Natick, Massachusetts, is a major U.S. Army laboratory complex responsible chiefly for research and development of clothing, personal equipment and food systems in support of the individual combat soldier. The installation was established in 1953 and is currently comprised of 56 buildings, situated on 78 acres of land. Natick Laboratories also maintains four housing areas, one adjacent to the laboratory complex itself and the others in the nearby suburban communities of Wayland, Needham, and Sudbury. (___enter___); Following World War II, the Army began to investigate the possibility of establishing a consolidated Quartermaster research and development complex. In October 1949, Congress authorized $11 million for the construction of a consolidated Quartermaster research laboratory to be located in Natick. Construction was begun in November 1952, and in October 1953, the Quartermaster Research and Development Center was designated a permanent installation, the new center was unique because it was the first installation in the country that combined the study of human reaction to environment with the study of military equipment under virtually all known climatic conditions. The installation, operable by the summer of 1954, originally consisted of ten reinforced concrete buildings that housed the various research and development activities. Today, the Natick Laboratories is one of DARCOM's central laboratories. The Natick Laboratories includes the Aero-mechanical Engineering Laboratory, the Individual Protection Laboratory, the Science and Advanced Technology Laboratory, the Food Engineering Laboratory, and the Operations Research Systems Office.
On-Board Strength: SSC/Natick Garrison/Tenants: 1,321; Civilian: 997; Military: 105; Contractors: 219
On-Board Strength: SSC/Natick Garrison/Tenants: 1,957; Civilian: 1048; Military: 159; Contractors: 750
On-Board Strength (As of 31 Oct 2008): NSSC/Natick Garrison/Tenants: 1493; Civilian: 1148; Military: 96; Contractors: 213
Economic Impact: SSC generates more than $135 million directly into the local economy through salaries, utilities, and local contracts. Estimated economic impact of this investment to the local community exceeds $400 million.; Total funding at SSC: Approximately $1.2 Billion (FY03)
Economic Impact: SSC generates more than $135 million directly into the local economy through salaries, utilities, and local contracts. Estimated economic impact of this investment to the local community exceeds $400 million.; Total funding at SSC: Approximately $1 Billion (FY06)
Brig. Gen. George 'Chris' Hackler assumed the role of Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) on July 31, 2024."; ... "He concurrently serves as the Senior Commander of the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center located in Natick, Massachusetts.
The ceremonial laying of a cornerstone for the Natick facility happened on May 30, 1953, with Speaker Joseph W. Martin Jr., Sen. Leverett Saltonstall, Sen. John F. Kennedy, and others in attendance."; "Soldier Systems Center Timeline (_enter_); October 1949 – Construction of Quartermaster Research Laboratory authorized by Congress. (_enter_); April 1952 – Groundbreaking ceremonies. (_enter_); November 1952 – Construction started. (_enter_); May 1953 – Cornerstone-laying ceremonies held. (_enter_); October 1953 – Quartermaster Research Laboratory renamed [to] Quartermaster Research and Development Center, [and] established as [a] Quartemaster II installation. (_enter_); October 1953 – Quartermaster Research and Development Command established with headquarters at Quartermaster Reseach and Development Center, Natick. (_enter_); October 1954 – Dedication held. (_enter_); January 1957 – Quartermaster Research and Development Center Redesignated Quartermaster Research and Engineering Command.
On October 1, 1998, two premier commands, the U.S. Army Soldier Systems Command (SSCOM) located in Natick, Mass., and the U.S. Army Chemical Biological Defense Command (CBDCOM) located at the Edgewood area of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., merged to become the U.S. Army Soldier & Biological Chemical Command (SBCCOM). By combining soldier with chemical/biological expertise, the new command will better protect our military and civilian communities. The installation known formerly as SSCOM is now known as the U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center and is the Natick part of SBCCOM. The U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center (Natick) will be referred to as Natick in all subsequent references. Natick remains dedicated to improving each individual soldier's survivability and lethality on the battlefield. Full life cycle management from basic science, to product development, equipment integration, acquisition, and finally sustainment makes this mission possible. Taking a revolutionary approach to the oldest and most basic item of warfare, Natick focuses on the individual soldier as a complete weapons platform. New, complex technologies are incorporated only when soldier acceptance is proven. Supporting the Army Chief of Staff's Force XXI vision, Natick ensures that the individual soldier is prepared to meet the complex, digitized and changing battlefield of tomorrow. Soldiers and their equipment must be integrated to achieve a balance among the soldier's warfighting capabilities, including lethality, mobility, sustainability, survivability, and command and control. To support its mission, Natick has five major line organizations located in Natick, Mass.: a Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, the Soldier Center of Excellence (SCOE), the Integrated Materiel Management Center, the Product Manager-Soldier Support, and Product Manager-Force Provider. In addition, Project Manager-Soldier is located at Fort Belvoir, Va.
At the Natick Soldier Center (NSC), formerly known as the U.S. Army Natick Research, Development and Engineering Center (NRDEC), "We Do Something for the Warfighter Every Day." In keeping with this motto, we are deeply committed to making our soldiers, and other members of the American Armed Forces, the best equipped, best clothed, best fed, and best protected in the world.
[The] U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development & Engineering Center (nsrdec.natick.army.mil) ensures U.S. Troops are the best equipped, best clothed, best fed, and best protected in the world through science and technology in the areas of airdrop, combat feeding, individual clothing and equipment, shelters, and Soldier system integration.
The U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, or NSRDEC, located in Natick, Mass., became the Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center, or CCDC Soldier Center, on February 3.
The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Soldier Center is located at the Natick Soldier Systems Center (NSSC) in Natick, Massachusetts, under U.S. Army DEVCOM and Army Futures Command. Our Mission is to provide the Army with innovative science and technology solutions to optimize the performance of our Soldiers. We ensure dominance through superior scientific and engineering expertise. (___enter___); This includes improving the Warrior's survivability, sustainability, mobility, combat effectiveness and quality of life by treating the Warfighter as a System. The DEVCOM Soldier Center's focus areas include: Airdrop/Aerial Delivery, Clothing & Protective Equipment, Human Systems Integration Sciences, Expeditionary Maneuver, Simulation & Training and Joint Service Combat Feeding. (___enter___); To learn more about what the DEVCOM Soldier Center does or to partner with us please view - https ://sc.devcom.army.mil/ (___enter___); Disclaimer Text: (___enter___); This Company Profile Page is the official professional networking entity for the U.S. Army DEVCOM Soldier Center. Views expressed by employees do not represent the views of DEVCOM Soldier Center, NSSC, DEVCOM, AFC, U.S. Army, or the U.S. Department of Defense. For more information on the DoD Social Media User Agreement please view this link http ://www.defense.gov/socialmedia/user-agreement.aspx
NSSC Tenant Organizations (_enter_); US ARIEM (_enter_); US Army ILSC-SBC (_enter_); US Navy NCTRF (_enter_); US Army NSRDEC (_enter_); US Army PM Soldier Equipment (_enter_); US Army PM FSS (_enter_); US Army RMAC-Natick
The U.S. Army Garrison – Natick has the mission to provide installation services supporting Soldiers and family readiness and research, development and acquisition. (___enter___); The vision of the Garrison is a sustainable community that fosters mission excellence by providing unparalleled facilities and customer service, delivered by a motivated, professional workforce. (___enter___); The U.S. Army Garrison – Natick supports these major units: (_enter_); The U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center (_enter_); U.S. Army Soldier Research Development and Engineering (_enter_); U.S. Army Research Institute for Environmental Medicine (_enter_); Product Manager – Force Sustainment Systems (_enter_); Product Manager – Clothing and Individual Equipment (_enter_); U.S. Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility (_enter_); U.S. Coast Guard Clothing Design and Technical Office (_enter_); Integrated Logistics Support Center (_enter_); Army Contracting Command, RDECOM Contracting Center – Natick Contracting Division (_enter_); Document Automation and Production Service (_enter_); U.S. Army Medical Command Occupational Health Clinic (_enter_); Network Enterprise Center – Natick (_enter_); Civilian Personnel Advisory Center (___enter___); The goals of the USAG Natick are to provide a first rate quality of life for Soldiers, families and civilian workforce; provide world-class facilities, services, infrastructure and environmental stewardship; resources and services fully supporting the installation and the Total Army and provide a highly skilled, motivated, customer-focused organization supporting current and future missions. (___enter___); The USAG Natick was established in 2003 with the establishment of the Installation Management Agency (IMA) and was assigned to the Northeast Region Office located at Fort Monroe, Va. In 2006, IMA became the U.S. Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM). The USAG Natick continues to report to the IMCOM Northeast Region Office. (___enter___); The USAG Natick continues to focus on Safety and Risk Management; the support of mission readiness; supporting the quality of life; strategic communications at all levels; strengthening business processes and taking care of Soldiers, families and civilians.
This article contains information that originally came from US Government publications and websites and is in the public domain.
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