BACK TALK
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Harold J. Greene’s final resting place. Greene, a highly decorated Soldier, Army acquisition leader and friend, became the highest-ranking fatality in war since Vietnam after an Afghan soldier opened fire on Aug. 5. Along the way, I could not help but think about how combat had taken not only a lov- ing husband and father from his family, but a rare talent from the Army and America as well.
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Losing Greene was especially poignant not because he was a general officer, or even because of what he accomplished during his distinguished career, but because of what was yet to come. With a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California in materials science and several master’s degrees, Greene had a wealth of knowledge and experience. His easygoing manner and self-deprecating humor belied his genius. His ability to form instant con- nections with people and organize teams to attack vexing problems is legend within the acquisition community. What impact he might have had on Army acquisition in future years is purely con- jecture, but it’s safe to say it would have been momentous. Harry, you will be missed.
Te weapon systems, protective gear and commu- nication networks needed for that future force do not appear because of some PowerPoint briefing. No, a cadre of government employees, like Greene, alongside a legion of defense contractors works tirelessly to outfit what is universally acknowl- edged as the best-trained, -equipped and -led Army ever fielded. Greene was but one member of the 12,000-strong Army Acquisition Corps (AAC), part of the larger, nearly 38,000-strong Army Acquisition Workforce that has flourished over the past 25 years, who bring their skills to bear on the complicated problem of national defense every single day.
From the Editor-in-Chief
was one of hundreds of mourners in the Aug. 14 funeral procession that made its way through Arlington Cemetery, past the rows of simple white gravestones, to Area 60, MG
Te formation of the AAC, a dedicated corps of military and civilian acquisition leaders, was approved on Oct. 13, 1989, by then-Army Chief of Staff GEN Carl E. Vuono. As a result, the past quarter-century has seen an unprecedented increase in the quality of Army Acquisition profes- sionals and the products they create; to wit, 97.5 percent of the Army Acquisition Workforce is cer- tified in their profession, according to standards outlined in the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act. Tat 97.5 percent is the best in DOD and rivals any industry! In other words, Army Acquisition people are the experts in acqui- sition. Don’t believe it? Just take a look at what our workforce has accomplished since 1989:
• M109A6 Paladin. • AH-64D Longbow Apache. • Interceptor Body Armor. • Rapid Fielding Initiative. • Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles. • MQ-1C Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft. • Nett Warrior. • Double-arm and face transplants.
As impressive as the past 25 years have been, the best is yet to come. In this issue, learn how the U.S. Army Materiel Command eschews the status quo and questions past practices, in “Forging New Links.” See how the folks at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ, are adapting the M119A3 howitzer to handle the rigors of high-altitude mountain warfare of Afghanistan in “Adapting Artillery.” Finally, sit back, relax with a cup of coffee (hint) and read how Starbucks recruits and retains top talent in “Critical Tinking.”
For more stories and expanded coverage, please check our online magazine at
http://usaasc.army
alt.com/. If you have comments or questions, or want to submit an idea for future issues, write me at
ArmyALT@gmail.com.
Nelson McCouch III Editor-in-Chief
ii Army AL&T Magazine October–December 2014
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