Changing Norms: Keeping Army Test and Evaluation Flexible and Adaptable

Abstract

Abstract : As the Army leadership continues to shape the Army Force Generation (ARFORGEN) concept to generate continuous readiness that supports strategic flexibility and depth to the US Army warfighters, the US Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC) leadership continues to embrace and implement strategic changes to facilitate the fielding of equipment to the warfighters. ATEC has demonstrated adaptability and flexibility in meeting the challenges associated with the traditional acquisition process and the necessities resulted from the deployment of troops to Iraq and Afghanistan. The fundamental purpose of Test and Evaluation (T&E) in the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Military Services remains the same as acquisition policies change. Four studies conducted by different groups between 1999 and 2006 consistently revealed similar concerns on the nature of the needed change. In a 22 December 2007 memorandum, Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) promulgated another round of new T&E policies.