REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Members of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command bade farewell to one of its senior civilian leaders during a ceremony Jan. 7.
Laurence H. Burger, director of the USASMDC/ARSTRAT Future Warfare Center and a member of the Senior Executive Service, retires after more than 30 years of government experience. In 1984, he began is government career with the Ballistic Missile Defense Systems Command, one of SMDC's forerunners.
"I have truly been blessed in my career as a civilian with the U.S. Army," Burger said. "I have witnessed and been a part of the old Ballistic Missile Defense Systems Command and Advanced Technology Center transitioning to the Strategic Defense Command, to become today's Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command. And, as it has matured, it has grown in relevance and importance to the Army, the joint force, and is now crucial for the defense of the nation. What an amazing opportunity in which to be a participant."
In his position, Burger outlined general program policy to support the Future Warfare Center's primary role in bringing space and missile defense capabilities and concepts to the Warfighter. Included in the FWC are the Space and Missile Defense Battle Lab, the Directorate for Combat Development, and the Simulations and Analysis Directorate.
"The dedication and teamwork of the entire work force at FWC," Burger said is what he is most proud of during his time at the command. "It's really how we have built a total team culture around delivering capability to the Warfighter, from today to decades in the future. Probably my proudest moment was when Gen. Robert W. Cone, then commander of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command told the chief of staff of the Army that he was very comfortable with the manner in which SMDC executed its space proponency mission for the Army. That validated that the FWC team had taken the right approach to one of our primary missions -- space proponency for the Army."
Burger also spoke about what he will miss most as he begins a new chapter in life.
"The people," he said. "And the daily interaction with the dedicated and focused professionals not only in the FWC, but across the operational, technical, and staff elements in the command."
Burger joined the Airborne Optical Adjunct Project Office, one of the first large Army missile Defense programs begun in the 1980s. He then served in roles of increasing responsibility including experimentation, requirements development, operational analyses, modeling and simulation, high performance computing, and systems engineering.
"What I have told new employees is that they are joining a great organization, a great family," he said. "The work SMDC does is critically important to the Army, and the Army recognizes that importance. Two of the three mission areas that are growing in the Army are space and missile defense. That is huge in today's downsizing Army."
Burger also talked about his legacy and what he wanted to be remembered for at SMDC.
"That the FWC is positioned with resources and partnerships to begin the next phase of our space, high altitude, and global missile defense missions," he said. "By that, I mean that the FWC has the organization, funding, and people to build the future space and missile defense forces and capabilities the Army and joint force will need. Crucial to accomplishing this will be continuing and expanding the partnerships with TRADOC, HQDA, and joint organizations."
Burger was born in Washington, D.C., but is a long-time resident of Huntsville. He earned a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Auburn University, where he was a member of Tau Beta Pi and Omega Chi Epsilon engineering honor societies. Burger is a member of the U.S. Army Acquisition Corps and various boards and review groups for space and missile defense systems.
"Who will I miss most is the FWC family," Burger said. "Many of us have worked together for 10 or more years, and some as many as 20. Over that time, we've watched each other's children grown, grandchildren born, and enjoyed many life events together. With that, we've developed personal friendships in addition to our professional relationships.
It's those personal friendships that I hope to continue, even though we will not have the daily and frequent interactions," he added.
During his ceremony, Burger received the Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service, the Honorable Order of Saint Dominic, a Senior Executive Service commendation, a certificate of appreciation, a three-star note from SMDC's commanding general, and a certificate of retirement and pin.
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