Washington, D.C. - Lt. Gen. Michael A. Vane, the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command deputy commanding general, Futures and Director of the Army Capabilities Integration Center, retired after more than 36 years of active duty and almost four years as TRADOC deputy, Futures, and ARCIC director in a ceremony this afternoon at the Pentagon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.
“To everybody that is here, I appreciate what you have done for our family, and probably more importantly what you have done for the Army. I have enjoyed going to work … nearly every day, nearly every minute of [the past] thirty-six years. I love my work, and I love the people that were there working with me.”
Vane personally thanked many of those in attendance for the impact they have made to improve how the Army does business. “Thank you for what you’re doing personally,” he said. “To get precision in cost estimating, connect the soldier in better, talk better to the services, be transparent with what you’re doing " and what the services are doing. It’s making a difference.”
Ceremony host, Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, 37th Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, talked about Vane’s leadership ability, his uncommon level of innovation, and the lasting changes he has made within the Army culture.
“As all great Army leaders, he has commanded with great success at every level. But he also has displayed an uncommon level of creativity and innovation,” he said. “My personal observation is that some of us are really good at leading, and others of us tend to be a little inventive, but few of us excel at both. I can say with absolute certainty that Mike does both as well as anyone I have ever observed.”
He added that what he will remember most about Vane’s service is what he accomplished as TRADOC deputy commander, Futures and ARCIC director. “Over the last four years, Mike has actually changed the culture of our Army. Under his leadership, concepts have been accelerated, we have begun to merge evaluation and testing to get emerging capabilities into the hands of soldiers sooner, we have pushed the envelope on connecting soldiers to digital applications… He has made us think hard about outcomes, about integration, and about ensuring our decisions are resource-informed.”
During the Ceremony, Vane was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and Liane, his wife, was awarded the Department of the Army’s Certificate of Appreciation for her unselfish, faithful and devoted service, and unfailing support that helped make possible her husband’s lasting contribution to the nation.
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