Aug 8, 2012

The Army Base Camp Integration Laboratory at Fort Devens, Mass., is a glimpse into the Army's future. Testing is under way there on innovative technologies to produce and conserve energy, reuse water and dispose of waste.

Aug 6, 2012

Four Department of the Army civilians and one Soldier from the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center jumped out of CH-47 Chinook helicopters Aug. 4 and 5, participating in "Leapfest 30," the International Military Parachute Competition held annually by the Rhode Island Army National Guard. Leapfest is the largest international static-line parachute competition (and training event) and is in its 30th year, making it the longest-standing event of its kind.

Aug 2, 2012

Visitors to the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center July 26 on its first "Science for the Soldier Day" included Northeastern University's Young Scholars students. This program is an annual guest at NSRDEC, and this year 28 students from the Greater Boston area toured some of the base's facilities and saw a variety of fundamental science and technologies on display.

Aug 1, 2012

Research chemists at Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center believe they may have found a way to make food last longer, create better flame retardant materials, and possibly develop a cancer fighting drug?

Jul 27, 2012

Science can have profound impacts on Soldiers' lives. That message came through loud and clear July 26, 2012, at Natick Soldier Systems Center, Mass., where basic research scientists from the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center offered their inaugural "Science for the Soldier Day."

Jul 25, 2012

For the second year in a row the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine is hosting the Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science program at Natick Soldier Systems Center in Massachusetts.

Jul 24, 2012

Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center hosted a Land and Sea Robotics Camp for 20 middle school students assisted by 14 high school volunteers, July 9-12, 2012, and July 16-19, 2012.

Jul 23, 2012

A young researcher from the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine has received top honors for scientific excellence.

Jul 18, 2012

Braintree, Mass., became the 28th Massachusetts community and among more than 500 nationally to sign an Armed Forces Community Covenant in a July 18, 2012, ceremony at its 100-year-old town hall.

Jul 16, 2012

The "Operational Rations of the Department of Defense" ration book recently released by the DOD Combat Feeding Directorate at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center seems to offer something for every palate.

Jul 16, 2012

Dr. Jack Obusek, Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center director, shared some insight he gleaned from his recent trip to Afghanistan with the NSRDEC workforce July 10.

Jul 12, 2012

Christopher Doona of the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, uses the tools of science to do battle against disease-causing microorganisms.

Jul 11, 2012

In an effort to promote better understanding of their work, basic research scientists from the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center will present "Science for the Soldier Day," July 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at NSSC's Lord Community Center.

Jul 10, 2012

Many of you may have heard about a program called Army Community Services; maybe you saw a display or a handout. But do you really know what ACS offers our community?

Jun 29, 2012

Thirteen students from the Research Science Institute at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology visited Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, June 26, 2012, to learn a little bit about what goes on there.

Jun 27, 2012

Two members of the Special Operations Forces Survival, Support & Equipment Systems team at Natick Soldier Systems Center received the 2012 Acquisition Innovator Team Award from the Special Operations Research, Development and Acquisition Center in a June 22 ceremony at NSSC.

Jun 26, 2012

What is the true measure of today's Soldier? If the question were philosophical, the answer could stir some debate. From a physical standpoint, however, Dr. Claire Gordon and Cynthia Blackwell will soon provide as accurate an answer as you're likely to find anywhere.

Jun 25, 2012

The Natick Soldier Systems Center welcomed residents from surrounding communities onto the installation June 23 for the inaugural NSSC 5K Fun Run/Walk.

Jun 22, 2012

The U.S. Army Garrison-Natick honors our Nation's Flag by playing Reveille in the morning and Retreat/To the Colors in the evening. Certain conduct is expected from men and women on the installation during these ceremonies.

Jun 18, 2012

In less than seven years Staff Sgt. Sharalis Canales has transformed herself from a homeless New York City resident to a well-respected noncommissioned officer at the Natick Soldier Systems Center.

Jun 5, 2012

This close to Boston, green is a popular color -- especially with the Celtics making an unexpectedly strong run in the NBA playoffs. When people talk "green" at the Natick Soldier Systems Center these days, however, they could just as easily be discussing the environment as basketball.

Jun 4, 2012

Do you get the nagging feeling that you might be flirting with an accident? Well, it could be time to see "The Safety Doctor" for a checkup.

Jun 4, 2012

The Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center Department of Defense Combat Feeding Directorate supported the Sea Air Space exhibit at the Gaylord Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., April 16-18.

Jun 1, 2012

Cooperation between government, private industry and academia to benefit the warfighter took center stage May 29, 2012, at the ninth meeting of the Natick Soldier Systems Center Science and Technology Board.

May 31, 2012

Thirteen Soldiers from the Natick Soldier Systems Center took part in the "Freedom Trail" event May 5 at the Longfellow Sports Club in Natick.

May 29, 2012

In New England, Red Sox Nation is a way of life. For an Army specialist, who grew up in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, as the daughter of a church organist, and a huge Red Sox fan, Memorial Day 2012 is something Erin Jones will never forget.

May 23, 2012

Soldiers from the U.S. Army Institute of Environmental Medicine participated in an exercise where they faced roadside bombs, reacted to attacks and defeated the enemy all while never leaving Natick Soldier Systems Center in Natick, Mass.

May 21, 2012

A dozen active duty Soldiers and civilians from Natick Soldier Systems Center participated in the Boston Red Sox Run-Walk to Home Base, May 20, 2012.

May 21, 2012

On a normal day at the Natick Soldier Systems Center's dining facility, Soldiers mull in and out, get their lunch and go back to their place of duty. Recently, the facility was filled with stories of the past as 12 Natick veterans visited for an Armed Forces Day luncheon.

May 11, 2012

The Natick Soldier Systems Center held its annual antiterrorism/emergency management exercise May 10, 2012, to test personnel from NSSC, other state and federal agencies, and first responders from surrounding communities, who would react to an actual crisis situation on the installation.

May 9, 2012

In an effort to reach out to surrounding communities, the Natick Soldier Systems Center will hold a 5K Fun Run/Walk June 23.

May 8, 2012

The folks at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center's Department of Defense Combat Feeding Directorate believe that microwave sterilization could revolutionize what Soldiers eat on the battlefield.

May 7, 2012

Pfc. Melvin Hurn was raised in a family that appreciates creativity and service, and Hurn continues both traditions as a Soldier and an artist with exceptional talent and generosity.

May 7, 2012

The senior commander of the Natick Soldier Systems Center reminded its workforce of their great value to service members May 3 during a town hall meeting in Hunter Auditorium.

May 3, 2012

The 6th annual Natick Soldier Systems Center Showcase was held at the Massachusetts State House, May 2, 2012. Visitors learned about what Soldiers wear, carry and eat.

Apr 30, 2012

A dedicated group of high school and middle school teachers spent their April vacations developing skills at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center that they will apply later in their classrooms.

Apr 27, 2012

Lt. Col. Daniel Johnston, medical director of Comprehensive Soldier Fitness, briefed an audience at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center on April 9 about the different changes CSF is going through, including its effort to focus on physical well-being and assist not only the war fighter, but Soldiers' families and Army civilians.

Apr 26, 2012

Potential scientists, mathematicians and engineers of the future roamed the Natick Soldier Systems Center campus, April 20, 2012, during the 15th annual Bring Your Daughters & Sons to Work Day.

Apr 26, 2012

At an age when children should have nothing more to worry about than grade school, Albert Linder was simply trying to stay alive.

Apr 23, 2012

Most of us have experienced the occasional workday that goes up in flames. For Peggy Auerbach, however, that's a normal occurrence.

Apr 19, 2012

All Army email users will migrate to Enterprise Email service, which means that email services will now be under Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). The migration of emails will take place April 24-25 at Natick Soldier Systems Center.

Apr 16, 2012

When Master Sgt. Ed Devine of the 804th Medical Brigade from Fort Devens, Mass., returned in November 2011 from a yearlong deployment to Iraq, he figured he would have plenty of chores to do around the house. Devine couldn't have been more mistaken.

Apr 10, 2012

Two members of the Soldier Equipment Support Team at Natick Soldier Systems Center studied the best way to commercially clean rather than replace Improved Outer Tactical Vests.

Apr 9, 2012

An injury he suffered during a high altitude-low opening parachute jump 15 years ago ended his own career as a Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance combat medic, but Wayne Matheny never stopped caring about others in uniform.

Apr 6, 2012

Workers at Natick Soldier Systems Center are now able to take self-defense classes during their lunch break every Thursday, thanks to Casey Burns. Burns, a Natick employee who earned his black belt in Hap Ki Do, teaches the six-week course.

Apr 4, 2012

After five days of competition that pushed four Soldiers' physical abilities and technical expertise, Staff Sgt. Markus Whisman and Pfc. Joshua Inserra earned honors March 30 as the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command's Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year, respectively. RDECOM's enlisted corps serves an important role by acting as Soldier representatives with the Army's scientists and engineers, Command Sgt. Maj. Lebert Beharie said. RDECOM Director Dale Ormond and Beharie presented the winners Army Commendation Medals; gift certificates from AAFES and Morale, Welfare and Recreation; and an RDECOM backpack filled with T-shirts.

Apr 3, 2012

One day, you're a seventh-grader. The next day, you're a Soldier -- well, temporarily, that is.

Apr 2, 2012

Seventeen years after four Soldiers died from hypothermia during the final phase of Ranger School, researchers at the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine at Natick Soldier Systems Center continue to study how the human body cools down, in hopes of one day developing medical techniques to help prevent such tragedies.

Mar 29, 2012

Chris Pentheny will never forget Valentine's Day, 1972, when he started a job where he would spend the next 40 years, at what came to be known as the Natick Soldier Systems Center.

Mar 27, 2012

Secretary of the Army John McHugh visited the Natick Soldier Systems Center and saw the science behind the Soldier.

Mar 27, 2012

Ways for the workforce to stay healthy took center stage during the 2012 Health & Wellness Fair held March 23 at the Natick Soldier Systems Center.

Mar 26, 2012

Luisa DeMorais and her team will go to any lengths to make certain that the items service members wear and carry are performing to their full potential -- even if it means doing 96 loads of laundry in a single day.

Mar 21, 2012

Education can empower women. That was the message delivered March 21 at the U.S. Army Garrison Natick by Lt. Col. Iris M. Sobchak, the command inspector general for the Massachusetts National Guard.

Mar 19, 2012

Secretary of the Army John McHugh glimpsed the Army's energy future March 16, 2012, while attending the Army Power & Energy Initiatives Breakfast and visiting the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Mar 19, 2012

The designer of the new Individual First Aid Kit, or IFAK, discusses improvements to the first aid kit and how soon Soldiers will see the new kit.

Mar 15, 2012

Secretary of the Army John McHugh got a look at what Soldiers wear, eat and carry during a visit to the Natick Soldier Systems Center, March 15, 2012.

Mar 13, 2012

Logistics, often perceived as an afterthought, is at the forefront of the Army's efforts to equip Soldiers with what they need in the manner that will assist them best.

Mar 12, 2012

The Military Performance Division of the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine is trying to find better ways to measure Soldier performance than the Army Physical Fitness Test.

Mar 6, 2012

The 101st Sustainment Brigade commander and various staff members, who recently returned from Afghanistan, came to the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center Feb. 28 to discuss airdrop capabilities with employees.

Mar 5, 2012

Many Soldiers have called the Army their home over the years. Few have meant it more than Staff Sgt. Sharalis Canales of the Natick Soldier Systems Center.

Mar 1, 2012

Eyes might provide insight for researchers at the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, who are evaluating and working to improve methods for detecting traumatic brain injuries in Soldiers while they are still deployed.

Mar 1, 2012

When David Faigin took delivery of the book, he knew he held a smash hit in his hands. Never mind that it would never find its way onto the New York Times Best Sellers list. In fact, he couldn't care less that not a single copy would ever be sold.

Feb 23, 2012

Since 1998, the John Andrew Mazie Memorial Foundation has paired adult volunteer mentors with at-risk Framingham High School students. Over 14 years, the program has helped 440 teenagers who were referred by Framingham High staff based on their needs.

Feb 22, 2012

"NSSC This Week," the biweekly newsletter of the Natick Soldier Systems Center, took first place in the 2011 U.S. Army Installation Management Command Maj. Gen. Keith L. Ware public affairs communications awards, which were announced Feb. 21.

Feb 21, 2012

The senior commander of the Natick Soldier Systems Center could think of no better place to spend Presidents Day. That's why Brig. Gen. John J. McGuiness spoke Feb. 20 to members of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, situated at Faneuil Hall in Boston, during its 127th Presidents Day Luncheon.

Feb 17, 2012

The Modular Ballistic Protection System, under development at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center was designed to protect Soldiers in temporary camps.

Feb 7, 2012

The deputy assistant secretary of the Army for research and technology said Soldiers provide the decisive edge as she outlined the role of science and technology in solving the problems and meeting the challenges confronting the Army, during a Feb. 6, 2012, visit to the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center.

Feb 2, 2012

The new Individual First Aid Kit being developed at the Natick Soldier Systems Center eventually will be carried by every Soldier in a combat environment.

Jan 31, 2012

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. -- Maj. Gen. Nick Justice will retire Feb. 13 after 42 years of U.S. Army service. He assumed command of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command Dec. 4, 2009, from Maj. Gen. Paul Izzo. Dale Ormond will become RDECOM's acting director Feb. 10. The following excerpts are from Justice's exit interview with RDECOM historian Jeff Smart.

Jan 31, 2012

The Natick Soldier Systems Center senior commander served as the keynote speaker Jan. 27 at the TD Bank Breakfast Series held by the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce at the Courtyard by Marriott in Natick.

Jan 30, 2012

The Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center is evaluating wool fabrics for use in combat clothing.

Jan 26, 2012

Imagine cutting your home fuel consumption costs in half. That would be tough enough in a conventional house. Now think about trying it in a tent.

Jan 26, 2012

Drop zone testing options for the Airdrop Technology Team at Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center have been used to ensure Science and Technology research projects stay on schedule and within budget.

Jan 25, 2012

In 2011, mobility Airmen delivering airdrops reached a new annual record with 75,956,235 pounds of cargo delivered. That's nearly 16 million more pounds delivered than the previous record set in 2010 of 60,400,000.

Jan 24, 2012

Spc. Hedrick Porrata of the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine at Natick Soldier Systems Center realized his lifelong dream to become a doctor by passing the medical board recently in Worcester, Mass.

Jan 20, 2012

Members of the Natick Soldier Systems Center community came together Jan. 18 at the Lord Community Center to raise issues and concerns during the 2012 NSSC Army Family Action Plan Conference.

Jan 17, 2012

A military professional from the U.S. Army Law Enforcement community will be recognized in a big way this April for his significant contributions in combating sexual assault and violence against women.

Jan 13, 2012

The Army is now one step closer to selecting a new set of camouflage patterns that could replace what Soldiers are wearing now in most places.

Jan 12, 2012

When Don Lee relaxes on his couch at home to take in the NFL playoffs on TV, chances are he watches the games a little bit differently than most people.

Jan 12, 2012

A team charged with establishing an Army-wide standardized disability evaluation system has convened to improve the Army's portion of the Department of Defense's Integrated Disability Evaluation System, through which it is determined whether or not service members are fit for continued service.

Jan 11, 2012

After its initial decorating contest in October, the U.S. Army Garrison-Natick Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation Center organized another holiday-themed contest for the Natick Soldier Systems Center Family Housing areas.

Jan 10, 2012

An NCO from the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine became a second lieutenant in a commissioning ceremony Jan. 9, 2012, at Natick Soldier Systems Center, Mass.

Jan 5, 2012

Three full facial transplants have been accomplished with funding from an Army contract and officials at the Natick Soldier Systems Center hope the technology can be used on wounded warriors.

Dec 28, 2011

The winning units for the 2012 Philip A. Connelly Award for Excellence in Army food service have been selected for the active Army, National Guard and Reserve components. The U.S. Army Quartermaster School, which is part of the Combined Arms Support Command, headquartered at Fort Lee, Va., manages the program through the Joint Culinary Center of Excellence. The International Food Service Executives Association and Department of the Army G-4 are co-sponsors of this awards program.

Dec 20, 2011

Many positive developments have taken place at the Natick Soldier Systems Center during the past six months and more opportunities are coming, Brig. Gen. John J. McGuiness told the NSSC workforce during a Dec. 16 town hall meeting in Hunter Auditorium.

Dec 19, 2011

The CUBE system promises a more reliable, cost-effective way to sling load vital liquids to the field.

Dec 14, 2011

In a Dec. 13 visit to Natick Soldier Systems Center, Heidi Shyu, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, urged the workforce to focus on identifying capability gaps and filling them cost-effectively against the backdrop of shrinking budgets.

Dec 13, 2011

Five members of the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group came Dec. 12 to the Natick Soldier Systems Center to tour the installation's unique facilities.

Dec 9, 2011

If you live in one of the Natick Soldier Systems Center Family Housing areas, you might have noticed that it's beginning to look a lot like the holidays.

Dec 9, 2011

When it comes to Army footwear for mountainous terrain, the other shoe -- well, combat boot -- has clearly dropped.

Dec 7, 2011

Returning to the region where he had his first assignment more than four decades ago, Maj. Gen. Nick Justice, Commander of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, came to the Natick Soldier Systems Center on Dec. 6 to say goodbye.

Dec 6, 2011

SAN ANTONIO -- One of the world's greatest leaders was a gate guard who worked at the main gate of Fort Benning, Ga. What made Mr. McCoy so great was that he knew his job was more than checking ID cards. With his awesome attitude, he conveyed to every person passing through his lane that he cared.

Dec 2, 2011

What could be more rewarding than making sure that everyone has at least one gift to open over the holidays?

Dec 1, 2011

As long as there has been a Natick Soldier Systems Center, there have been Human Research Volunteers who brought the research and development to life. This year, NSSC is sponsoring the "Adopt an HRV" program to help take care of some of the HRVs who are deployed in harm's way.

Nov 28, 2011

Colonel (P) Walter Piatt will do anything in his power to help infantry squads win on the battlefield. And when he visited the Natick Soldier Systems Center on Nov. 21, he found plenty of like-minded people.

Nov 28, 2011

When he first saw the flyers requesting coloring books for wounded warriors, Steve Russell knew he and his co-workers could help in some way.

Nov 21, 2011

Recalling that a year ago, he was in Afghanistan, Brig. Gen. John J. McGuiness reminded employees of the Natick Soldier Systems Center how important their work is, that they need to take care of each other over the holidays, and that they shouldn't forget deployed service members.

Nov 17, 2011

Speaking at the National American Indian Heritage Month observance Nov. 16 at Hunter Auditorium on U.S. Army Garrison-Natick, Chief Caring Hands of the Natick Praying Indians told of the many contributions Native Americans have made to the nation's military.

Nov 17, 2011

Soldiers who showed creativity and innovation in developing field-feeding equipment earned the first Army Food Advisor Innovation Awards, which were presented Nov. 15 at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center.

Nov 14, 2011

Veterans from American conflicts dating back to World War II gathered Nov. 11 at the Lord Community Center on Natick Soldier Systems Center for the annual Town of Natick Veterans Appreciation Dinner.