Colonel Raymond (Ray) K. Compton is the first Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC), having assumed that role when the Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) became CCDC upon transition into the Army Futures Command (AFC) on Feb. 3, 2019. Prior to that, Compton served as the RDECOM Chief of Staff.
CCDC has the mission to provide innovative research, development and engineering to produce capabilities that provide decisive overmatch to the Army against the complexities of the current and future operating environments in support of the Joint Warfighter and the Nation.
A 1989 Distinguished Military Science graduate from Christopher Newport University, Newport News, Va., Compton was commissioned in the Signal Corps and graduated from the Signal Officer Basic Course in 1989. He is also a graduate of the Signal Officer Advance Course and Airborne School.
Compton first served as a platoon leader in the 526th Signal Company, 86th Signal Battalion in Fort Huachuca, Az. He also served as a platoon leader in the 505th Signal Company, and deployed his platoon to Desert Shield/Storm. He then served as executive officer for the 19th Signal Company, 11th Signal Brigade in Fort Hood, Texas. In October 1992, he was assigned as the S3 Systems Engineering Officer, 11th Signal Brigade, and was deployed to Somalia for Operation Restore Hope and Operation Continue Hope.
Following the Advance Course, Compton was assigned to 5th Signal Command in Worms, Germany, as an operations officer. He deployed to Africa for Operation Support Hope, and then to Bosnia for Operation Joint Endeavor. In March 1995, he was chief of the Theater Network Operations Center, and in December 1995, served as an engineering officer for Current Operations Division. In May 1996, Compton assumed command of 181st Signal Company, 43rd Signal Battalion in Heidelberg, Germany, which he deployed in support of Operation Joint Endeavor/Guard, Bosnia. Compton attended advanced civilian schooling and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College from 1998 to 2001.
In June 2001, he served as assistant project manager, PM Ground Combat Tactical Trainers, PEO-STRI, and deployed a team in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan.
At the RDECOM Simulation and Training Technology Center in Orlando, Fla., from July 2004 to August 2006, Compton served as director of military operations and as acting center director from August 2006 to July 2008. From July 2008 to July 2011, Compton served as the product manager of Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) Increment 1, an ACAT 1D program. From September 2011 to September 2012, he served as military deputy of Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, followed by a year as the RDECOM G-3/5/7.
Compton served as commander, U.S. Army Electronic Proving Ground, Fort Huachuca, Az., and graduated from the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pa., in 2016.
Compton's military decorations and honors include: the Legion of Merit (1st OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (2nd OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2nd OLC), Army Achievement Medal (3rd OLC), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, GWOT Expeditionary Medal, GWOT Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd OLC), NATO Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Combat Action Badge, and Parachutist Badge. He was also awarded the Order of Saint Barbara, Order of Saint Maurice, Bronze Order of Mercury and the Knowlton Award.
Compton holds a bachelor of science in computer science, and a Master of Science in modeling and simulation and Masters of Strategic Studies.
Compton is married and has two children.
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The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, formerly known as the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM), has the mission to lead in the discovery, development and delivery of the technology-based capabilities required to make Soldiers more lethal to win our Nation's wars and come home safely. The command collaborates across the Future Force Modernization Enterprise and its own global network of domestic and international partners in academia, industry and other government agencies. CCDC is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Futures Command.
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