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ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. -- Maj. Gen. John George assumed leadership of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command during a Change of Command ceremony at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, Nov. 1.
More than 600 Soldiers, Army civilians, contractors, family members and distinguished guests gathered for the time-honored tradition and passing of the colors at the Myer Auditorium as George assumed command from Maj. Gen. Cedric Wins. The U.S. Army Field Band Brass Quintet provided music for the ceremony, and CCDC Chaplain Lt. Col. David Snyder delivered the invocation.
Gen. John Murray, commanding general of Army Futures Command, presided over the ceremony that officiated the move of George from deputy director and chief of staff of AFC's Futures and Concepts Center to commanding general of AFC's lead command for science, technology, research and development.
WELCOMING GEORGE
"To the remarkable men and women of CCDC-- to some degree, I feel like I already know you because we've been working together a bit under this new Army Futures Command," said George, who graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1988.
"I've got to say, I've always been impressed with the depth of your knowledge, your expertise…your enthusiasm and your outright commitment to giving our warfighters what they need," George said. "I'm so proud, today, to join your team."
During his 31 years of service, George has held numerous command and staff positions, including: the 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson; 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell; The United States Military Academy, West Point; NATO Joint Command Southeast, Izmir, Turkey; Headquarters Department of the Army, The Pentagon; Strategic Initiatives Group, Office of the Secretary of the Army; United States European Command, Stuttgart, Germany; and Force Development, G8, Department of the Army.
Murray expressed his confidence in George's unique skill set that will enable him to lead CCDC and the Army's largest talent pool of scientists, engineers, technicians and analysts.
"We could not have found a better commander or command team to lead this organization," Murray said. "John is the right person at this time. I see value in the linkage of concepts and technology…concepts driving innovation and your innovation driving future concepts is one of the most critical things we can contribute to your Army."
George holds master's degree in social psychology from Pennsylvania State University and a master's degree in national resource strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
George becomes the second leader of CCDC after the command transitioned from the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command to CCDC under the Army Futures Command on Feb. 3, 2019.
BIDDING WINS FAREWELL
Wins relinquished command of CCDC after more than three years leading the Army's scientific and technical workforce. He assumed command of the Research, Development and Engineering Command on Aug. 9, 2016 and led the command through business reforms, reprioritization of command S&T portfolios, and the transition from RDECOM to CCDC.
"It has been a great honor and fulfilling culmination of my career to lead a group of such talented individuals," Wins said.
Murray lauded Wins for his steadfast leadership and support to CCDC over the past three years.
"Cedric and his team, in no small part, have changed the world, and leadership matters," Murray said. "Leadership plays a huge part in every success and every failure. Cedric has been a huge part of your success."
Wins will retire from military service, after a 34-year career, during a ceremony at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Nov. 6.
"It's always bittersweet to hand over command, but I'm confident you [Maj. Gen. George] and CCDC will continue to deliver for our Army as one whole organization," Wins said. "I'll be watching with great satisfaction knowing that my old CCDC team, and its teammates and partners, are still forging the future for the greatest Army in the world."
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The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC), has the mission to provide the research, engineering, and analytical expertise to deliver capabilities that enable the Army to deter and, when necessary, decisively defeat any adversary now and in the future. 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 to accomplish this mission. CCDC is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Futures Command.
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