ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. – Command Sgt. Maj. Bryan D. Barker assumed responsibility as the command sergeant major for the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, or DEVCOM, during a ceremony here on June 21.
Barker assumed responsibility from Sgt. Maj. Luke Blum, who had been DEVCOM’s acting command sergeant major since the departure and retirement of Command Sgt. Maj. Jon Stanley in April.
Deputy to the Commanding General John T. Willison presided over the ceremony as DEVCOM’s senior leader. Brigadier Gen. Edmond “Miles” Brown was recently named the next DEVCOM commander and is scheduled to take command in July.
“The DEVCOM command sergeant major has a unique role as advisor to the commanding general, as a focal point for Soldier-Centered Design, and as the primary connection to the operational Army. We look to our command sergeant major to lead the way,” Willison said.
DEVCOM, which comprises eight reporting units and three regionally aligned international elements, is the Army’s largest technology developer. Soldier-Centered Design and Experimentation is key to DEVCOM’s mission to rapidly deliver next-generation capabilities to Soldiers. In 2021, the command will conduct more than 200 Soldier touch point experiments where it takes developmental technologies into a realistic combat environment to troubleshoot with Soldiers in real time.
Before joining DEVCOM, Barker was command sergeant major of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Born and raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Barker joined the Army in June 1996 and served various positions as an Infantryman throughout his career. His overseas assignments include a tour in Germany, with deployments to Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland and Ukraine. His other deployments include six combat deployments to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, eight combat deployments to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and one deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Resolute Support.
As the senior Noncommissioned Officer in DEVCOM, Barker will oversee the NCOs who are located across the command. Many of the NCOs work side-by-side with the scientists, engineers, technicians and analysts, sharing their experiences and challenges with technology and equipment in the field.
“I look forward to being your command sergeant major, the voice of Soldiers, and your champion in assisting in getting the resources and support you need,” Barker said.
Barker has received numerous awards and decorations, including the Order of Saint Maurice, the Order of Saint George, and the Order of Saint Barbara.
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