The U.S. Army's 7th Signal Command (Theater) held a change of command ceremony on Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, June 30, 2023. Brig. Gen. Charles R. "Rob" Parker, who has led the command since June 2022, relinquished command to Col. Eric J. Van Den Bosch.
Presiding over the ceremony at Club Meade was Maj. Gen. Christopher L. Eubank, Commanding General, U.S. Army Network Enterprise Command (NETCOM). In his remarks, Maj. Gen. Eubank commended Brig. Gen. Parker for his exemplary service during his tenure.
“Rob Parker came to 7th Signal Command a little over a year ago, and during that time, he inspired the command to greater heights of success by enabling warfighter functions to continue across the Department of Defense Information Network – Army,” said Maj. Gen. Eubank.
Brig. Gen. Parker also served as Deputy Commanding General of NETCOM while at 7th Signal Command (Theater). Under his command, the 7th established itself as NETCOM’s operational headquarters in the National Capital Region, helping plan and deliver substantial improvements to the CONUS digital infrastructure required by National Leaders, the Joint Force, and the Army for data-driven operations and decision making.
In his remarks, Brig. Gen. Parker praised his leadership team and reflected on the role of the command’s Soldier and Civilian workforce in achieving its mission. “People like each of you remain the Army's greatest and most important resource, and you will deliver the Unified Network capabilities needed for our Army,” he said. “I'm more than confident that the 7th Signal Command is fortunate to have exactly the right people, professionals, in the right places and at the right time to meet these challenges head-on and accomplish what must be done.”
Assuming command is Col. Eric J. Van Den Bosch, who brings to the role his experience across tactical, strategic, Army enterprise, joint, special operations, and coalition environments. His most recent assignment was as the Chief of Staff for the Network Cross Functional Team at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, where he played a crucial role in the Army's Integrated Tactical Network Modernization efforts.
In his remarks, COL Van Den Bosch said he was grateful for the opportunity to lead the command and its team. “Our Soldiers and our Nation depend on [7th Signal Command] every minute of every day to connect their complex decision-making and warfighting systems as we strive for peace and are ready to fight if need be,” he said.
At the close of the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Eubank welcomed Col. Van Den Bosch to the NETCOM family. “We are excited for what lies ahead,” said Maj. Gen. Eubank. “A strong foundation is here for you to command and lead the organization into the future.”
The 7th Signal Command (Theater) enables the Army’s ability to build, train, compete, fight, and win across complex Joint & Coalition Multi- and All-Domain environments. Its three subordinate brigades are the 93rd Signal Brigade headquartered at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia; 106th Signal Brigade at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas; and 21st Signal Brigade at Fort Detrick, Maryland.
The command was activated on 1 July 1975 at Fort Ritchie Maryland, and was tasked to oversee and support all CONUS signal operations, complementing 5th Signal Command in Europe and 6th Signal Command in the Pacific. The command provided communications, automation, visual information, printing and publications, and records management services to CONUS army units.
The 7th Signal Command was deactivated on 1 October 1993 and its functional support components were redistributed to Fort Detrick, Maryland and several other posts. On July 22, 2008, the 7th Signal Command was reactivated at Fort Gordon, Georgia as part of the “Grow the Army" initiative. On September 2, 2021, the Command uncased its flags at Fort Meade, Maryland, establishing a second headquarters element. The Command now executes split-based operations with intelligence, operations, planning and select special and personal staff functions at Fort Meade, Maryland. The personnel, acquisition, and resource management functions remain at Fort Gordon, Georgia.
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