RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Dr. Barton H. Halpern, director of the Army Research Office, a directorate of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory, retired after more than 30 years of federal service.
For the past five years, Halpern led ARO, an organization of more than 100 staff members, scientists and engineers that sets and executes the nationwide extramural research agenda and programs on Army focused basic science to provide critical enhancements to warfighter needs and revolutionary advances required for technological dominance of the future force.
“The director of ARO is responsible for leading at the confluence of two great institutions, the United States Army and the frontiers of science,” said Dr. Patrick Baker, DEVCOM ARL director. “This small cadre of scientific experts, managers and business professionals at ARO is the catalyst that sparks the reaction between our national scientific treasure and our Army national defense.”
As ARO director, Halpern was named to the Army’s Senior Executive Service in 2019.
During his time as ARO director, Halpern created the Office of the Chief Scientist at the Army Research Office, which has helped elevate the role of science in the Army's decision-making process, established a framework for identifying and prioritizing scientific research areas critical to the Army's future needs, and developed the vision and implemented the initial policy for the Army Research Risk Assessment Program.
He also led the reorganizing of ARO in support of the strategy to operate ARL by competencies, which has improved the Army's ability to identify and address critical gaps.
“Of my accomplishments at ARO, I’m most proud of empowering the development of people within ARO,” Halpern said. “We, as a team, have shifted the culture to support professional development and opportunities for our workforce. Throughout my career, I’ve learned that leadership is about the people. Be bold in your vision and bolder in your actions and ensure employees have opportunity and are empowered.”
“Don’t be afraid to take chances with different assignments/positions in the federal service,” Halpern said. “I have worked for the Army, Navy, had roles in NATO and a Joint Agency. These experiences made me a stronger leader.”
Halpern holds a doctorate degree in organization management from Cappela University and for the past 11 years, Halpern has also represented the United States Army in North Atlantic Treaty Organization and currently chairs the NATO Army Armaments Group. Prior to joining DEVCOM ARL, Halpern served in the Joint Service Small Arms Program Office at the DEVCOM Armaments Center located at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey
“I’m proud of my accomplishments and the teams I’ve been a part of and the impact we’ve had on our nation’s defense. However, I could not have done it without the support of my colleagues and friends and family along the way.”
As for his retirement plans, “Most people when they retire talk about wanting to travel and see the world,” Halpern said. “My federal service has allowed me to already see the world. From trips to Australia, Tokyo, Israel, Estonia, Lithuania, Spain, South Korea, Taiwan, Portugal, France, Belgium (more than 20 times), Hawaii, Alaska, Czech Republic, Hungary, Greece, The UK, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Italy and The Netherlands, to name just a few. My plans are to sit back for a few months and enjoy my surroundings in one location with my wife and family. After that we will see where my next adventure will be!”
“As I retire from public service, I want to express my deepest gratitude for the opportunity to serve our nation’s joint forces and advance state of the art defense technology to provide capabilities on the battlefield for our warfighters,” Halpern said. “I’m confident that the Army Research Laboratory will continue to be leaders in innovation and discovery and science and technology investments responding to the highest priorities of the Army. I look forward to seeing great things that are yet to come.”
Visit the laboratory's Media Center to discover more Army science and technology stories
The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory, known as DEVCOM ARL, is the Army’s research laboratory. Nested strategically within DEVCOM and the Army Futures Command, ARL’s mission is to Operationalize Science. ARL identifies and executes disruptive research leading to scientific discovery and emerging technologies for Army continuous transformation. A hallmark of ARL’s mission is collaborative partnerships to broaden Army access to expert talent and accelerate transitions of science-enabled capabilities. For more information, visit https://arl.devcom.army.mil/.
Social Sharing