FORT NOVOSEL, Ala. – As the Directorate of Evaluation and Standardization (DES) celebrated 70 years of service, current and former members gathered at Fort Novosel Oct. 4, 2024 to reflect on the organization's evolution and contributions to Army Aviation.
The weeklong event was a testament to DES's lasting impact, not just within the Army, but also on the nation. Founded in 1954, DES initially focused on overseeing and evaluating the schoolhouse after Army Aviation moved to Camp Rucker. Over the years its mission evolved and today DES ensures standardization of Army Aviation operations worldwide, ensuring the highest standards of training and safety are met.
“You’re expected to influence and affect things in every unit and every component across whether that is regulatory compliance, whether that’s training support, whether that is validating training programs,” said retired Maj. Gen. William K. Gayler, former aviation branch chief. “Don’t ever waver on standards. This is about human life, this is what we do. There are so few people that volunteer to defend this nation, we must do everything we can to protect them and ensure that they are trained.”
The event saw the reunion of over one-hundred and sixty-six current and former DES officers, serving as a chance to share stories and experiences, and honor the legacy leaders who have helped shape the organization into what it is today. The event also included a tour of the brand-new training support facility.
Through its constant dedication to maintaining and enforcing standards, regulatory compliance to training support, and validating training programs, DES's impact has been felt at every level.
"The mission of DES has evolved and adapted to meet the ever-changing needs of Army Aviation, the Army, and the nation," said Col. Joe McCarthy, the current director of DES. "But what has not changed is our commitment to promoting and enforcing standards in training and safety. Because to be 'Above the Best', we must be the best."
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