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DETROIT ARSENAL, Mich. – In an era of rising global uncertainty, U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command must push forward on production and modernization while continually looking for ways to improve.
That was a key message from Maj. Gen. Michael B. Lalor, TACOM commanding general, at the Depot and Arsenal Commanders’ Forum held Oct. 22-24 at the Detroit Arsenal.
The forum brought together personnel from across TACOM for discussions about innovation, priorities, challenges and how the organization can best fulfill its core mission of supporting U.S. Army readiness.
“What can we do a little bit better?” Lalor said during his opening remarks. “What can we be? How can we operate with more precision? And where can we go from here, all in the context of the world in which we operate?”
Lalor encouraged attendees – which included commanders and other leaders from Anniston Army Depot, Red River Army Depot, Sierra Army Depot, Watervliet Arsenal, Rock Island Arsenal-Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center, and Joint Systems Manufacturing Center-Lima – to “think about the possibilities.”
TACOM continues to focus on delivering ready combat formations, Lalor stated, and is seeing positive results as it extends capabilities to the tactical edge in both advanced manufacturing and production. That work is taking on increasing urgency as the U.S. faces heightened global pressures from foreign adversaries, the effects of climate change and other factors.
Along with improving internal processes, Lalor said he’d like to see TACOM take shots forward in two external areas: predictive realignment of the supply chain and the extension of depot capability. He also said it’s important to try to become more competitive with industry.
“We are at the forefront of helping drive this organization and AMC (U.S. Army Materiel Command) forward,” he said.
During the forum, commanders received briefings on operations and initiatives throughout TACOM. Modernization was a hot topic, with the organization playing a major role in the Army’s 15-year, $18 billion effort to modernize its organic industrial base.
Ahmed Mawari, deputy chief of staff for logistics, engineering and environmental, noted that 43 projects totaling $256 million were successfully executed in the 2024 fiscal year. They included water and sewer upgrades at Anniston Army Depot; the rebuilding of rail lines at Sierra Army Depot to improve material distribution; and forward progress on a plan to demolish unused housing at the Watervliet Arsenal, which will free up space for other uses.
“It was definitely a good year,” he said.
Brian Butler, deputy to the commander, said modernization includes not only infrastructure improvements, but also being innovative, embracing technology and investing in workforce education and skills-building.
Discussions at the forum also centered on the use of digital engineering and acquisition as TACOM strives to become nimbler. Lalor said Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy A. George is pushing to get systems and equipment in Soldiers’ hands earlier as part of transformation-in-contact, and then using their feedback to drive decisions around design and production.
“As we’re going into more of an agile environment, and we’re doing these design-test-feedback-redesign-test loops, it’s critical that we bring Soldiers in early and often,” said Marta Tomkiw, executive director of system integration and engineering, Ground Vehicle Systems Center.
Both Butler and Command Sgt. Maj. Kendra St Helen stressed the importance of building and maintaining relationships. St Helen said George has prioritized taking care of warfighters, and she encouraged people to regularly check in with family members, peers and colleagues to make sure they’re OK.
The TACOM Depot and Arsenal Commander’s Forum took place one week after the Association of the United States Army’s 2024 Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C.
Lalor said he noticed while at that event that the conversations around TACOM have changed. At last year’s conference, people asked him questions like, “How can we help you print your parts?” and “How can we make things for you?”
“Not one person asked me that this year. It was all shifted, because we have demonstrated all this past year our ability to produce,” Lalor said, saying that the questions he received this time focused on, “How can we be part of what you’re doing?”
St Helen said what TACOM accomplishes now will pave the way for success down the road.
“We’re executing today,” she said, “but we’re looking into the future.”
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