White Sands Missile Range, N.M. (Aug. 19, 2025) –In a dynamic move to bolster community connections and foster collaboration among organizations, White Sands Missile Range's Senior Commander Col. Andrew R. Morgan and Command Sgt. Maj. Hermes Acevedo hosted a highly impactful and inclusive “Meet the Command Team Townhall” on Aug. 14, 2025.
This pivotal event aimed to bring together staff from the White Sands Missile Range Command Group, the White Sands Missile Range Army Test and Evaluation Command team, the White Sands Test Center, U.S. Army Garrison White Sands Missile Range, and influential leaders from various mission partner organizations. By uniting these diverse groups, the town hall aimed to foster a strong sense of unity and a shared commitment to their collective mission.
The primary focus of the town hall was to introduce the Senior Commander's “Team WSMR” initiatives, which are three interconnected visions: the Command Climate Vision, the Team WSMR Vision, and Community Commitment. The goal is for these three visions or concepts to be at the heart of everything done at White Sands Missile Range and will continue to guide the workforce in future endeavors.
Team WSMR Command Climate Vision
Morgan presented his “Team WSMR Command Climate Vision,” an initiative designed to foster a healthy community and workplace environment at White Sands Missile Range. The concept of “Team WSMR” embodies the collective spirit of all those who consider the range their workplace, home, or both. Through this inclusive approach, Team WSMR aims to foster a supportive environment that encourages personal and professional growth for all individuals involved.
The vision outlines that Team WSMR is service-oriented, character-minded, invested in one another, team-oriented, committed to its mission, thoughtful in decision-making, open-minded, and focused on transforming the future.
A key emphasis of the initiative is service to the community and the nation's defense. The core values of integrity and accountability underpin WSMR's commitment to upholding high standards. Team WSMR is expected to prioritize its people, foster trust, and promote professional growth within a supportive team environment, all while dedicating itself to creating a safe and thriving workplace.
“The second tenet of the Command Climate Vision is that we are character-minded,” Morgan explained. “Who you are as a person and how you conduct yourself is just as important as your technical expertise.”
Morgan stressed that the most significant asset at WSMR is its people. While the range boasts significant resources, such as land and equipment—both of which can be acquired or expanded—he believes the most crucial investment is in developing talent and skills. This process takes time and is what truly propels WSMR forward.
“It takes years to cultivate a workforce as talented as we have here. For that reason, leaders and supervisors must be invested in the people around them,” Morgan stated.
Moreover, the vision emphasizes that effective decision-making requires a thorough evaluation of risks and consideration of stakeholders' interests to reach well-informed solutions. Supporting final decisions—even when compromises are necessary—is vital to the process. The organization is also committed to fostering an inclusive culture based on dignity and respect, valuing diverse perspectives and promoting open-mindedness. As WSMR moves forward, adaptability and innovation will be essential, reinforcing its status as the First to Test.
Team WSMR Vision
The “Team WSMR Vision” is both mission-focused and community-minded. This means that the commitment to Army Transformation and Joint Force modernization is not just the responsibility of the leadership, but a shared goal that requires the active participation and support of all members of the diverse communities surrounding White Sands Missile Range. These communities include both military and civilian populations.
“We are more than just 2.2 million acres of desert impact area, we are important instrumentation and we are an important people that have taken years to get to the point where we are today. All those things comprise of what we are now,” said Morgan. “It is self-evident that we are America's Range. We are 17% of the Army's land holdings, and when you add the extension areas and McGregor Range, we are like a quarter of it.”
As America's Range, WSMR is poised to lead significant military initiatives by fostering breakthrough innovations within its unique environment. The team is dedicated to modernizing its exceptional assets and capabilities while accelerating transformation through adaptive execution and continuous learning.
Morgan acknowledges that as the value of testing increases, the workforce has diminished. He asked how personnel can improve processes to be more efficient and intelligent. Morgan’s focus is the importance of learning new skills, specifically in data literacy and artificial intelligence, to create new efficiencies.
To effectively communicate Team WSMR's story, various initiatives are in progress. These include creating networks of leaders and subject matter experts, energizing community partnerships, engaging in outreach efforts, and facilitating interactions with senior leaders. Central to these initiatives is the goal of building a strong brand that reflects a sense of belonging, shared experiences, core values, and trust within the community.
Team WSMR Community Commitment
The “Team WSMR Community Commitment” outlines the expectations set by the commander for all personnel who work and residents who live on the range. It stresses the importance of unity and shared values among its members. At the heart of the mission lies a dedication to integrity, encouraging individuals to do the right thing even when no one is watching and to hold themselves and others accountable.
It is also essential for the community to have an immense sense of pride in its contributions to the mission, along with a commitment to excellence in both professional and personal endeavors. Due to the high-risk nature of the environment, prioritizing safety is crucial, which involves fostering hazard awareness and ensuring strict compliance with established guidelines.
The community is also expected to promote kindness by encouraging dignity and respect for all, fostering trust through the belief that everyone has good intentions. By fostering a spirit of teamwork and neighborliness, members commit to taking care of one another, reinforcing the idea that they are all a part of the same team.
Old is New Again
The town hall presented a big surprise for the community when Morgan unveiled a modified version of the red, white, and blue WSMR emblem that visually represents the range to the world. The upper half of the circle features the phrase “America's Range,” while the bottom half states “First to Test.”
To clarify the new slogan, Morgan shared the moment when the phrase “America's Range” came to Acevedo during a briefing. This phrase sparked an “aha” moment between the two, as it accurately encapsulated the range. Morgan also emphasized that the White Sands Missile Range has celebrated many significant milestones throughout its history, including the Trinity Site test, which was among the first of its kind. This is where the concept of “First to Test” originates.
Although Morgan and Acevedo came up with “America's Range” on the spot, it turned out that WSMR had previously been referred to as America's Range in the past. Which is why Morgan enthusiastically shared with the team that old is new again.
“I want you to know that I am proud to be here with you. Team WSMR, this range, and the people who make it up, along with the things we do here, are like nowhere else on the planet. And Sergeant Major and I are proud of you, and we are proud to be here serving with you. We are AMERICA'S RANGE - First to Test!” said Morgan as he concluded his presentation.
As WSMR seeks to emphasize teamwork and community involvement, today's town hall marks a significant step in fostering an inclusive and mission-driven environment.
Next Steps: Commander's Call
Additionally, the command team announced an upcoming “Commander's Call” set for Thursday, Aug. 28, at 3 p.m. at The Frontier Club in The Fallout Shelter. This informal gathering, which plays a crucial role in building camaraderie and facilitating open discussions among personnel, is an excellent opportunity for everyone to come together and share their thoughts. The event will lead into the Green Chile Festival, starting at 4 p.m., where families and coworkers are welcome to join the festivities.
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