ADELPHI, Md. — After more than four decades of service to the U.S. Army, Dr. Patrick J. Baker, director of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, or DEVCOM, Army Research Laboratory, retires Oct. 1, concluding an extraordinary career of contributions to operationalize science and advance capabilities for the warfighter.
His retirement ceremony was held Sept. 26 with an audience of colleagues, friends, family and senior leaders who reflected on the impact Baker had on the Army and the scientific community. Maj. Gen. Stephanie R. Ahern, director of Strategy, Plans, and Policy for the U.S. Army hosted the event in which Dr. Baker reaffirmed his oath to the U.S. Constitution to punctuate his nearly life-long commitment to the nation.
Ahern emphasized the lasting impact of Baker’s leadership during her speech. “Your ability to lead with wisdom and humility has inspired countless individuals and shaped the Army Research Laboratory into the premier institution it is today,” she said to him during the ceremony.
“You’ve had an absolutely critical impact on so many for so many years. Your wisdom, expertise and leadership will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come,” she added.
Baker began his Army career 41-years ago on July 26, 1984, as an intern at the Ballistic Research Laboratory, which later became part of ARL. During his retirement remarks, he reflected on the lessons he learned early in his career.
“My first team leader taught me simplicity, clear intent and the importance of mentorship,” Baker said. “BRL was pretty much the coolest job possible, even as a freshman. I could clearly tie what I was doing to defeating something, at the time a BMP or a future Soviet tank. You’re at the nexus of research and warfighting.”
Baker’s early work focused on ballistic research, and he led technical programs on lethality and protection as team leader, branch chief, division chief and directorate director. His leadership during Operation Iraqi Freedom was particularly impactful. Under his guidance, ARL researchers developed expedient armor for increased protection for up-armored combat vehicles.
Ahern read a message from a long-time colleague who said, “Under his leadership, ARL researchers used its high-performance computing and range experimentation capabilities to model, design, test, evaluate and field these art solutions faster than industry could. Dr. Baker is directly responsible for saving countless lives and preventing injuries.”
Having been selected in the Senior Executive Service in May 2012, Baker served in leadership positions for much of his career. However, he always maintained a deep connection to the science that drives ARL’s mission.
His tenure as director saw ARL achieve significant milestones in areas such as high-performance computing, materials science and autonomous systems. His vision ensured that ARL’s research aligned with Army priorities and addressed the evolving needs of the warfighter.
Baker thanked the Army Research Office for his graduate school education, where he says he learned that “You have to prove you can do something hard that you don’t want to do.”
He also credited his family for their support throughout his career. “… no doubt, the best thing that happened in graduate school was meeting my wife and getting married,” he said.
After grad school, Dr. Baker eventually worked his way back to the lab. “Dr. Baker’s career is truly unique,” Ahern said. “For those not affiliated with the Army Research Laboratory or the Army, it’s important to reinforce that this kind of progression—from intern to director—is simply not normal. His wisdom, deep expertise and experience have left an indelible mark on the Army and the scientific community.”
Reflecting on his career, Baker likened it to a web of interconnected experiences. “It’s been wild and rewarding to see teams of teams making a difference with big problems—advancing science, bringing teammates along, defining what to do, maturing technology, and – no kidding - enabling missions and saving lives in combat. Thank you all for what you have done,” he said.
As he bid farewell to ARL, Baker left the audience with a powerful message about the importance of teamwork and transformation.
“Our nation depends on continuous Army transformation,” he said. “Everything and everyone is connected, and everything is changing. I ask you to choose to be a good Army teammate, to help others excel, uphold Army values, and defend the Constitution. Army Strong – change the future.”
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DEVCOM ARL is the Army’s only foundational research lab serving as the nexus between academia, industry, defense and in-house expertise to Operationalize Science. ARL expertise drives cross-cutting advancements in science and technology to ensure the Army wins now and in the future. For information visit https://arl.devcom.army.mil/.
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