(From right to left) U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command Chief Warrant Officer 5 Kevin I. Banks discusses artificial intelligence training while CECOM Deputy to the Commanding General Mr. Nicholaus Saacks, CECOM Command Sgt. Maj. Jay A. High, and CECOM Commanding General Maj. Gen. James D. Turinetti IV look on during a CECOM town hall on Nov. 20, 2025.
VIEW ORIGINAL
ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — The U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command hosted a fireside chat for the last town hall of 2025, with updates from CECOM leadership and question-and-answer sessions. Topics included changes in military culture, modernization, furlough challenges, acquisition reform structure, and a look ahead to the holiday season.
The town hall host was CECOM Commanding General Maj. Gen. James D. Turinetti IV. He discussed visiting sections of CECOM Headquarters after the recent furlough and said he was impressed by the civilian workforce’s determination and strength. He challenged the CECOM workforce to identify which work is mission-critical and to prepare for the possibility of another furlough at the end of January.
Turinetti highlighted the varied impact of the furlough on different sections. Some teams, like those at CECOM Tobyhanna Army Depot, experienced minimal disruption, while others faced challenges. He asked everyone to treat each other with a bit of grace.
“It’s a trying time, it’s different for everyone,” he said.
Changes in the military
Turinetti spoke about attending the Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s speech to generals and admirals in Quantico, Virgina, on Sept. 30, 2025.
“The main takeaway, and why I think they wanted all of us to be there in person, is the ‘peace through strength’ message and the culture change of a warfighting military,” Turinetti said.
The video of Hegseth’s speech is available on NIPR at: https://www.war.gov/multimedia/videos/videoid/984046/.
The 11 memoranda are available on NIPR at: https://media.defense.gov/2025/Sep/30/2003812317/-1/-1/1/SECRETARY-OF-WAR-ANNOUNCED-MEMORANDUMS.PDF
Turinetti said the Army is going through tremendous changes. For example, the U.S. Army Forces Command and the Army Futures Command integrated into the Transformation and Training Command. In fiscal year 2026, Army North and Army South will merge into the Western Hemisphere Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
On Nov. 18, it was announced that Lt. Gen. Christopher Mohan was selected to lead the U.S. Army Materiel Command. He previously served as deputy commanding general and chief of staff at AMC.
CECOM updates
Turinetti highlighted efforts to automate the CECOM Software Engineering Command’s helpdesk by using artificial intelligence and ServiceNow. This cloud-based platform helps organizations optimize and modernize their workflows.
He encouraged the CECOM workforce to continue learning how to incorporate AI into their day-to-day jobs and to take advantage of training opportunities.
“Businesses of the future, every single one of them, are going to figure out how to use AI or they are going to fall by the wayside,” he said.
During a question-and-answer session, an attendee asked how CECOM plans to maintain communication with its employees in the event of another furlough. Turinetti said all supervisors are required to have their employees’ personal contact information and will contact employees during a furlough period.
“Make sure your supervisor has your information,” he said.
Command Sgt. Maj. Jay A. High challenged the CECOM workforce to think about the warfighter and to strive to provide the best processes and data, to make informed decisions that improve survivability and lethality.
High said he is excited about right-to-repair provisions, which allow military personnel to maintain and fix their own equipment without over-reliance on defense contractors.
“It is truly, truly all about the warfighter,” High said. “If it doesn’t do anything to help warfighting, lethality, survivability, why are we doing it? I am grateful that this team is focused on providing the best for the warfighter.”
High said recently, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll announced a suicide prevention plan called “Just Pick Up,” which directs every officer or NCO to check on their teammates during the holidays. High praised the civilian workforce for staying in touch during the furlough and uplifting each other during uncertainty.
“I challenge you to take some time, share your joys with one another, share your stories, but more importantly, be that person who picks up the phone when somebody calls you,” he said.
Acquisition reform structure
Mr. Nicholaus Saacks, CECOM deputy to the commanding general, said the CECOM workforce is impressive for their ability to embrace change during this time of transformation.
Saacks discussed the Department of the Army transforming its acquisition system by consolidating 12 Program Executive Offices into six new Portfolio Acquisition Executives.
“What the Army is aiming to do here is they are going to empower that PAE to be able to make trades across his or her portfolio, in order to get capability out faster and identify and accept risk,” he said.
Saacks noted CECOM will play a crucial role in the new acquisition structure and will be the lead sustainment element for PAE Command and Control and Counter C2 to be headquartered at APG.
“I think the CECOM community is really set up to help the PAEs get capability out there quicker,” he said.
Performance appraisals, leave policies
Saacks said the performance appraisal schedule was adjusted due to the furlough, with new deadlines set for employee assessments and contribution plans. Employees were reminded to schedule their use-or-lose leave and discuss any mission-related leave denials with their supervisors.
G8 recognized
Saacks commended the G8 team for their efforts in the year-end closeout and processing payroll during the furlough. Their work ensured that employees received their missed paychecks promptly, he said.
AI training
CECOM Chief Warrant Officer 5 Kevin I. Banks discussed the AI training curriculum he developed for the CECOM workforce during the furlough. The training, available on https://www.coursera.org, starts from beginner and progresses to intermediate. To learn more about AI, CECOM workforce can also participate in Tech Talk Tuesday hosted by the G8 on Microsoft Teams.
Turinetti closed the meeting by saying, “incorporating AI will make the workforce stronger, faster, and more efficient.” Using AI will turn the CECOM SEC helpdesk into the “bionic team.”
“How we use it and how it is integrated in our day-to-day lives... I think it is going to become even more important over this next year," he said.
Turinetti concluded by wishing the CECOM workforce happy holidays.
“Take time to give thanks and remember what these holidays are all about,” he said.
To view the town hall, visit:
Social Sharing