AUSTIN, Texas—An Army infantry officer with a career in traditional combat units is translating his battlefield experience into a new mission: leading software development teams.
By his own admission, Lt. Col. Kenton Satterwhite was not a software expert, making his decision to be a part of the Army’s push toward technological innovation a calculated risk.
The Army Software Factory (ASWF), a direct reporting unit to the U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command, is tasked with developing software to give units a tactical advantage.
Satterwhite’s lack of technical background is considered an asset. He leads six software teams, acting as a translator between developers senior Army leaders.
“I speak Army, that is my value to the teams,” Satterwhite said. “I understand how the Army works, and who they should be talking to, I guide them and their projects in the right direction.”
Satterwhite oversees a digital tool for reporting combat power and supplies. The tool replaces a cumbersome process that involves radio calls, spreadsheets, and hours of labor. It provides commanders with a real-time picture of their unit’s readiness, including supplies like ammunition, water, and equipment. The tool is now being used across several Army divisions.
“To see this become a tool that is good enough that they’re willing to use it, and it’s not a burden for them to take that on is satisfying,” Satterwhite said.
ASWF’s collaborative culture differed from the hierarchical structure he was used to, noting that the environment encourages team members to challenge directives, provided they have the data to support a different approach. Satterwhite learned that when his team members present an idea, they have already done the necessary research to back up their assessments.
Satterwhite is scheduled to depart the ASWF this summer to assume command of the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas. He feels the experience has given him a critical skillset for modern command, as the job requires a blend of engineering and operational thinking.
Satterwhite advises other leaders to gain a better understanding of software’s role in military operations.
Software is now integral to everything the military does, the Army needs leaders with deeper comprehension to build a truly data-driven force.
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