Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.--The Department of the Army has announced that Maj. Gen. Nickolas G. Justice, Program Executive Officer for the Command, Control and Communications-Tactical at Fort Monmouth, N.J., will become the next Commanding General of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command here.

Justice, who began his 38 year Army career as an enlisted Solider, will replace Maj. Gen. Paul S. Izzo, who is set to retire from the U.S. Army in March after 34 years of service. The change of command is set for Dec. 4 here.

As Program Executive Officer, Command, Control and Communications-Tactical, Justice leads an organization of more than 2,300 employees that fields an extensive range of battle command and communications capabilities with an annual budget exceeding $6 billion.

As the next commanding general of RDECOM, Justice will lead a worldwide organization of more than 17,000 scientists, engineers and other professionals who keep the Army on the cutting edge of technology through the operation of subordinate research and development centers and laboratories.

His joint service experience includes a two year assignment at the Sixth Allied Tactical Air Force as Chief, Project Management for Command and Control Systems. During this assignment, he participated in Operation Desert Storm, as part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, he served as Commander of the Information Management Task Force in Kuwait and Iraq.

Justice, a graduate of the United States Naval War College, has a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Maryland, a Master of Arts in Institutional Management from Pepperdine University and a Master of Arts degree in International Relations from Salve Regina College.

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation medal with an oak leaf cluster, the Army Achievement Medal, and the Army Staff Identification Badge. Justice was inducted into the 2009 Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, Ga.