FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. -- With the words, "I assume command," the Fort Huachuca-headquartered, Joint Interoperability Test Command greeted its new commander, here on Tuesday.
Assuming command is U.S. Army Col Douglas J. Orsi, who is the tenth commander of JITC. JITC, founded in 1989 has the mission to professionally test, operationally evaluate and certify information technology capabilities for joint interoperability, enabling information dominance and increasing warfighter effectiveness for the nation.
Presiding over the ceremony was the Director of the Defense Information Systems Agency, U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Ronnie D. Hawkins, Jr., who underscored the important role that JITC must assume as the Department of Defense embraces cyberspace.
"Cyberspace has now become that next final frontier," said Hawkins, "the organization that is going to make sure we bring together all of our capabilities and we're able to operate in a cogent fashion, it's JITC," said Hawkins.
The diverse audience of over 100 represented JITC as an organization, whose workforce is comprised of military Service members, government employees and contractors. Also in attendance for the ceremony was the Mayor of the nearby community, Sierra Vista, Rick Mueller, representatives from several organizations within the DoD, members of industry and two of Orsi's college Reserve Officer Training Corps instructors.
"It's important for us to ensure we have the right toolset here, the right leadership here and the right capabilities here," said Hawkins, "and he is here."
Orsi recently completed his studies with a Masters in Strategic Studies at the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pa. Before his studies, he had several positions within the Army Signal community. His most recent assignment was the Commander of the 302nd Signal Battalion at Fort Detrick, Md.
Orsi thanked those attended and said the reputation, professionalism and excellence of the JITC workforce precedes them throughout the DoD.
"I will look forward to us [JITC] maintaining the highest levels of support and expertise which will enable the Joint Interoperability Test Command to rise to every challenge and position us at the leading edge of test, evaluation and interoperability in support of the warfighter and the Department of Defense," said Orsi.
The outgoing acting Commander of JITC is George "Stu" Brock, who held the post of acting commander previously. Brock will return to his position of Deputy Commander of JITC. During the ceremony, Brock thanked the JITC workforce and attested to their exemplary support of the warfighter and JITC's mission.
"I asked you [JITC workforce] to keep doing what you do, be humble, take pride in what you accomplish as a team and always remember that the warfighter is our ultimate customer and you've done just that," said Brock.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Defense Information Systems Agency has designated JITC as the only DoD organization with the mandate and authority to validate that DoD IT and Nation Security Systems meet interoperability and net-readiness requirements for joint military operations. JITC has locations in Arizona and Maryland.
Social Sharing