What happens when you get three old experienced soldiers together to discuss something they’ve worked on for much of their careers? Well, the first thing that happens is that they “go secure” and start speaking in acronyms. More importantly, you get an enthusiastic conversation about transforming the Army to support soldiers now and well into the future. LTG Ross Coffman is in the virtual studio with hosts Lou Yuengert and Bob Bradford, and as the Deputy Commanding General of Futures Command, he’s got a front-row seat to some of the Army’s biggest innovation efforts across the force.
Industry and academia always want to know, ‘What is the Army working on? How can we help?’ and we have to get that communication out there so that we can clearly define what the Army is trying to accomplish so both academia and industry can help in the test community.
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Ross Coffman is a lieutenant general in the U.S. Army and the Deputy Commanding General of Army Futures Command. He joined the Army in 1989 as an Armor officer and has supported and led Army efforts in Bosnia, Germany, Haiti, Iraq and the United States. LTG Coffman most recently served as the Deputy Commanding General for Maneuver in the 1st Infantry Division with duty in Eastern Europe and the Director of the Next Generation Combat Vehicles Cross-Functional Team. His civilian education includes a bachelor’s degree from Centre College, an MBA from Embry Riddle University, and a Graduate Fellowship at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.
Louis Yuengert is the Professor of Defense Leadership and Enterprise Management in the Department of Command, Leadership, and Management at the U.S. Army War College. He is a former course director for the Defense Management core course and he teaches with the Carlisle Scholars Program, a special program.
Bob Bradford is the Associate Professor of Defense and Joint Processes and Henry Stimson Chair of Military Studies at the U.S. Army War College and is in his seventh year on the Carlisle faculty. Bob served 30 years as an officer in the U.S. Army, the last 20 as an operations research analyst supporting enterprise decisions.
The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense.
Photo Description: Army Futures Command held demonstrations of technology and equipment on May 16, 2019, at the Texas A&M University System’s RELLIS Campus in Bryan, Texas. Six weapons and defense industry vendors showcased seven autonomous combat vehicles in an effort for Army officials to decide which machines fit their needs best and what needs to be improved on.
Photo Credit: U.S. Army Photo by Mr. Luke J. Allen