The U.S. Army relies heavily on research and insights from major universities as it continues to pursue advances in electronic technologies. Now, it is hoping that a senior member of its Army Futures Command (AFC) can assist with the modernization of the $200-million George H.W. Bush Combat Development Complex (BCDC) at Texas A&M University on the 2000-acre RELLIS campus in Bryan, TX. Colonel Rosendo “Ross” Guieb is moving from the AFC to become the first executive director of the BCDC. He retired from the Army after serving 29 years and most recently had served as executive officer to General John M. Murray, the first commanding general of the AFC.
Col. Guieb (see the figure) served two tours of duty in Iraq and one in Afghanistan in addition to a brigade command at Fort Hood, TX and multiple deployments in Honduras and Panama. He also worked at the Pentagon, where he was executive officer to then-under-secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy, now secretary of the Army. At the BCDC, Guieb will report to Dr. M. Katherine Banks, the vice-chancellor of engineering and national laboratories for the Texas A&M University system.
The BCDC is being developed in support of the Army’s desire for a faster procurement process, hoping to take advantage of technology advances at the rates enjoyed by the commercial and private sectors. The BCDC will include the largest enclosed-tube test facility in the U.S. for hypersonic and laser technologies and expansive laboratories and outdoor test grounds for evaluating experimental ground and air vehicles. Army soldiers from Fort Hood and the Corps of Cadets from Texas A&M will assist in the testing.
“Who better to lead this critical national defense initiative," asked John Sharp, chancellor of the Texas A&M System. “Ross understands the challenges of modernization inside and out. He will be instrumental as we assist the Army with next-generation battlefield readiness.” Dr. Banks added, “Ross will be integral to our program and will keep serving our country in this new role. His experience will help ensure that the strategic partnership between AFC and the Texas A&M System remains perfectly aligned.”