Joint Modernization Command


The U.S. Army Joint Modernization Command, or JMC, is based at Fort Bliss, Texas. It conducts field experiments and training exercises with Army units preparing for imminent deployment to evaluate emerging technologies, tactics, and force structure in realistic live and simulated environments. The Joint Modernization Command is subordinate to the United States Army Futures and Concepts Command at Joint Base Langley–Eustis, Virginia; both JMC and FCC report to the United States Army Transformation and Training Command, based in Austin, Texas.
Joint Modernization Command plans, coordinates, and executes field experiments to test new strategies and technologies. According to the Army Modernization Strategy, JMC’s field experiments contribute evidence and feedback that inform decisions on concepts and technologies to support the development of multi-domain operational capabilities.

Purpose

The JMC exists in service of the following goals:
  • Execute realistic field experiments and assessments to gain Soldier and Leader feedback focused on Multi-Domain Operations Concepts, Capabilities, and Formations at echelon.
  • Execute exportable and scalable field experiments to assess MDO Concepts, Capabilities, and Formations for the 2028 MDO-Capable Force.
  • Execute Joint Warfighting Assessments resulting in a focused Initial Insights Report and Joint Exercise Report.
  • Provide field experimentation and assessment support to Army Cross Functional Teams and their 31 Signature Efforts in accordance with the Army Modernization Strategy.
  • Coordinate and manage MDO Concepts, Capabilities, and Formations in all Army Live Prototyping Assessment events.
  • Build Readiness for the units participating in assessments; JMC syncs the commander's training objectives with experiment/assessment requirements.

Leadership

JMC's commanding general was previously Brig. Gen. Zachary Miller, who took command in 2023, succeeding then Col. Tobin A. Magsig. Miller assumed command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Atlantic Division. After Miller handed off leadership to current Commanding General Daniel Hibner.

History

The Future Force Integration Directorate was established on 15 June 2006 at Fort Bliss, Texas. It was created by direction of the Chief of Staff of the United States Army and assigned to the U.S. Army Capabilities Integration Center, within the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command. The directorate supported the testing and assessment of equipment and concepts developed under the Army’s Future Combat Systems program.
FFID was given oversight of the Army Evaluation Task Force, which was activated on 16 December 2006 as the 5th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division. The task force was used to test new systems and operational approaches before wider adoption. Brigadier General James L. Terry became FFID’s first director in April 2007.
In August 2007, FFID’s responsibilities expanded to include coordination of Army modernization efforts related to planned brigade combat team upgrades.
After the Future Combat Systems program was terminated by the United States Secretary of Defense in April 2009, FFID assumed responsibility for managing evaluation activities associated with the Army’s subsequent brigade modernization programs.

2010s

In 2010, the Army Vice Chief of Staff directed that FFID, along with Fort Bliss and White Sands Missile Range, become the Army's centerpiece for network integration. Since this would require a full BCT to assess the network, the Chief of Staff of [the United States Army|Chief of Staff of the Army] directed the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st [Armored Division (United States)|2nd Brigade], 1st Armored Division, to assume the AETF mission.
On Feb. 7, 2011, the Future Force Integration Directorate was re-designated as Brigade Modernization Command, by directive from the Chief of Staff of the Army, with a mission to conduct physical integration and evaluations of the network and capability packages to provide Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and Education, Personnel, Facilities, and Policy recommendations to the Army. BMC focused its efforts on integrating test and evaluation events to deliver the Mission Command Network 2020. It conducted two distinct events: first, the Network Integration Evaluation, being a structured event that tests Army Programs of Record; second, the Army Warfighting Assessment, which allowed the Army to assess interim solutions to enduring warfighting challenges by incorporating innovative concepts and capabilities into various formations, including Joint and Multinational forces, in addition to accelerating the rate of Army innovation, AWA's enhanced training, Joint/Multinational interoperability, and future force development.
The Network Integration Evaluation was a series of semi-annual evaluations designed to establish a Network Baseline and then rapidly build and mature the Army's tactical Network. NIE's provided a means to evaluate relevant capabilities in parallel and make incremental improvements based upon a disciplined and professional feedback cycle. The effort was designed to facilitate rapid evaluation of commercial and government network solutions to establish a Network Baseline and then rapidly build from it. The Network Integration Exercise 18 at Fort Bliss, Texas, was the final Network Integration Evaluation.
Army Warfighting Assessments were held to assess the capabilities of the Army to meet Army Warfighting Challenges in a relevant operating environment.
Effective February 7th, 2017, the Brigade Modernization Command was renamed the U.S. Army Joint Modernization Command. At the same time, the Army Warfighting Assessment was renamed the Joint Warfighting Assessment.
JWA's are large training and evaluation exercises run by the United States Army to try out new ideas before they are adopted more broadly. During these exercises, soldiers and units use proposed equipment, organizational structures, and operational approaches in realistic scenarios. Feedback from participants helps the Army decide what works, what needs adjustment, and what should not move forward.

Joint Warfighting Assessments

Joint Warfighting Assessments are the Army's live multi-echelon joint and multinational capstone exercises aligned with either the Europe or Pacific Area of Operations, informed by the existing Operation Plan, and set in a 2028 operational environment to demonstrate and assess Multi-Domain Operations' concepts, capabilities, and formations.
JWA's aim to:
  • Improve force readiness
  • Obtain soldier/leader observations and feedback on modernization solutions
  • Integrate and assess MDO Concepts, Capabilities, and Formations at Echelon
  • Integrate and assess Joint and Multinational Interoperability
The first Joint Warfighting Assessment, known as JWA 18, was held in Europe in the spring of 2018.
Joint Warfighting Assessment 19 rotated to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. in 2019, to assess the Army's Multi-Domain Task Force.
The robotic complex breach concept was demonstrated with "fight tonight" units during a combined arms breach at JWA 18 and JWA 19. Smoke, breaching assets, and suppression capabilities were all remotely operated while successfully breaching an obstacle.
Joint Warfighting Assessment 20 rotates back to Europe in 2020. JWA 20 will exercise and assess Multi-Domain Operations, force packages, and capabilities.