ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md.—As the clouds of war gathered over the globe in Spring 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt made a pivotal address to Congress.
In his speech, Roosevelt underscored the urgent need for a transformation in the United States’ military capabilities, particularly emphasizing the necessity of ramping up aircraft production to an ambitious target of 50,000 planes annually.
While many interpreted this figure as hyperbolic, an inspirational call for innovation rather than a literal goal, it highlighted the extensive transformation needed across all aspects of American life.
Citizens required to ration materials, factories needed to switch to wartime production, and millions were called to join the workforce in an unprecedented mobilization of national resources.
Despite initial skepticism and the enormity of the task, by 1943, American factories produced over 85,000 warplanes in a single year, culminating in nearly 300,000 military aircraft being built throughout the war.
From small towns initiating scrap drives to major manufacturers—many without prior experience in military production—rolling out planes at an astonishing rate, the American response to the existential threat was nothing short of revolutionary.
Fast forward to today, the U.S. Army faces a similarly daunting challenge. The landscape of global threats has evolved dramatically, with rapid advancements in technology and warfare creating a complex scenario that demands reevaluation of legacy systems and traditional military thinking.
In response, the Army Transformation Initiative has emerged as a comprehensive strategy aimed at transforming the force into a more agile and lethal entity, effectively addressing current and future challenges.
In December 2024, the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) established the CECOM Transformation Directorate to spearhead these efforts.
This new command element has a dual focus: to identify transformative efforts within CECOM and to align its capabilities with the Army’s broader transformation strategy.
CECOM plays a crucial role, drawing upon the expertise of over 9,000 soldiers, civilians, and contractors worldwide, acting as the Army’s integrator for C5ISR (command, control, communications, computers, combat systems, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) and medical materiel.
Leading this initiative is Drew Rehkop, the director of the transformation team, who emphasizes the importance of defining the core problem as the Army seeks to modernize its operations.
“Under that problem statement, taking a holistic view of the command to identify how we will maximize capabilities that nest and fall in line with Army transformation timelines,” said Rehkop.
The transformation team, composed of four distinct Department of the Army Civilians, each brings unique expertise and experience to the table, fostering a diverse approach to critical military capabilities.
Reanna Labuda, a special projects officer with a background in acquisition support, plays a vital role in discovering existing capabilities within CECOM, identifying what they refer to as “unicorns”—specialized expertise that is unique to CECOM.
Labuda explains that each day presents new challenges and opportunities for discovery.
To streamline the identification process, the CECOM Transformation Operational Planning Team convenes representatives from various sectors within CECOM to discuss ongoing priorities, upcoming capabilities, and potential collaborative opportunities.
Through regular dialogue among subject matter experts, they can spotlight innovative ideas and initiatives that align with Army transformation priorities.
This significant undertaking is not merely administrative; it represents a major cultural shift within the Army as stated by the Secretary of the Army and Army Chief of Staff in their guidance on the transformation strategy.
The Army is set to undergo substantial changes, including restructuring formations and integrating emerging technologic advancements, all aimed at enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in warfare.
image source from：army
