ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — The U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) hosted a moving change of responsibility ceremony on June 27, 2025, at the Myer Auditorium, marking the farewell of Chief Warrant Officer 5 Linc W. McCoy and the welcome of his successor, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Kevin I. Banks.
The event celebrated McCoy’s formal retirement after an impressive 30 years of dedicated service in the U.S. Army. Having assumed the role of Command Chief Warrant Officer for CECOM on April 30, 2021, McCoy served as the principal warrant officer advisor to the command and played a crucial role in supporting the CECOM mission. His leadership contributed significantly to the delivery of command, control, computers, communications, cyber, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C5ISR) capabilities essential for full-spectrum combat operations.
During the ceremony, the ceremonial saber was formally passed from McCoy to Maj. Gen. James D. Turinetti IV, the commanding general of CECOM and senior commander of Aberdeen Proving Ground. This act symbolized the transition of leadership and trust, as Turinetti then passed the saber to Banks, acknowledging his commitment to the organization’s future.
In his remarks, Maj. Gen. Turinetti welcomed Banks and his wife, Shawn, who traveled from Tampa Bay to the Chesapeake Bay to take on this new role. With over 29 years of service, Banks most recently held the position of chief technology advisor to the J6 Director at U.S. Central Command. His experience in leading digital transformation and innovation initiatives, particularly in Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2), positions him well for the challenges ahead.
Banks emphasized the Army’s future trajectory, stating, “As we move into the Army of 2030, we’ll get to a point where we are leading the world in cyber and technology, enabling us to engage with dominance.” His remarks highlighted the importance of the Army Transformation Initiative in fostering technological advancement.
McCoy’s distinguished career was recognized with numerous accolades, including the Legion of Merit, the Department of the Army Certificate of Retirement, and letters of commendation from former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. He also received a Maryland Governor’s Citation and a Certificate of Recognition from Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, along with a Soldier for Life pin.
Highlighting McCoy’s exemplary service, Turinetti noted his experience as a presidential response officer for the White House Communications Agency and as a senior technical advisor to former Secretary of Defense Gen. Jim Mattis. Turinetti expressed gratitude for McCoy’s wealth of knowledge, which has significantly benefited CECOM and its personnel over the years.
Reflecting on his journey, McCoy conveyed heartfelt thanks for his service, stating, “Thank you, Army, for turning a Brooklyn-born kid with Guyanese-Trinidadian roots into a global citizen.” His journey took him from international assignments in South Korea and Germany to domestic postings in Texas and Arizona, culminating in his service at Aberdeen Proving Ground.
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