Joint Modernization Command

The U.S. Army Joint Modernization Command, or JMC,^[3] (formerly known as U.S. Army Brigade Modernization Command, or BMC) is located at Fort Bliss, Texas. It conducts field experiments and training exercises with Army units preparing for imminent deployment ("Fight Tonight" units), and evaluate emerging technologies, tactics, and force structures in realistic live and simulated environments. The Joint Modernization Command is subordinate to the United States Army Futures and Concepts Command (FCC) at Joint Base Langley–Eustis, Virginia. Both JMC and FCC report to the United States Army Transformation and Training Command (T2COM), based in Austin, Texas.^[4]

The JMC plans, coordinates, and executes tests 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 supporting the development of multi-domain operational capabilities.^[5]

The Joint Modernization Command exists in service of the following goals:^[6]

• Execute real-world field experiments and assessments to gain soldier and leader feedback focused on Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) 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.^[7]
• 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 in accordance with the Army Modernization Strategy.^[8]
• 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.

The Joint Modernization Command's commanding general was previously Brig. Gen. Zachary Miller, who took command in 2023,^[9] succeeding then Col. Tobin A. Magsig. Miller assumed command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Atlantic Division after handing off leadership to current Commanding General Daniel Hibner.^[9]

The Future Force Integration Directorate was established on June 15, 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.^[10]

The Future Force Integration Directorate was given oversight of the Army Evaluation Task Force, which was activated on December 16, 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 the first director in April 2007.^[10]

In August 2007, the Directorate’s responsibilities expanded to include coordination of Army modernization efforts related to planned brigade combat team upgrades.^[10]

After the Future Combat Systems program was terminated by the United States Secretary of Defense in April 2009, the FFID assumed responsibility for managing evaluation activities associated with the Army’s subsequent brigade modernization programs.^[10]

In 2010, the Army Vice Chief of Staff directed that the 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 Army directed the 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, to assume the AETF mission.^[10]

On Feb. 7, 2011, the FFID was re-designated as the Brigade Modernization Command (BMC),^[11] 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 (NIE), being a structured event that tests Army Programs of Record; second, the Army Warfighting Assessment (AWA), which allowed the Army to assess interim solutions to enduring combat and military logistics 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.^[10]

The Network Integration Evaluation (NIE) 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 NIE 18 at Fort Bliss, Texas, was the final Network Integration Evaluation.^[10]

Army Warfighting Assessments were held to assess the capabilities of the Army to meet Army Warfighting Challenges in a relevant operating environment.^[10]

Effective February 7, 2017, the Brigade Modernization Command was renamed the U.S. Army Joint Modernization Command.^[12] At the same time, the Army Warfighting Assessment was renamed the Joint Warfighting Assessment.

Joint Warfighting Assessments (JWAs) are large training and testing exercises run by the United States Army. They are used to plan, conceptualize, and exercise new doctrines in the United States Army prior to widespread usage. During these exercises, soldiers and units try out new equipment, unit structures, and ways of operating in realistic training situations. The Army uses feedback from the participants to decide which ideas work well, which need changes, and which should not be adopted.^[12]

Joint Warfighting Assessments (JWAs) are the Army's live multi-level joint and multinational exercises aligned with either the Europe or Pacific Area of Operations. These assessments are created based on a current Operation Plan, and set in a 2028 operational environment to demonstrate and assess Multi-Domain Operations' (MDO) concepts, capabilities, and formations.^[10]

Joint Warfighting Assessments aim to:

• Improve force readiness
• Obtain observations from soldiers and their leaders
• Solicit feedback on modernization solutions
• Integrate and assess MDO Concepts, Capabilities, and Formations at Echelon (CJTF-BCT)
• Integrate and assess compatibility between United States military branches and its partner nations

The first Joint Warfighting Assessment, known as JWA 18, was held in Europe in the spring of 2018.^[13][14]

JWA 19 rotated to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. in 2019,^[15] to assess the Army's Multi-Domain Task Force.^[16][17]

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.^[18][19]

JWA 20 rotated back to Europe in 2020. JWA 20 exercised and assessed multi-domain operations, force packages, and capabilities.^[20]

• Futures and Concepts Center webpage
• Army Futures Command webpage