Photos by Tim Toms, Fort Huachuca Visual InformationThe director of the Defense Information Systems Agency, U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Ronnie Hawkins, Jr. (right), passes the flag, or colors of the Joint Interoperability Test Command, to U.S. Army Col. Douglas Orsi, as Orsi assumes command of JITC on Tuesday in the JITC building.
With the words, “I assume command,†the Fort Huachuca-headquartered, Joint Interoperability Test Command greeted its new commander, here on Tuesday.
Assuming command is U.S. Army Col. Douglas Orsi, who is the 10th JITC commander. JITC, founded in 1989, has the mission to professionally test, operationally evaluate and certify information technology capabilities for joint interoperability, enabling information dominance and increasing warfighter effectiveness for the nation.
Presiding over the ceremony was the director of the Defense Information Systems Agency, U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Ronnie Hawkins, Jr., who underscored the important role that JITC must assume as the Department of Defense embraces cyberspace.
“Cyberspace has now become that next final frontier; the organization that is going to make sure we bring together all of our capabilities, and we’re able to operate in a cogent fashion — it’s JITC,†said Hawkins.
The Joint Interoperability Test Command’s new commander, U.S. Army Col. Douglas Orsi, addresses the audience during his assumption of command ceremony, here on Tuesday.
The diverse audience of more than 100 represented JITC as an organization, whose workforce is comprised of military service members, government employees and contractors. Also in attendance for the ceremony was the mayor of Sierra Vista, Rick Mueller, representatives from several organizations within the DoD, members of industry and two of Orsi’s college Reserve Officer Training Corps instructors.
“It’s important for us to ensure we have the right toolset here, the right leadership here and the right capabilities here — and he is here,†said Hawkins.
Orsi recently completed his studies with a master’s in Strategic Studies at the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pa. Before his studies, he had several positions within the Army Signal community. His most recent assignment was the commander of the 302nd Signal Battalion at Fort Detrick, Md.
Orsi thanked those attended and said the reputation, professionalism and excellence of the JITC workforce precedes them throughout the DoD.
“I will look forward to us [JITC] maintaining the highest levels of support and expertise which will enable the Joint Interoperability Test Command to rise to every challenge and position us at the leading edge of test, evaluation and interoperability in support of the warfighter and the Department of Defense,†said Orsi.
The outgoing acting commander of JITC is George “Stu†Brock, who previously held the post of acting commander. Brock will return to his position of deputy commander of JITC. During the ceremony, Brock thanked the JITC workforce and attested to their exemplary support of the warfighter and JITC’s mission.
“I asked you [the JITC workforce] to keep doing what you do, be humble, take pride in what you accomplish as a team, always remember that the warfighter is our ultimate customer, and you’ve done just that,†said Brock.
The Joint chiefs of staff and the Defense Information Systems Agency has designated JITC as the only DoD organization with the mandate and authority to validate that DoD IT and nation security systems meet interoperability and net-readiness requirements for joint military operations.
JITC has locations in Arizona and Maryland.
