History of the Army Digitization Office

摘要

This paper outlines the formation of the Army Digitization Office (ADO), its major accomplishments, and the evolution of its activities and mission. It provides insights into actions required to fundamentally change how systems are developed and fielded and the importance of having an office dedicated to that goal. In 1993, the Army set out on a path to digitize its forces. To accomplish this by 2000, the Chief of Staff of the Army realized the Army could not follow the standard processes to develop and acquire equipment. Innovative initiatives were needed. In 1993, the Special Task Force on Digitization said that a central ADO was needed to coordinate the ongoing and planned digitization activities. The ADO was formed in 1994, reporting to both the Vice Chief of Staff and the Army Acquisition Executive. Its sole focus was digitization, with a charter to cut across all Army activities involved in acquiring and fielding digital equipment. As the digitization effort matured, so has the mission of the ADO. It now reports to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations, but maintains a close relationship with the acquisition community.