The Army has selected Lt. Gen. John M. Murray to head the Army Futures Command, a four-star position leading a critical capabilities modernization effort that will be headquartered in a University of Texas building in Austin.

Murray’s nomination was received July 16 by the Senate Armed Services Committee, which has not yet scheduled a confirmation hearing.

An infantry officer commissioned in 1982, Murray is an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran who is currently serving as the deputy chief of staff for programs, G-8. He is a native of Kenton, Ohio.

Testifying earlier this year before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Murray said modernization is critical. “The Army can no longer afford to choose between readiness and modernization,” he said. “We can no longer afford to choose between incremental upgrades to equipment and developing new capabilities. We have definitely reached the point where we have got to do both.”

A combination of problems has deferred and halted progress on improving capabilities while potential adversaries have made gains, he said. Catching up will require a multiyear effort, he said.

“The American people expect their Army to win,” Murray said. “Meeting this expectation requires the Army regain and maintain overmatch against any peer threat.”