ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

Army Futures Command bid farewell Dec. 3 to Gen. Mike Murray and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Crosby, who served for more than three years as the first command team for the Army’s newest four-star command.  

During the relinquishment of command ceremony in Austin, Texas, Murray was honored as he prepares to retire after more than 40 years of Army service, while Crosby handed responsibility as senior enlisted leader for Futures Command to Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Hester.   

Project Convergence 21 kicked off Oct. 12 as senior leaders outlined the importance of this “campaign of learning” to the Army’s efforts to shape the force for the future.

“It informs how the Army’s going to fight in the future and how we organize for the future, and it also informs our [science and technology] investments going forward,” said Lt. Gen. James Richardson, deputy commanding general of Army Futures Command.

Army Futures Command marks its third anniversary this month, but the work is just starting for the command’s 26,000 soldiers and civilians, tasked with enabling a massive transformation.

“This organization remains focused on preparing the next generation—and the generation after that—of soldiers and ensuring they have the same benefits my generation has had in terms of doctrine, in terms of concepts, in terms of materiel solutions, to keep ahead of our potential adversaries,” said Gen. Mike Murray, commander of Futures Command. 

Commanders on the future battlefield will find themselves racing against adversaries that are faster and more capable than ever before, a senior Army leader said.

“The ability to sense first, to understand first, to decide first, which gives you the ability to act faster than a future opponent, is going to be a significant advantage for any commander on the future battlefield,” said Gen. Mike Murray, commander of Army Futures Command.

The Army is teaming up with the other services as it gears up for Project Convergence 21, the next big event in its ongoing effort to test new and developing technologies. 

Led by Army Futures Command and announced in 2020, Project Convergence is a series of demonstrations and experiments that Gen. Mike Murray, commander of Futures Command, has called the Army’s “campaign of learning.” 

The first event took place last fall at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.

As the Army undertakes its most extensive transformation effort in decades, the service’s goal is not to get into a fight, the commander of Army Futures Command said.

“Overmatch is about fighting and winning, but overmatch is also about the ability to deter,” said Gen. Mike Murray.

The second day of Global Force Next, the Association of the U.S. Army’s three-day virtual conference, features a keynote address by Gen. Mike Murray, commanding general of Army Futures Command. 

This year’s theme is “The U.S. Army: Protecting Tomorrow Through Persistent Modernization.” Presentations throughout the event will focus on the Army’s transformation and modernization efforts and include updates from Army Futures Command’s eight cross-functional teams. 

As the Army continues to refine its Multi-Domain Operations concept, the service is seeking to start a conversation about what the future may look like—and what kind of world soldiers will find themselves operating in.

From a world where the U.S. and China compete for global primacy to a future of persistent instability and conflict, the Army must think “rigorously and creatively” about the future, Gen. Mike Murray, commanding general of Army Futures Command, writes in the foreword of a pamphlet produced by the command.

While recognizing that presidential elections can often mean many changes, Army Futures Command's commander said he expects most of the Army’s priorities are likely to stay the same.

“I remain committed, as long as the Army will have me, to maintain that momentum regardless of the upcoming changes with the new administration,” said Gen. Mike Murray, speaking at a Jan. 25 webinar hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “Our modernization priorities have remained consistent, and they will remain consistent.”