Commander begins Natick tour

As the new Deputy for Acquisition and Readiness (DAR) of the Research, Development and Acquisition (RDA) Enterprise, I am in charge of an organizational element that was created in order to improve the lives of our Soldiers, whether by increasing their safety, survivability, lethality or quality of life.

Col. (P) James L. Kennon

The enterprise is designed to provide total life-cycle management for the research, development, acquisition, testing, systems integration, product improvement, fielding, and sustainment and readiness of soldier and chemical/biological protective materiel. It leverages its core and intellectual capabilities by providing products and services to vital national programs and by partnering with other government, academic and private organizations.

I’m learning that I have total life cycle responsibility, from cradle to grave, for items that are worn, carried, consumed by or support the warfighter. This includes parachutes, combat rations, shelters, smoke and obscurants, NBC defense systems and warrior systems. As the DAR, I am responsible for the science and technology, product development and the sustainment of all these products.

I am also the installation commander at Natick. With regard to the installation, it has been vital to improving Soldiers’ lives for almost 50 years. Because I am first and foremost a Soldier, I feel at home working at and commanding a place that is dedicated to ensuring our Soldiers have the best food, clothing and equipment to perform their mission anywhere in the world.

Prior to coming to Natick, I heard about the exceptional work force. I know this work force is committed to advancing science and technology in order to defend the greatest nation on the face of the earth. As we head toward the transformation of the Army, such advances will be key.

I am sure that many of you, both within and outside the organization, are wondering about my leadership style. As you can see from my biography, I have held a wide variety of positions and assignments, the latest being the Chief of Staff for the U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command in Fort Lee, Va., but the bottom line up front is for 32 years I have been a Soldier.

There is much to learn! I’m interested in gaining all the knowledge I need in order to perform my new duties. I ask that you keep me informed. Trust me, I will give you the flexibility you need to do your job. I’m your advocate and ask that you also become an advocate for the RDA Enterprise.

Because of my previous assignments, there are some areas that I am more familiar with than others. Don’t think I am ignoring your area if I don’t dwell on it.

I am truly looking forward to my time here. It’s exciting to be at a place where one of the mottos is: “Doing something for the Soldier every day.” With confidence in this work force and this mission, I am sure that we will be able to continue to provide superb support to our nation’s most valuable asset: the Soldier.

Col. (P) James Lewis Kennon was born in Kinston, N.C., on May 11, 1950. He entered the Army in August 1969 from the Bronx, N.Y. He completed eight years of service as a noncommissioned officer and chief warrant officer and was commissioned a second lieutenant through the Fort Benning Officer Candidate School in February 1978. He holds a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science from Chaminade University at Honolulu, a master of science degree in management from Central Michigan University, and a master of science degree in national resource management from the National Defense University. His military education includes completion of the basic and advanced courses at the Quartermaster School, the Combined Arms and Services Staff School, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Kennon has served in command and various staff positions in Vietnam, Japan, Hawaii, Korea, Fort Bragg, Fort Hood, PERSCOM, and the Pentagon, including service with the 1st Calvary Division, 25th Infantry Division, 82nd Airborne Division, 101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division, 19th Theater Army Area Command, and 1st Corps Support Command. His last command assignment was as commander, 45th Corps Support Group, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. His most recent assignment was as the chief of staff, U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command and Fort Lee, Va. His awards include the Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Expedition Medal, Master Parachutist Badge and British Parachutist Badge.