Organization

• The Operational Evaluation Command, the Army’s independent operational tester, tests and assesses Army, Joint, and Multi-service war-fighting systems in a realistic operational environment using typical Soldiers to determine whether the systems are effective, suitable, and survivable.  OEC remains true to its ultimate customer—the American Soldier.
• OEC is the Army’s only independent operational tester; it is required by public law to test major systems before they are fielded to the American Soldier.
•  OEC lives the Expeditionary Army ethos—readily deployable test teams support the Army’s rapid acquisition initiatives and are prepared to deploy on very short notice to any location to gather information on Army systems.  OEC’s objective is to conduct operational tests where the Soldiers and equipment are.
• Since 2003 OEC has deployed ATEC Forward Operational Assessment (FOA) teams in Iraq and Afghanistan to gather information in support of our deployed formations.

Located with OEC Headquarters Command and staff at Fort Hood, Texas, are four directorates.  Four forward directorates are located at Fort Huachuca, Fort Sill, Fort Bliss, and Fort Bragg.  A Test and Evaluation Coordination Office (TECO) supports the Army Maneuver Support Center (MANSCEN) at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and an Infantry Support Cell supports the Infantry School and Center at Fort Benning, Georgia.

OEC becomes involved in the Army’s acquisition process following the developmental tests that ensure the product technically performs as the Army expected it to do.  That product is then transitioned to OEC professionals to test in the hands of the intended user—the American Soldier.

OEC uses highly sophisticated and state-of-the-art technology.  Rugged instrumentation collects test data that will document performance levels and operational suitability.  Modeling and simulation products work independently or within a distributed simulation environment to create a realistic operational environment.  Real-time casualty assessment adds realism to tests and assists in collecting data to assess weapon capabilities and limitations.