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Video by Michael Novogradac

Command Sgt. Maj. Mario O. Terenas Gives a Shout-Out to the West Fort Hood, Texas-Based U.S. Army Operational Test Command to Help Celebrate 50 Years of Operational Testing

U.S. Army Operational Test Command

Sept. 16, 2019 | 0:43

Command Sgt. Maj. Mario O. Terenas of the U.S. Army Cadet Command (ROTC) at Fort Knox, Kentucky, gives a shout-out to the West Fort Hood, Texas-based U.S. Army Operational Test Command (OTC) for its birthday to help celebrate 50 Years of Operational Testing.

Terenas was OTC’s senior enlisted leader August 2017 through September 2018.

Operational testing began Oct. 1, 1969, and as the Army's only independent operational tester, OTC is celebrating "50 Years of Operational Testing."

The unit enlists the "Total Army" (Active, National Guard, and Reserve) when testing Army, joint, and multi-service warfighting systems in realistic operational environments, using typical Soldiers to determine whether the systems are effective, suitable, and survivable. OTC is required by public law to test major systems before they are fielded to its ultimate customer - the American Soldier.