Governor Baker, Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force Meet with U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Milley

November 10, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Kelsey Abbruzzese, MassDevelopment, 617-330-2086 & 617-448-9077
kabbruzzese@massdevelopment.com

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker, U.S. Representatives Niki Tsongas and Katherine Clark, and members of the Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force on Tuesday welcomed U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley to Massachusetts to discuss the Army’s presence in the Commonwealth and to highlight the state’s ongoing efforts to promote and support key initiatives at Natick Soldier Systems Center, including connections to the Commonwealth’s innovation economy and highly skilled workforce.

"The partnership between the U.S. Army and many of the best academic, industrial, business and technology firms in the Commonwealth provides a key foundation for success and economic growth," said Governor Charlie Baker. "I was pleased to join Representatives Tsongas and Clark in welcoming Gen. Milley and other distinguished guests to illustrate our work in support of the Army and Natick Soldier Systems Center’s important mission and impact here in Massachusetts."

Gen. Milley assumed duty as the 39th Chief of Staff for the U.S. Army on August 14. He most recently served as commander of the U.S. Army force at Fort Bragg, N.C., and has served in leadership positions in Iraq, Korea, Fort Ord in California, Fort Drum in New York, Fort Polk in Louisiana, Fort Campbell in Kentucky, and the Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. His deployments include operations in Egypt, Panama, Haiti, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Colombia. A native of Winchester, Milley has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Princeton University and master’s degrees from Columbia University and the U.S. Naval War College. He is also a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI National Security Studies Program.

"Massachusetts continues investing in and attracting some of the best minds and talent in the world, providing unmatched benefits to our Armed Forces. Combined with this highly skilled workforce, strong military tradition and top-tier educational institutions unique to this region, we are positioned to continue growing as a hub of innovation," said U.S. Rep. Tsongas. "I appreciate General Milley making the time to gain a better understanding of the remarkable work being done here in Massachusetts. These high-level visits are invaluable in highlighting the benefits that Massachusetts military installations bring to the Department of Defense. The cutting-edge research and development taking place here is helping to keep servicemembers safe and successful around the world."

"It is an honor to welcome Gen. Milley home to the Fifth District to discuss our ecosystem of innovation," said U.S. Rep. Clark. "Vital partnerships such as the one between Natick Labs and Tufts University continue to demonstrate the Commonwealth’s national leadership on making breakthroughs in research and development. We owe the talent at Natick Soldier Systems Center a debt of gratitude for the engineering, science, and technologies that keep our armed forces safe."

Natick Soldier Systems Center (NSSC) is a Department of Defense installation responsible for the technology, development, engineering, fielding, and sustenance of the food, clothing, shelter, airdrop systems, and soldier support items that protect and sustain America’s military forces.　 The Army has several research facilities under the Research Development and Engineering Command, each with differing focuses and objectives. In addition to the Natick Soldier RD&E Center (NSRDEC), NSSC brings together organizations spanning diverse disciplines and integrates efforts among all of the branches of the U.S. military.

The Base creates more than 1,600 direct and nearly 13,000 indirect jobs for a total of 14,500 jobs, with a 2011 economic impact of $4.4 billion for the Commonwealth’s economy.

"Natick Soldier Systems is a particularly bright example of the intersection of academic, scientific, and technological advancements taking place at all six of the Commonwealth’s bases," said MassDevelopment President and CEO Marty Jones. "We appreciate Gen. Milley taking the time to visit the Commonwealth and seeing what we have to offer in Massachusetts."

About the Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force

Housed within the Office of the Governor and supported by the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development and MassDevelopment, the Task Force coordinates among the Commonwealth’s six military facilities to maximize their efficiency. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is home to six military installations with more than $13 billion in total economic activity and support for more than 61,000 jobs, including Hanscom Air Force Base, Natick Soldier Systems Center, Joint Base Cape Cod, Fort Devens, Westover Air Force Reserve Base and Barnes Air National Guard Base.