WEST FORT HOOD, Texas – The U.S. Army Operational Test Command (OTC) will host a Command Sergeant Major Change of Responsibility Ceremony Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 9:30 a.m. at its headquarters here.

Command Sgt. Maj. David N. Sweeney, formerly the Command Sergeant Major of U.S. Army Garrison Fort Bliss, Texas, and the 1st Armored Division Home Station Mission Command, will assume responsibilities as OTC’s senior enlisted leader from Command Sgt. Maj. Joe E. Johnson.

Johnson, who has served with OTC since May 5, 2023, will retire during a separate ceremony at the III Corps and Fort Hood Headquarters West Atrium Dec. 16.

Sweeney enlisted in the U.S. Army in January 2001 and completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training as a Military Police Soldier at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

Brig. Gen. Shannon-Mikal Lucas, OTC commander, will preside over the ceremony.

Media Instructions: Media representatives wishing to cover the event should contact Michael Novogradac, OTC Public Affairs Officer, at 254-449-3686 or email: michael.m.novogradac.civ@army.mil no later than 3 p.m. Monday.

Media should arrive at the West Fort Hood gate (Clarke Road and Highway 190/I-14) Tuesday at 9 a.m. to be escorted to the event.

In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved indoors.

OTC, a subordinate unit of the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the Army’s only independent operational tester. By evaluating Army, Joint, and Multi-Service warfighting systems in realistic operational environments with typical Soldiers, OTC ensures systems are effective, suitable, and survivable. Public law requires OTC to test major systems before they are fielded to their ultimate customer — the American Soldier.