Chief of Ordnance of the United States Army | |
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Incumbent since July 6, 2023Steven Allen | |
Formation | May 14, 1812 |
First holder | COL Decius Wadsworth |
Website | Official website |
The Chief of Ordnance of the United States Army is a general officer who is responsible for the Army Ordnance Corps and serves as the Commandant of the U.S. Army Ordnance School at Fort Gregg-Adams. The Chief of Ordnance is primarily focused on the doctrine, training, and professional development of Ordnance officers and soldiers. The position was created simultaneously with the establishment of the United States Army Ordnance Department on May 14, 1812.
The American Revolution established the general outlines of the future Ordnance Department. The Continental Congress' Board for War and Ordnance created the Commissary General for Military Stores to establish and operate ordnance facilities in an effort to alleviate the dependence on foreign arms and munitions. Colonel Benjamin Flower led the Commissary from his appointment in January 1775 until his death in May 1781. Ordnance facilities were established at Springfield Armory, Massachusetts and Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania for the production of arms, powder, and shot. After the war, the logistic elements were disbanded and the authority for procurement and provision of all things military was transferred to the Office of the Purveyor of Public Supplies located within the Treasury Department. [1]
By the dawn of the War of 1812, the Secretary of War recognized the need for a distinct branch to manage the procurement, research, and maintenance of Ordnance materiel. Decius Wadsworth, previously superintendent of West Point, was appointed a Colonel and given the title Commissary General of Ordnance, later changed to Chief of Ordnance. His ambition, during the war years and afterward, was to simplify and streamline Ordnance materiel management. His staff worked to reduce the variety of small arms and artillery pieces to a few efficient models. In addition, he aimed to develop a cadre of highly trained Ordnance officers who could dedicate their inventive ingenuity to their profession. [2]
Between 1906 and 1915 Chief of Ordnance Brig. Gen. William Crozier attempted to introduce scientific management systems into his department. With industrial productivity receiving national attention through the efforts of Frederick Winslow Taylor and others, Crozier sought favorable comparisons with private industry in his Congressional relations. Strikes at the Watertown Arsenal and Rock Island Arsenal limited the use of time studies and piece rates in the department, but at Springfield Arsenal a century's development of piece rates precluded the need for such studies or conflict. New Armory practices borrowed or influenced by Taylorism included centralized planning for better routing of tasks and components, improved accounting systems for tools and raw materials, introduction of high-speed tool steels, and reorganization of shop floors. By 1915, Armory managers also obtained substantial amounts of new equipment and completed direct rail links from the Armories to trunk lines. Better on-site transportation, along with increased use of electrical power and rebuilt power transmission systems, removed most of the Armory's long-standing geographic and power supply limitations. Capital improvements, and new accounting practices to control manufacturing materials purchases, had significant effects in reducing production costs, but still left the Army with a limited capacity to respond to a major conflict. [3] But Crozier had problems obtaining budget too. [4]
Ordnance Department supply failures during the first months of formal American involvement in the First World War cost Crozier his job, despite several attempts at wholesale departmental reorganization along functional lines with decentralized districts. In part by delegating more authority to district civilian managers, Crozier's successor, Maj. Gen. Clarence C. Williams (Chief of Ordnance, 1918-30), succeeded in gaining on ordnance supply problems as the war ended, by which time the department's reputation remained clouded. [3]
Following the massive reorganization of the Army in 1962 based on the Hoelscher Committee Report, the Ordnance Corps and the office of the Chief of Ordnance was disestablished. The Ordnance branch continued under the direction of the Army's Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics. Army Materiel Command assumed responsibility for many of the Ordnance Corps historical functions; research, development, procurement, production, storage and technical intelligence. [2]
In 1985, the Ordnance Corps became the first of the Army's support elements to re-establish itself under the branch regimental concept. The Office of the Chief of Ordnance was reestablished and regained responsibility for decisions concerning personnel, force structure, doctrine, and training. This change gave the opportunity for Ordnance officers, soldiers, and civilians to identify with their historical predecessors in their mission of Ordnance support to the U.S. Army. [2]
In accordance with the 2005 Base Closure and Realignment Commission, the U.S. Army Ordnance School and the Chief of Ordnance moved from Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland to Fort Lee, Virginia.
In Fiscal Year 2024, all sustainment commandants were reduced on the Tables of Distributions and Allowances (TDA). The Chief of Ordnance was reduced from brigadier general to colonel. The current Chief of Ordnance is Colonel Robin (Rob) Montgomery.
Name | Photo | Term began | Term ended | |
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1. | Colonel Decius Wadsworth | July 2, 1812 | June 1, 1821 | |
2. | Colonel George Bomford | May 30, 1832 | March 25, 1848 | |
3. | Brevet Brigadier General George Talcott | March 25, 1848 | July 10, 1851 | |
4. | Colonel Henry K. Craig | July 10, 1851 | April 23, 1861 | |
5. | Brevet Brigadier General James Wolfe Ripley | April 23, 1861 | September 15, 1863 | |
6. | Brigadier General George D. Ramsay | September 15, 1863 | September 12, 1864 | |
7. | Brevet Major General Alexander B. Dyer | September 12, 1864 | May 20, 1874 | |
8. | Brigadier General Stephen Vincent Benet | June 23, 1874 | January 22, 1891 | |
9. | Brigadier General Daniel W. Flagler | January 23, 1891 | March 29, 1899 | |
10. | Brigadier General Adelbert R. Buffington | April 5, 1899 | November 22, 1901 | |
11. | Brigadier General William Crozier | November 22, 1901 | December 19, 1917 | |
Acting | Brigadier General Charles B. Wheeler | 20 December 1917 | 19 April 1918 | |
Acting | Brigadier General William S. Peirce | 19 April 1918 | 2 May 1918 | |
12. | Major General Clarence C. Williams | May 2, 1918 | April 1, 1930 | |
Acting | Brigadier General Colden Ruggles | April 2, 1930 | June 2, 1930 | |
13. | Major General Samuel Hof | June 3, 1930 | June 2, 1934 | |
14. | Major General William H. Tschappat | June 3, 1934 | June 2, 1938 | |
15. | Major General Charles M. Wesson | June 3, 1938 | May 3, 1942 | |
16. | Major General Levin H. Campbell Jr. | June 1, 1942 | May 31, 1946 | |
17. | Major General Everett S. Hughes | June 1, 1946 | October 31, 1949 | |
18. | Major General Elbert L. Ford | November 1, 1949 | October 31, 1953 | |
19. | Lieutenant General Emerson L. Cummings | November 1, 1953 | April 2, 1958 | |
20. | Lieutenant General John H. Hinrichs | April 2, 1958 | May 31, 1962 | |
21. | Major General Horace F. Bigelow | June 1, 1962 | July 31, 1962 | |
22. | Major General William E. Potts | October 28, 1985 | June 13, 1986 | |
23. | Major General Leon E. Salomon | June 13, 1986 | August 12, 1988 | |
24. | Major General James W. Ball | August 12, 1988 | July 13, 1990 | |
25. | Brigadier General Johnnie E. Wilson | July 13, 1990 | June 30, 1992 | |
26. | Major General John G. Coburn | June 30, 1992 | June 20, 1994 | |
27. | Major General James W. Monroe | June 20, 1994 | August 11, 1995 | |
28. | Major General Robert D. Shadley | August 11, 1995 | July 10, 1997 | |
29. | Brigadier General Thomas R. Dickinson | July 10, 1997 | September 18, 1998 | |
30. | Major General Dennis K. Jackson | October 20, 1998 | July 25, 2000 | |
31. | Major General Mitchell H. Stevenson | July 25, 2000 | August 15, 2003 | |
32. | Brigadier General William M. Lenaers | August 15, 2003 | September 10, 2004 | |
33. | Major General Vincent E. Boles | September 10, 2004 | October 30, 2006 | |
34. | Brigadier General Rebecca S. Halstead | October 30, 2006 | June 26, 2008 | |
35. | Brigadier General Lynn A. Collyar | June 26, 2008 | July 29, 2010 | |
36. | Brigadier General Clark W. LeMasters Jr. | July 29, 2010 | March 21, 2012 | |
37. | Brigadier General Edward M. Daly | June 12, 2012 | May 17, 2013 | |
38. | Brigadier General John F. Haley | May 17, 2013 | June 12, 2015 | |
39 | Brigadier General Kurt J. Ryan | July 10, 2015 | June 1, 2016 | |
40 | Brigadier General David Wilson | August 10, 2016 | May 8, 2018 | |
41 | Brigadier General Heidi J. Hoyle | May 8, 2018 | May 21, 2020 | |
42 | Brigadier General Michelle M.T. Letcher | June 16, 2020 | June 21, 2021 | |
43 | Brigadier General Michael B. Lalor | July 13, 2021 | July 6, 2023 | |
44 | Brigadier General Steven L. Allen | July 6, 2023 | June 4, 2024 | |
45 | Colonel Robin (Rob) Montgomery | June 5, 2024 | Present | |
The following individuals have served as acting Chief of Ordnance: [5]
During the American Civil War, the United States Army, the land force that fought to preserve the collective Union of the states, was often referred to as the Union Army, the Federal Army, or the Northern Army. It proved essential to the restoration and preservation of the United States as a working, viable republic.
The Springfield Armory, more formally known as the United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield located in the city of Springfield, Massachusetts, was the primary center for the manufacture of United States military firearms from 1777 until its closing in 1968. It was the first federal armory and one of the first factories in the United States dedicated to the manufacture of weapons. The site is preserved as the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, Western Massachusetts' only unit of the national park system. It features the world's largest collection of historic American firearms.
William Crozier was a career United States Army officer in the Ordnance Corps and the 11th Chief of Ordnance.
The Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC) was a corps of the British Army. At its renaming as a Royal Corps in 1918 it was both a supply and repair corps. In the supply area it had responsibility for weapons, armoured vehicles and other military equipment, ammunition and clothing and certain minor functions such as laundry, mobile baths and photography. The RAOC was also responsible for a major element of the repair of Army equipment. In 1942 the latter function was transferred to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) and the vehicle storage and spares responsibilities of the Royal Army Service Corps were in turn passed over to the RAOC. The RAOC retained repair responsibilities for ammunition, clothing and certain ranges of general stores. In 1964 the McLeod Reorganisation of Army Logistics resulted in the RAOC absorbing petroleum, rations and accommodation stores functions from the Royal Army Service Corps as well as the Army Fire Service, barrack services, sponsorship of NAAFI (EFI) and the management of staff clerks from the same Corps. On 5 April 1993, the RAOC was one of the corps that amalgamated to form The Royal Logistic Corps (RLC).
The United States Army Ordnance Corps, formerly the United States Army Ordnance Department, is a sustainment branch of the United States Army, headquartered at Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia. The broad mission of the Ordnance Corps is to supply Army combat units with weapons and ammunition, including at times their procurement and maintenance. Along with the Quartermaster Corps and Transportation Corps, it forms a critical component of the U.S. Army logistics system.
Alexander Brydie Dyer was an American soldier in a variety of 19th century wars, serving most notably as a general and the Army's Chief of Ordnance for the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps during the American Civil War.
Adelbert Rinaldo Buffington was a United States Army Brigadier General who served as the 10th Chief of Ordnance for the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps.
The Quartermaster General of the United States Army is a general officer who is responsible for the Quartermaster Corps, the Quartermaster branch of the U.S. Army. The Quartermaster General does not command Quartermaster units, but is primarily focused on training, doctrine and professional development of Quartermaster soldiers. The Quartermaster General also serves as the Commanding General, U.S. Army Quartermaster Center and School, Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia and the traditional Quartermaster Corps.
Samuel Hof was an officer in the United States Army during World War I. He was 13th Chief of Ordnance for the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps.
Decius Wadsworth was a Colonel in the U.S. Army before and during the War of 1812. He graduated from Yale College in 1785 with Honors. He was a renowned military organizer, engineer and inventor. In 1812, he was selected to be the 1st Chief of Ordnance for the new United States Army Ordnance Department.
George Bomford was a distinguished military officer in the United States Army and an inventor and designer of weapons and defensive installations. He served as the second Chief of Ordnance for the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps.
Charles Macon Wesson was a major general in the United States Army and the Army's 15th Chief of Ordnance for the U.S. Army Ordnance Department from 1938 to 1942.
The Rock Island Arsenal Museum explores the history of Arsenal Island, its commands and the history of Army manufacturing at Rock Island Arsenal. It is the second oldest museum of the United States Army.
Brevet Brigadier General George Talcott was a career officer in the United States Army and served as the 3rd Chief of Ordnance of the U.S. Army.
Major General Clarence Charles Williams was a career officer in the United States Army and served as the 12th Chief of Ordnance for the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps.
Major General Elbert Louis Ford was a career officer in the United States Army and served as the 18th Chief of Ordnance for the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps.
Odus Creamer Horney was an officer of the U.S. Army from 1891 to 1930. Horney transferred from infantry to ordnance in 1894. He co-designed the M1903 Springfield rifle and invented the smokeless powder plant factory. During World War I, Horney returned to serve as lieutenant colonel, colonel and brigadier general. In 1919, Horney was reappointed as lieutenant colonel and later served as ordnance officer of the Philippine Department.
William Sullivan Peirce was a United States Army officer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In World War I, he commanded the Springfield Armory. He attained the rank of brigadier general, and after the war served as the Army's Assistant Chief of Ordnance.
Colden L'Hommedieu Ruggles was a career officer in the United States Army. A prominent member of the Ordnance Corps, he attained the rank of brigadier general, and was notable for planning and overseeing construction of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. In addition, he was noteworthy for his service as acting Chief of Ordnance in 1930.
Charles Brewster Wheeler was a career officer in the United States Army. An 1887 graduate of the United States Military Academy, he was a veteran of the Spanish–American War, Philippine–American War, and World War I and attained the rank of brigadier general. Wheeler's awards and decorations included the Army Distinguished Service Medal, French Legion of Honour (Commander), and honorary Order of the Bath (Companion) from the United Kingdom.
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army .