Johnston assumes command of ERDC

Maj. Gen. Don T. Riley, deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, passes the flag to Col. Gary E. Johnston, incoming ERDC commander, at the Assumption of Command Ceremony on July 25 as Alice Duke, ERDC deputy to the commander, and Dr. James Houston, ERDC director, look on.

30 Jul 2008 -- Vicksburg, MS. -- The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) welcomed new commander, Col. Gary E. Johnston, July 25, with an Assumption of Command Ceremony at ERDC’s Vicksburg, Miss, site. Maj. Gen. Don T. Riley, deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, presided over the ceremony. Assumption of Command Video

The ERDC is the research and development organization for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with more than 2,000 employees, $1.2 billion in facilities, and an annual research program exceeding $1 billion.  ERDC conducts research in both military and civilian mission areas for the Department of Defense and the nation with laboratory facilities in four states.

As ERDC commander, Johnston will be responsible for all ERDC installations and will oversee ERDC support elements.  He will assist in planning and executing R&D activities, with emphasis on identifying Soldier requirements and providing liaison to Corps districts, military installations and the Army’s Engineer Regiment.

In his closing remarks Friday, Riley said, “Col. Johnston, you are a fortunate commander to join such an elite organization.”  He also added that Johnston’s duties and travels have given him the opportunity to see ERDC’s research products firsthand, so he knows the value of ERDC’s technologies and will be a good fit as ERDC commander.

Prior to assuming command of ERDC, Johnston served as the G3 (Operations Officer) for Task Force Hope, part of the Corps’ Mississippi Valley Division charged with providing hurricane protection projects around New Orleans, La.  Prior to that, he was commander of the Gulf Region Division’s South District in Iraq, where he was responsible for executing $3.1 billion of construction support programs for infrastructure reconstruction and military construction projects. 

From July 2003 to June 2006, he served as commander of the Chicago District and was responsible for water resources development in a 5,000-square-mile area with a population of eight million.

Johnston was commissioned in the Corps in 1980 and has completed the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses.  He earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Louisiana Tech University, a master’s in structural engineering from the University of Maryland, and a master’s in strategic studies from the Air War College.

As a company grade officer, Johnston served as platoon leader, company commander, and battalion S4.  Upon completing his master’s degree, he served a tour at ERDC’s Vicksburg site, at that time called the Waterways Experiment Station.  His other roles include: executive officer, 19th Combat Engineer Battalion; plans officer, 194th Armored Brigade; exchange officer, Royal School of Military Engineers; and executive officer, Joint Readiness Training Center’s Operations Group in Fort Polk, La.

His awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (five oak leaf clusters), Army Commendation Medal (one oak leaf cluster), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Airborne Badge, and Ranger Tab.