Brig. Gen. George ‘Chris’ Hackler
Deputy Commanding General
U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command
Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
Brig. Gen. George ‘Chris’ Hackler assumed the role of Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) on July 31, 2024. In this role, Hackler serves as the principal military advisor to the DEVCOM commander, enabling the effective operations of the headquarters and the command, as one unified Enterprise. He serves as DEVCOM’s primary representative to enable the operationalizing of Science & Technology through persistent experimentation efforts, focused excursions, and Concept Required Capabilities. Additionally, he serves as the DEVCOM champion for data analytics.
He concurrently serves as the Senior Commander of the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center located in Natick, Massachusetts. In this role, Hackler serves as the primary DEVCOM representative conducting outreach in Massachusetts and the New England area.
Hackler grew up in Missouri and started his military career as an enlisted combat engineer in the Missouri Army National Guard. He was commissioned in the Infantry in December of 1994.
His civilian education includes a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Missouri-Columbia, a master’s degree in logistics science from the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology, a master’s degree in operations research from Kansas State University, and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College. His military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, U.S. Air Force Air Command and Staff College, and the Senior Service College.
Hackler most recently served as the commander of the U.S. Army Operational Test Command (OTC) at Fort Cavazos, Texas, a subordinate command of the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command. He has served in a variety of maneuver assignments including: 506th IN in the Republic of South Korea (1); 87th IN at Fort Drum, NY (1); 1st BDE HQs and 2-5 CAV at Fort Cavazos, TX; Observer/ Controller at the National Training Center Fort Irwin, CA; Infantry Captain’s Career Course Small Group Instructor at Fort Moore, GA; and Border Transition Team Sinjar, Iraq.
In 2007, Hackler transitioned to the Operations Research/Systems Analysis (ORSA) functional area and has served in ORSA assignments at the U.S. Army Human Resources Command, TRADOC Analysis Center, HQDA DCS G-8/PA&E, HQDA DCS G-3, and the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan.
His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (1OLC), Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4OLC), Army Commendation Medal (2OLC), Army Achievement Medal (5OLC), Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Ranger Tab, and the Army Staff Badge.
