Photo By Sgt. Alexandria Halbert | Dignitaries and family members of Sgt. 1st Class Jared C. Monti cut the ribbon during...... read more read more
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NATICK, Mass. (April 7, 2025) – In a ceremony marked by pride, remembrance, and renewed purpose, the U.S. Army officially dedicated the Sergeant First Class Jared C. Monti Research Facility and Combat Lab at the Natick Soldier Systems Center, on April 7, 2025. The cutting-edge facility honors the selfless courage of a 10th Mountain Division (LI) Soldier whose actions continue to define the Army’s warrior ethos.
Sgt. 1st Class Jared C. Monti served with the 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI). On June 21, 2006, during combat operations in Afghanistan, Monti repeatedly braved intense enemy fire to attempt the rescue of a wounded Soldier. On his third attempt, he was fatally wounded—laying down his life in a final act of loyalty to his brothers-in-arms.
For his gallantry and unwavering devotion to duty, Monti was posthumously promoted and awarded the Medal of Honor in 2009. This medal recognizes his “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty”—a testament to his courage, leadership, and selfless service.
Maj. Gen. John Cushing, commanding general of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM), emphasized that Monti didn’t just serve in the 10th Mountain Division (LI)—he represented everything the unit stands for.
“It is our honor to dedicate this new research facility in honor of a Soldier who truly led a life of character and commitment,” Cushing said. “A Soldier who we all aspire to be more like.”
Cushing described the facility as built around the values Monti lived and died for—courage, commitment, and service to others.
“On behalf of DEVCOM, thank you all so much for joining us in this ceremony and the dedication of the Soldier and Squad Research Facility,” he continued. “We honor the legacy of a Soldier whose valor continues to set the standard for which we all shall strive.”
The 80,600-square-foot Sergeant First Class Jared C. Monti Research Facility is a cornerstone for the Army’s Soldier and Squad Performance Program. Inside its walls, 12 advanced research laboratories—including an 18,000-square-foot Combat Maneuver Lab—are designed to push the limits of what Soldiers can achieve physically, cognitively, and operationally.
Equipped with immersive training environments, performance monitoring systems, and state-of-the-art human performance testing platforms, the facility will enable Warfighters to train smarter, recover faster, and operate with peak effectiveness in complex, multi-domain environments.
Innovations within the lab explore everything from behavioral science to nutritional optimization and from team dynamics to wearable technologies. The research supports the Army’s modernization goals while remaining grounded in the ultimate objective: enhancing combat effectiveness at the squad level.
This facility was brought to life through close collaboration between the Army, private industry, and academic institutions—representing a shared investment in the readiness and resilience of tomorrow’s force.
More than a high-tech structure, the Monti facility is a living monument to its namesake’s sacrifice and to the 10th Mountain Division (LI) ethos.
“Our enemy fears us through our strength, our enemy fears us through our resilience and through our capabilities,” said Lt. Col. (Ret.) William D. Swenson, Medal of Honor recipient. “With Soldiers like Sgt. 1st Class Monti and with the systems that are produced out of this facility, we will have peace. Because our enemy will fear us. And our service members will see strength in what their former Soldiers did and what they too can do when called upon in the most challenging of times.”
Swenson’s message revealed a deeper truth: Monti’s values are etched not only into his award citation but also into the very mission of the facility that bears his name. Every Soldier who trains here is a beneficiary of his legacy and a bearer of his example.
During the ceremony, Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division (LI) conducted live demonstrations inside the facility, showcasing how real-time data, adaptive training systems, and physically demanding combat simulations will prepare them for modern warfare.
“Training at the Monti facility is a game-changer,” said 1st Lt. Ethan Letsch, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Brigade Engineer Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (LI). “It allows us to integrate advanced combat scenarios with real-time feedback and improve mission readiness in a dynamic environment.”
The Army’s commitment to remembering and honoring its heroes is more than ceremonial—it’s essential to its culture and strength.
“When Soldiers walk into this facility, they’re reminded that greatness isn’t just expected—it’s possible,” said Sgt. Keven Regan, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division (LI). “Monti’s sacrifice is our compass. He shows us the way.”
Through this dedication, the Army reinforces its enduring promise: to honor the fallen, uphold their values, and inspire future generations to serve with courage, integrity, and heart.
The Sergeant First Class Jared C. Monti Research Facility is now operational—ready to develop the next generation of Soldiers who, like Monti, will climb to glory and never leave a Soldier behind.
| Date Taken: | 04.09.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.11.2025 14:16 |
| Story ID: | 494929 |
| Location: | NATICK, MASSACHUSETTS, US |
| Web Views: | 203 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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