NATICK, Mass. – The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Soldier Center held a ribbon cutting and building dedication ceremony for the Sergeant First Class (SFC) Jared C. Monti Soldier and Squad Research Facility at the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center (NSSC) on April 7, 2025.
The new facility, completed in November 2024, was formally named for Raynham, Mass. native and Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jared Monti, who was killed during combat in Afghanistan in 2006 while serving with the 10th Mountain Division.
Monti’s devotion to the Soldiers under his charge, for whom he made the ultimate sacrifice while heroically acting to save, was the driving force in naming a building dedicated to Soldier and small unit performance research in his honor.
The SFC Jared C. Monti Soldier & Squad Research Facility is an 80,600 square-foot, state-of-the-art, military research complex designed for understanding, predicting, and optimizing the performance of the individual warfighter and squad.
The facility’s 19 embedded laboratories deliver cutting-edge, multidisciplinary applied research, test and evaluation studies in the cognitive, behavioral, nutritional, biomechanical, and physiological sciences, offering a one-stop-shop for Soldier performance optimization research.
The ceremony marked its official opening and was attended by Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kimberly Driscoll, the Commanding General of U.S. Army Futures Command, Gen. James E. Rainey, the Commanding General of U.S. Army DEVCOM, Maj. Gen. John M. Cushing, members of the Monti family, Medal of Honor recipient and retired U.S. Army Lt.Col. William D. Swenson, Army senior leaders, state and local politicians, and other distinguished guests.
After a stirring rendition of the National Anthem performed by Mr. Fran Rogers of the famed Boston Pops, the audience heard remarks by Cushing, Driscoll, Monti’s sister Nicole Monti-Alicea, and Swenson.
“Today we start a new era of Soldier Center research capabilities in support of Army transformation and war-winning future readiness,” said Cushing. “After hearing about Sgt. 1st Class Monti and the type of Soldier and leader he was, anything we can do to improve Soldier and squad lethality, I’m pretty sure he would be all for it.”
“The battle that took Jared’s life underscores the incredible challenges our Soldiers face on dismounted missions in remote locations,” said Cushing. “That’s why we’re so proud to be officially opening the SFC Jared C. Monti Soldier and Squad Research Facility, where our scientists and engineers will focus on optimizing the individual Soldier’s and squad’s operational, cognitive, behavioral, nutritional, physiological, and physical performance.”
“Simply put, our work starts and ends with the Soldier in mind,” said Cushing. “Innovations in this facility will save Soldiers’ lives.”
“It is our honor to dedicate this facility to a Soldier who truly led a life of character and commitment, a Soldier who we all aspire to be more like,” he said.
Nicole Monti-Alicea delivered a moving speech in which she shared stories about her brother’s life that further illustrated his character. She described her family’s grief in coping with his loss and how honoring him in this way provides the closure they needed.
“My mom and I had been having conversations over the last few years about where we would give all of Jared’s medals, uniforms, and other military items,” said Moni-Alicea “We wanted them to go where we knew they’d be honored, not hidden away in a room.
“After our meeting, we knew that Jared’s highest honors belonged here,” she said. “And my mother finally got the one thing she always wanted – and that was for her son to finally rest in peace.
“Rest in peace, little brother,” she said.
Lt. Gov. Driscoll recognized the commonwealth’s partnerships with the installation, referred to locally as “Natick Labs,” and reinforced the benefits that being in the Bay State offers the Army.
“Here in Massachusetts, we strive to be leaders in everything we do. We’re global leaders in STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) and life sciences. We’re home to life saving treatments and cures, technological advancements, and innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges,” said Driscoll.
“We also make a major impact in the defense sector,” said Driscoll. “Thanks to Natick Labs and other installations, we’re continuously in the top ten [states] for defense spending nationally. Not only do our bases generate $13 billion in total economic activity and 57,000 jobs, but we also know that our talent here greatly benefits the military.”
Driscoll described how her own upbringing in a military family instilled the values that have guided her career since, including her current roles as chair of the STEM Advisory Council and co-chair of the Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force.
“Both of those missions align critically with the work being done here in Natick,” said Driscoll.
“As the only active-duty Army installation in all of New England, Natick Labs is the key leader on projects that make all of us stronger, safer, and more innovative,” said Driscoll. “Natick is also responsible for practically everything a Soldier needs.”
“It’s all done here and we’re proud to be a partner on that team,” she said.
Addressing Monti’s family, Driscoll expressed gratitude for their sacrifice and pledged to honor his legacy through the mission of the facility commemorating his name.
“Having his name on this building is only going to ensure that we work extra hard to continue to find the best way forward for our Soldiers every day,” she said.
As the keynote speaker, Swenson, also a former member of the 10th Mountain Division, related how Monti’s story was a source of inspiration during his own service, which later led to him earning the nation’s highest award for valor in combat.
“It was Sgt 1st Class Monti’s story that I got to look to before I deployed to Afghanistan in 2008,” said Swenson. “To see something amazing, to see what a warfighter with capabilities could do when put in situations beyond comprehension, to see what he would do for his team.”
“For me, to know that Sgt. 1st Class Monti will forever have this building enshrined to him is important. Because our enemies fear us through our strength. Our enemies fear us through our resilience. Through our capabilities. And with Soldiers like Sgt 1st Class Monti, and the systems that are produced out of this facility, we will have peace,” said Swenson.
Closing out the dedication, multi-platinum award-winning country music artist Lee Brice performed, “I Drive Your Truck,” a song inspired by the loss of Monti in Afghanistan and named Song of the Year during the 49th annual Academy of Country Music Awards in 2014.
Monti’s actual pickup truck served as a backdrop to Brice’s touching acoustic tribute.
Following the ceremony, guests observed an infantry squad demonstration by current Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division inside the facility’s Combat Maneuver Lab, or CML.
Within the larger facility, the CML is a highly configurable human performance laboratory boasting 18,000 sq. ft. of space dedicated to conducting warfighter and squad systems research, development, and integration uniquely focused on analyzing and improving team dynamics, lethality, and combat readiness.
The CML utilizes immersive simulation technologies with operational scenario-driven exercises that track an infantry mission cycle from baselining and planning to movement, action, and recovery.
DEVCOM Soldier Center Director Doug Tamilio introduced the demonstration, highlighting the CML’s unique features and emphasizing how its work will benefit the entire Army.
“This demonstration offers a glimpse into the CML’s vast potential, showcasing its data collection capabilities across various research areas and scientific disciplines,” said Tamilio.
“The impact of this research is threefold: data-driven feedback to revolutionize squad training, quantifiable data on Soldier burden and lethality to drive smarter acquisition decisions, and unparalleled insights into the dynamics of high-performing teams,” said Tamilio.
“Ultimately, the CML is an investment in a more lethal, more effective fighting force,” he said.
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About DEVCOM Soldier Center:
The DEVCOM Soldier Center is committed to discovering, developing, and advancing science and technology solutions that ensure America’s warfighters are optimized, protected, and lethal. DEVCOM Soldier Center supports all of the Army's Modernization efforts, with the Soldier Lethality and Synthetic Training Environment Cross Functional Teams being the DEVCOM Soldier Center’s chief areas of focus. The center’s science and engineering expertise are combined with collaborations with industry, DOD, and academia to advance Soldier and squad performance. The center supports the Army as it transforms from being adaptive to driving innovation to support a Multi-Domain Operations Capable Force of 2028 and a MDO Ready Force of 2035. DEVCOM Soldier Center is constantly working to strengthen Soldiers’ performance to increase readiness and support for warfighters who are organized, trained, and equipped for prompt and sustainable ground combat.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) outreach and mentoring the next generation of scientists and engineers are also an important part of the mission of DEVCOM Soldier Center. The mentoring of students by Army scientists and engineers benefits the students and their communities. It also increases young people's awareness of potential Army job opportunities and helps provide the Army with potential new talent, helping to fuel innovative ideas that benefit the nation's warfighters and the nation as a whole.
DEVCOM Soldier Center is part of DEVCOM. Through collaboration across the command's core technical competencies, DEVCOM leads in the discovery, development and delivery of the technology-based capabilities required to make Soldiers more lethal to win our nation's wars and come home safely. DEVCOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Futures Command.
| Date Taken: | 04.15.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.25.2025 09:40 |
| Story ID: | 495446 |
| Location: | NATICK, MASSACHUSETTS, US |
| Hometown: | NATICK, MASSACHUSETTS, US |
| Web Views: | 11 |
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