University of Texas System to serve as home base for U.S. Army Futures Command

As part of the U.S. Army’s most significant reorganization since 1973, the Pentagon has selected Austin as its new base to partner closely with the best of academia, research and private sector innovation, and in doing so, also selected The University of Texas System as the headquarters for its Army Futures Command. 

The UT System Board of Regents Friday voted to provide the U.S. Army with space in the UT System building, located at 210 W. Seventh St. in downtown Austin. The details and timing of the arrangement still are being finalized.

The U.S. Army announced Friday that Austin had been selected as the location for the Army Futures Command in part because of its already-vibrant ecosystem of innovation, civic engagement and higher education, which includes UT Austin, one of the top-ranked research institutions in the nation.

The Army Futures Command is a new organization committed to coordinating modernization efforts and integrating innovation across the Army.

Regents Chairman Sara Martinez Tucker said the UT System is delighted to partner with the U.S. Army not just to provide physical space but also to leverage the vast resources and expertise of UT Austin and UT institutions across the state.

“UT institutions are home to the nation’s leading experts in national security, bioterrorism, cybersecurity, medicine and engineering and have well-established research enterprises and cultures of innovation that the U.S Army is relying on as it modernizes and accelerates its capabilities,” Tucker said.

“Among five national finalists vying for the Army’s presence, we are honored that Texas – and specifically Austin – was ultimately selected. This is the perfect example of academic, business, government and civic leaders joining forces in the spirit of national service,” Tucker added. 

Governor Greg Abbott and representatives from the U.S. Army spoke at a news conference at the Austin Chamber of Commerce Friday afternoon and praised the UT System’s involvement.

“I want to express my sincere appreciation to the University of Texas System for its hard work and collaboration in partnering with the U.S. Army in this important endeavor,” Gov. Abbott said. “Today’s announcement brings ground-breaking research in the area of national defense to our state capital, and I look forward to the military’s advancements in protecting our nation being made possible by the great minds in the UT System of higher education.”

Lt. Gen. Eric J. Wesley, the integration management officer for Army Futures Command, said what set Austin apart was how the community unified in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration.

“The reason we came to Austin is because we want to be next to talent,” he said. “The UT System Board of Regents were great leaders in this effort.”

The UT System, composed of 14 institutions, including six medical schools, is one of the largest public university systems in the United States and enrolls more than 234,000 students. UT institutions grant more than one-third of the state’s undergraduate degrees – including more than 9,200 degrees in STEM-related fields annually.

Across UT institutions, government-supported research and development expenditures total $2.7 billion, ranking second nationally among U.S. public higher education systems.

The UT System was recently ranked No. 3 in the world for most patents granted to a university or university system – making it one of the most innovative systems of higher education in the world.

About The University of Texas System
Educating students, providing care for patients, conducting groundbreaking basic, applied and clinical research, and serving the needs of Texans and the nation for more than 130 years, The University of Texas System is one of the largest public university systems in the United States. With 14 institutions and a projected enrollment of more than 234,000 students, the UT System confers more than one-third of the state’s undergraduate degrees, educates approximately two-thirds of the state’s health care professionals annually and accounts for almost 70 percent of all research funds awarded to public institutions in Texas. The UT System’s operating budget for FY 2018 is $18.3 billion, funded in part by $3.6 billion in sponsored programs from federal, state, local and private sources. With more than 20,000 faculty – including Nobel laureates and members of the National Academies – and nearly 80,000 health care professionals, researchers, student advisors and support staff, the UT System is one of the largest employers in the state.