In a significant restructuring move, the U.S. Army officially deactivated Army Futures Command (AFC) on Thursday, October 2, 2025, after seven years of service. The command has been merged with the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) to form a new organization called the Transformation and Training Command, or T2COM.
End of an Era: AFC Deactivated After Seven Years
A spokesperson from T2COM confirmed to Breaking Defense that the deactivation ceremony for AFC took place at the LBJ Auditorium on the University of Texas campus in Austin. The event marked the end of AFC’s seven-year history and was followed by the activation of T2COM.
Army Transformation Initiative Drives Consolidation
The consolidation of AFC and TRADOC is a key component of the Army Transformation Initiative (ATI) announced in May. According to a memo from Secretary Pete Hegseth, the ATI aims to create a „leaner, more lethal force” by cutting general officer billets and restructuring offices responsible for requirements and acquisitions.
Revisiting the Past: AFC’s Origins and Evolution
AFC was established in 2018 in Austin, Texas, with the goal of accelerating the requirements process and streamlining the acquisition of new technologies and weapons. As John Ferrari, a senior nonresident fellow at AEI and retired Army Maj. Gen., noted before the ATI announcement, „AFC mostly came from TRADOC and so putting it back makes sense.” He added that AFC’s initial premise of devolved acquisition authority did not fully materialize, making the restructuring a recognition of the need for change.
T2COM Leadership and Structure
With the activation of T2COM, Gen. James Rainey (AFC) and Gen. Gary Brito (TRADOC) have retired. Lt. Gen. David Hodne, formerly the deputy commanding general for futures and concepts at AFC, will lead the new command. T2COM will primarily operate out of Austin, Texas, with some operations continuing at Fort Eustis, Va., TRADOC’s former headquarters. Hodne is awaiting Senate confirmation for a fourth star.
Doubling Down on Transformation
Gen. Rainey stated earlier this month that Hodne will have „more authority, more ability, [more] control of basically the entire institutional Army to get the ability to transform even faster.” He emphasized that while names and patches may change, the Army is „doubling down on transforming” and will remain committed to its presence in Austin.
