Bouchard receives first star

Army Communicator, Spring, 2006 by Charmain Z. Brackett

What began as a way to achieve the dream of a college degree has developed into a successful yet humbling career for BG Ronald Bouchard.

"It's an honor to serve as an American Soldier, and it's a great opportunity to be here at Fort Gordon" said Bouchard, U.S. Army Signal Center and Fort Gordon deputy commander, who was recently promoted to the rank of brigadier general.

Bouchard attended the University of New Hampshire on a four-year ROTC scholarship. After he obtained his degree, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in May 1977.

Initially, he planned to stay in the Army long enough to repay his college debt; however, he found that his experience during those early years was rewarding.

"I received a lot of satisfaction," he said.

His career has led him to many duty stations including several tours in Korea.

"I've never had a bad assignment," he said. "Each assignment has been educational and has been a fulfilling part in my life."

At Fort Gordon, he has been tasked with two major assignments.

As Fort Gordon's deputy commander, he serves in BG Randy Strong's stead when Strong is not here. His other major role is that of assistant commandant of the Signal school.

"BG Strong wants to ensure the training the installation provides is world class," he said.

The school has an important mission in utilizing the best technology to provide the best communications during the Army's transformation.

"These are exciting times," he said.

Endeavors such as LandWarNet University are among the many exciting things he sees on the horizon. Helping the warfighter to have battle command is an important goal to be accomplished.

Not only is the work rewarding, but the relationships that have developed through his career are also important to Bouchard.

"I'm very fortunate to have a close family and very good friends," he said.

Although it's a large entity, the Army is a close-knit family, he said.

"Even though we are very large, you develop friendships. Many become almost like family," he said. "I'm truly, truly blessed."

Many of those friends came from all parts of the country to Fort Gordon last month for his promotion ceremony.

His wife, Marcia, and son, Michael, have also invaluably contributed to Bouchard's successful career.

"Michael and Marcia are full supporters," he said. "They truly enjoy being an Army family."

Bouchard doesn't know what the future holds, but he looks forward to continuing to serve country in whatever capacity the Army needs.

Ms. Brackett is a contributing writer for The Signal, Public Affairs Office, Fort Gordon.

ACRONYM QUICKSCAN

III MEF--III Marine Expeditionary Force

APC--area processing center

APFT--Army Physical Fitness Test

AMC--Army Materiel Command

APM SCS--Assistant Program Manager Satellite Communications Systems

ASC--Army Signal Command

ATS--automatic transfer switches

C-E LCMC--Communications-Electronics Life Cycle Management Command

CPP--Command Post Platforms

DEA--Deployment Excellence Award

DDTP--Defense Distribution Depot Tobyhanna

DISN--Defense Information Systems Network

DoD--Department of Defense

DOIM--Directorate of Information Management

DSCS--Defense Satellite Communications System

DRSN--Defense Red Switch Network

DSN--Defense Switch Network

ECU--environmental control units

FOB--Forward Operating Base

FSR--field services representatives

FY--fiscal year

GT--General Technical

HVAC--heating, ventilating, and air conditioning

IGPBS--Integrated Global Presence and Basing Study

JWICS--Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System

kVA--kilovolt-amps

LAR--Logistics assistance representative

LCC--local control center

LSA--land support area

MIDAS--Multiplexer Integration and Digital Communications Satellite Subsystem Automation Systems

MSE--mobile subscriber equipment

MW--megawatts

NETCOM--Network Enterprise Technology Command

NIPRNET--Non-secure Internet Protocol Router Network

PEO EIS--Program Executive Office for Enterprise Information Systems

PM DCATS--Project Manager, Defense Communications and Army Transmission Systems

PM DWTS--Product Manager, Defense Wide Transmission Systems

PM J-AIT--Product Manager, Joint-Automatic Identification Technology

RF-ITV--Radio Frequency In-Transit Visibility

SATCOM--satellite communications

SBCT--Stryker Brigade Combat Teams

SCS--Satellite Communications Systems

SIPERNET--Secret Internet Protocol Router Network

STEP--Standardized Tactical Entry Point

UPS--uninterrupted power supply

USA ISEC--Information Systems Engineering Command

USAREC--U.S. Army Recruiting Command

USSATCOMA--United States Satellite Communications Agency

VAC--volts alternating current

VTC--video teleconferencing