Honoring dedication supporting the soldier through a lasting legacy within the C5ISR community

The C5ISR Hall of Fame recognizes and memorializes former members of the C5ISR community, which includes both Soldiers and civilians from the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command; Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground; U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command C5ISR Center; Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications – Tactical; Program Executive Office for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors; and Network Cross-Functional Team who have made a significant and enduring contribution to the community and the U.S Army.

The Class of 2024 C5ISR Hall of Fame inductees were honored for their contributions on June 27, 2024, in the Myer Auditorium at Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), Maryland. Each inductee was formally honored for their contributions, receiving a trophy and plaque displayed on the C5ISR Hall of Fame wall.

Mr. Thomas Michelli’s 30-year career of exceptional performance impacted the broadest spectrum of C5ISR from tactical and strategic Army systems, to joint and defense-wide systems, to critical national command systems supporting the highest levels of C5ISR. Mr. Michelli was the Director of the Office of Plans and Programs at the Tri-Service Tactical Communications (TRI-TAC) Office (redesignated as the Joint Tactical Command Control Communications Agency (JTC3A) in 1984). In 1986, Mr. Michelli transitioned back to the Army structure as the Associate Technical Director of the U.S. Army Information Systems Management Activity / Program Manager Army Information Systems (USAISMA/PM AIS) to influence an even broader spectrum of C5ISR. In 1987, PM AIS became PEO Networks, with Mr. Michelli designated the Deputy PEO. Mr. Michelli’s fingerprints touched nearly every desk of the Army, as he oversaw and played an active role of the Army Small Computer Program (ASCP, now labeled CHESS). This program pioneered the implementation of multiple award IDIQ contracting, which today is one of the most powerful contracting tools for rapid solutioning of military requirements. In his last few years of government service, Mr. Michelli was responsible for two exceptionally noteworthy accomplishments: the relocation of the SOUTHCOM HQ command center from Panama to Miami and the massive Pentagon Renovation project where Mr. Michelli oversaw the relocation and upgrades of all critical C5ISR assets from desktops to national command centers, for which he was selected as a Distinguished Rank recipient of the Presidential Rank award in 1996.

To see photos from the ceremony, visit: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBx6GH.

To watch the induction ceremony, visit: https://dod.teams.microsoft.us/l/meetup-join/19%3adod%3ameeting_3f8eb656fa74488a9a0dd29b8f2aa024%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22fae6d70f-954b-4811-92b6-0530d6f84c43%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%225367987d-e4d5-4dc5-b5b6-6b7ef39f5fbc%22%2c%22IsBroadcastMeeting%22%3atrue%7d.

Tom Michelli’s induction speech can be seen at the 1:12 mark.