Joint Interoperability Test Command: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Unit of the United States Department of Defense}}

{{advert|date=June 2018}}

The '''Joint Interoperability Test Command''' ('''JITC''') is a wing of the [[United States Department of Defense]] that tests and certifies [[information technology]] products for military use.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ribboncommunications.com/company/get-help/glossary/jitc|title=What is JITC? {{!}} Ribbon Communications|website=ribboncommunications.com|language=en|access-date=2019-07-11}}</ref>

The '''Joint Interoperability Test Command''' ('''JITC''') is DoD's Joint Interoperability Certifier and only non-Service Operational Test Agency for Information Technology (IT)/National Security Systems (NSS). JITC provides risk based Test Evaluation & Certification services, tools, and environments to ensure Joint Warfighting IT capabilities are interoperable and support mission needs.

== JITC's Unique RolesHistory ==

The JITC had its roots in the [[TRI-TAC]] program of the 1970s, which sought to streamline and test the technology behind field and tactical command systems. The program began officially in 1971, and work started in 1976 at [[Fort Huachuca]] in southern Arizona. The TRI-TAC program tested various field equipment for years, but ran into problems with working with other branches of the Department of Defense's testing programs. With an eye to fix this problem, the TRI-TAC program was rebranded and refocused in 1984 to become the Joint Tactical Command, Control, and Communications Agency (JTC3A). This led to the Fort Huachuca part of the operations to be renamed as the Joint Interoperability Test Force (JITF). Continued problems with cooperation and coordination between different testing agencies in the 80's led to another round of consolidation, which turned the Fort Huachuca operations into the Joint Interoperability Test Center (also abbreviated as JITC {{En dash}} somewhat confusingly {{En dash}} but not the same as the Joint Interoperability Test Command). Operations were further consolidated in 1988, and then in 1989 the Test Center gained its final name of the Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC). These final rounds of consolidation were concurrent with a Department of Defense push towards "[[interoperability]]", which aimed to ensure that military technology could work across branches of the military, between different arms of the same branch of the military, and even between nations as [[coalition]] military action became more frequent.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last1=Herrin|first1=Randon (Randy) R.|last2=Watson|first2=Chris|last3=Fenstermacher|first3=Col. Gene|date=June 2011|title=Interoperability Impacts the Warfighter: Organizing to Accomplish the Joint Interoperability Testing Mission|url=https://www.itea.org/images/pdf/publications/jite-32-02-2011-Jun-WEB.pdf|journal=The ITEA Journal|volume=32|issue=2 |pages=132–142}}</ref>

The focus of the JITC shifted towards interoperability and information technology testing in the 90's. By 2011 it employed more than 1,300 military personnel and contractors to test and certify military technology.<ref name=":0" />

Joint Interoperability Certifier – Test and Evaluation of the interoperability of IT and NSS is essential to reduce the risks faced by warfighters in the field. JITC is constantly reviewing processes to ensure it is performing tests as efficiently as possible into today’s austere environment. JITC’s ability to provide outstanding support to DISA and the Warfighter is characterized by several unique features. Although each Service has its own test organizations, JITC has sole responsibility for certifying joint and combined interoperability of all DoD IT and NSS.

Operational Test Agency (OTA) – JITC is established as the OTA for DISA-managed programs. It also serves as the OTA for other DoD agencies such as Defense Logistics Agency, Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Defense Commissary Agency, and the National Security Agency (NSA).

Unparalleled Warfighter Support – JITC is very responsive to the Warfighter! JITC testers work with the warfighting Combatant Commanders during exercises and contingency operations, providing them on-the-spot evaluations of problem areas and viable mission-oriented solutions.

Major Range and Test Facility Base (MRTFB) - JITC is the only non-service MRTFB, servicing the DoD Chief Information Officer (DoD CIO). As such, JITC is considered a national asset. Services that are provided include Test and Evaluation (T&E) Capabilities, Infrastructure, and Resources to support the DoD acquisition system.

== Locations ==

JITC facilities are strategically located at Fort Huachuca, Arizona; *Indian Head, Maryland (no longer active); and [[Fort George G. Meade]], Maryland. TheAn diverseadditional capabilityJITC ofmission eachused respectiveto ___locationexist allowsat the[[Indian armedHead, servicesMaryland]], tobut havewas accessclosed toin aDecember dynamic2016 environmentresulting for laboratoryin testing andmoving onsiteto fieldeither evaluationsFort Huachuca, Arizona or Fort Meade, Maryland.

*The JITC Indian Head Maryland mission was closed in December 2016 resulting in testing moved to Fort Huachuca, Arizona or Fort Meade, Maryland.

== External links ==

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<ref>{{cite web|title=About JITC|url=http://jitc.fhu.disa.mil/organization/aboutJitc/jitcAbout/index.aspx|website=JITC|accessdate=28 February 2015}}</ref>