Gabe Camarillo
35th Under Secretary of the Army, DOD
Gabe Camarillo’s biggest recent achievement was managing a period of rapid transformation in the types of formations and warfighting capabilities the Army employs, and shifting how the Army buys and develops them, informed by industry best practices.
Over the last year, the Army released a new software modernization policy, announced plans to increase use of digital engineering tools, and re-focused attention on electronic warfare threats and capabilities based on lessons learned from Ukraine.
Why Watch
In 2024, Camarillo’s team is heavily focused on developing and proposing an Army budget that invests in critical areas such as counterdrone technologies, revised software modernization and C2 approaches, cutting edge weapon systems, and focused efforts to bolster military recruiting and improve quality of life for Army soldiers.
“It is an exciting time to drive transformational change in the Army,” Camarillo said. “Success in changing institutions as large and complex as the U.S. Army requires long-term focus matched with relentless emphasis on near-term gains, while cultivating a team oriented to common goals. We must succeed given the rapid pace of technological change and evolving threats.”
“Gabe has done a fantastic job as the Army’s chief operating officer and chief management officer, overseeing our $186 billion budget and workforce of over 1 million professionals,” said Christine E. Wormuth, the 25th secretary of the Army. “His leadership of our budgeting and planning processes for three annual cycles has fueled the most ambitious modernization and restructuring effort in the last 40 years, from industrial base reform to digital transformation. Despite a relatively flat budget, his expertise at navigating the complexities of competing requirements has been a driving force behind the Army’s ability to transform to meet the demands of a volatile and uncertain world.”
Fun fact: Before serving in various positions in national security, Camarillo had a career as a campaign finance lawyer and election law expert.