After an illustrious 35-year career dedicated to the United States Army, Major General Peter Gallagher retired in a ceremony held at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, on May 25, 2021. Gallagher’s career is distinguished not only by his extensive service but also by his powerful mantra, “Find a way,” a phrase that encapsulates his leadership philosophy and his approach to overcoming challenges throughout his military journey. This simple yet profound statement served as a guiding principle for his teams, inspiring them to persevere and achieve mission success, regardless of the obstacles in their path.
Gallagher adopted “Find a way” after hearing it in the context of his son’s hockey team in 2007. He recognized its universal applicability, embedding it into the ethos of every unit he led. Whether it was establishing communication networks across the rugged terrain of Afghanistan, ensuring seamless communication between coalition forces, or maintaining the momentum of Army network modernization amidst the unprecedented challenges of a global pandemic, Gallagher and his teams consistently found a way.
General Michael Garrett, Commanding General of U.S. Forces Command, lauded Gallagher’s unwavering commitment during the retirement ceremony, stating, “He has served our nation with all his heart and soul for 35 years, and the Army will continue to thrive because of his legacy.” This legacy is built upon a foundation of dedicated service that began with Gallagher’s commissioning into the Signal Corps in 1986.
A Career of Service and Dedication
A Pittsburg, Kansas native, Peter Gallagher began his Army journey in the Signal Corps, establishing his early career roots at Fort Gordon, Georgia, alongside his wife, Donna. His career trajectory reflects a consistent rise through the ranks, commanding soldiers at every level from platoon to brigade and beyond, ultimately leading an Army direct reporting unit. His operational deployments are equally extensive, with multiple tours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Throughout these deployments, he was instrumental in providing critical communications support to both conventional and special operations forces across the globe.
One of Gallagher’s most significant contributions was in Afghanistan, where his expertise was crucial in developing the coalition tactical communications network. This pioneering network became a vital link, connecting 49 member nations and fostering unprecedented levels of international collaboration and communication in a complex operational environment. His work in this area showcased his ability to “find a way” to bridge technological and logistical gaps, enhancing the effectiveness of multinational operations.
Leading Network Modernization at Network CFT
In late 2017, Peter Gallagher assumed the pivotal role of the first Director of the Network Cross-Functional Team (CFT). This appointment, part of the establishment of Army Futures Command (AFC), placed him at the forefront of the Army’s network modernization strategy. Gallagher swiftly assembled a core team of experts and cultivated strong partnerships with various organizations, creating a collaborative environment focused on accelerating network advancements.
Under his leadership, the Network CFT prioritized addressing the most pressing communication gaps faced by operational forces. This involved aligning the Army network “team of teams” to expedite the transition of cutting-edge technologies from science and technology initiatives and industry innovations into practical Soldier-led experimentation, procurement, and field deployment. This streamlined approach was critical in ensuring that network modernization remained agile and responsive to evolving operational needs.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic presented unforeseen challenges, requiring significant adjustments to schedules, Soldier interactions, and testing protocols. However, true to his “Find a way” mantra, Gallagher’s team adapted, innovating to safely continue the DevOps cycle and maintain the rapid modernization trajectory. This resilience ensured that critical network advancements were not derailed by the global crisis.
Capability Sets and Network Advancement
A key achievement under Gallagher’s directorship was the implementation of Capability Set 21 (CS 21). Working in close collaboration with the Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications – Tactical (PEO C3T) and other Army network stakeholders, the CFT integrated advanced commercial components and network transport capabilities into the Army’s tactical network. This resulted in maneuver brigades and below being equipped with communications systems that were smaller, lighter, faster, more interoperable, and more flexible. Currently being fielded to select brigade combat teams, CS 21 represents a significant leap forward in expeditionary communications capabilities.
Gallagher himself acknowledged that CS 21 was not a perfect solution but emphasized its significant improvement over previous systems. He highlighted the enhanced expeditionary capabilities and the increased operational options afforded by these simpler, more advanced solutions. CS 21 is just the first in a series of planned upgrades, with Capability Set 23 (CS 23) and Capability Set 25 (CS 25) in the pipeline, each building upon the last and incorporating commercial solutions informed by Soldier feedback. These future capability sets promise to further extend network modernization to Stryker and armor formations, while also enhancing network capacity, resilience, convergence, automation, and protection.
A Legacy of Leadership
While Peter Gallagher’s career is marked by significant technological and strategic achievements, he emphasizes that his proudest accomplishment is the development of the teammates he has mentored and seen grow into leaders. For him, witnessing the professional growth of young men and women under his command has been the most rewarding aspect of his 35 years of service.
This commitment to leadership extends to his own family, with both of his sons, Matthew and Jacob, following in his footsteps to serve in the Army. Gallagher’s advice to those embarking on a military career is simple yet profound: trust your instincts, adhere to Army values, master your technical and tactical skills, maintain unwavering motivation, and be an exemplary teammate. He underscored the importance of teamwork, emphasizing the need to integrate diverse individuals into a cohesive unit, driven by a positive attitude. Peter Gallagher’s career exemplifies this philosophy, leaving behind a legacy of not only technological advancement but also of inspired leadership and unwavering dedication to “finding a way.”
