Who holds the position of the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation?

The position of the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation is indeed held by the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation. This role is crucial within the Department of Defense, as it is responsible for overseeing the evaluation of the effectiveness and suitability of defense systems before they are fielded. The director ensures that the testing is conducted in a rigorous manner and that the results are used to inform decisions on acquisition and operations.

The responsibilities assigned to this position include validating that new military capabilities meet the required operational standards and assessing the overall performance of systems in realistic operational environments. This ensures that the armed forces are equipped with reliable and effective systems, which is paramount for mission success.

In contrast, the other options pertain to different roles or positions that do not specifically handle operational test and evaluation. The Deputy Director of Defense may involve broader defense planning and resource allocation, while the Director of Tactical Operations relates to the execution of tactical missions rather than evaluation processes. The Director of Non-Lethal Operations, as the name implies, focuses specifically on non-lethal tactical equipment and operations, which again is distinct from operational test and evaluation responsibilities.