As Robert Miele assumed the responsibilities of executive director of the U.S. Army Operational Test Command, he joked the position fell in line right behind his dream job — head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.

“I’m really humbled and honored to be part of this great command,” Miele said.

During a ceremony Friday near the command’s West Fort Hood headquarters, Miele was welcomed into the unit as well as promoted to senior executive service — the federal civilian employee equivalent of a general officer or admiral.

He is the only senior executive service member at Fort Hood. Just as the command’s commander Brig. Gen. Scott Spellmon has a one-star general officer flag to fly at his events, Miele uncased an executive service flag of his own.

Miele, an engineer, joined the command from the U.S. Army Materiel Systems Analysis Activity at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.

The Operational Test Command plans, conducts and reports the results of rigorous operational tests, assessments and experiments in order to provide essential information for the acquisition and fielding of war-fighting systems.

Early in his career, Miele said he worked with the test command at Fort Bliss and was fascinated by its work in testing equipment with soldiers. Back then, he said he was a “young engineer who knew very little about the Army and nothing about OTC.”

“Twenty-two years later I’m actually here and it really means a lot to me. I’m really excited to be here,” he said.

Spellmon said it was an honor to host the promotion ceremony, the first ceremony of its kind to occur at Fort Hood since 2006.

“Thank you for your service and the important work you’ll do here for the U.S. Army,” Spellmon said.