WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Army is scouting large cities to find a home for a new command headquarters so it'll be close to academia and industry, a first for the service.

The Army typically likes to put its facilities away from population centers. The new command will focus on what the Army of the future should look like. The Army wants to be near experts in technology and innovation.  

It's close to picking the site.

Fifteen cities were in contention: Atlanta; Austin, Texas; Boston; Chicago; Dallas; Denver; Houston; Los Angeles; Minneapolis; New York; Philadelphia; Raleigh, North Carolina; San Diego; San Francisco; and Seattle.

Army officials chose finalists to visit but haven't announced which cities made the cut.

The site is expected to be announced by the end of June.