EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL TEAM · T he state of our Corps is strong! This is my assessment,...

Magazine Winter 2016Published by the United States Army Ordnance Corps Association in support of the Army Ordnance Corps personnel worldwide

TEAMYEAR

EXPLOSIVE

of the

ORDNANCE DISPOSAL

The state of our Corps is strong! This is my assessment, following nearly seven months of immersion and

travel across the Ordnance Corps. Our Ordnance mission is vital to build-

ing and sustaining combat readiness for our Army. In every component of the Total Force — Active, Army Reserve and Na-tional Guard—Ordnance professionals and special Ordnance teams are rebuild-ing, resetting, and re-training for our next mission.

In the short time since my arrival, I have visited many of the distributive Ordnance training centers of excellence, spanning

twenty-seven separate camps, posts and stations across our great United States of America. And I could not be more pleased with what I have seen and heard in my recent visits with leaders of the operating force. The Ordnance Soldiers and lead-ers we are growing are highly competent at their war-fighting trade; committed to the defense of our Nation and its people; and compelled by strong values and exceptional character. These Soldiers span the competencies of our Corps: ammunition, explosive ordnance disposal, ex-plosives safety and maintenance special-mission teams. They thrive every day in a world of com-plexity, and stand on freedom’s frontier ready to answer the call—the inevitable alert that will propel them to deploy, survive, fight and WIN against any enemy who threatens our way of life. We should all be proud of this new generation of men and women who answer our Nation’s call to serve. They are Ordnance Strong!

As I complete my initial assessment of the Corps, I recognize the importance of commu-nicating my priorities for the Corp’s future. My priorities are simple:

From the 39th Chief of OrdnanceBrigadier General Kurt Ryan

ANSWERING THE CALL FOR OVER 200 YEARS!

First, to train highly competent Ordnance Soldiers and develop Ordnance leaders that will integrate into the operating force to support and win the current fight.

Second, to strengthen the total force by help-ing our Army build and sustain levels of readi-ness—individual and collective capacity—across all components. Nearly 80% of our Corps resides in Army Reserve and National Guard formations, and all must be ready to rapidly mobilize, certify, deploy and execute their war-fighting functions. We are truly dependent on the total force to fight and win in a complex world.

Third, we must work to strengthen our ability to fully implement mission command concepts within our ranks. To lead Ordnance forces in the future, we must press beyond the strict con-straints of command and control thinking and

Greetings from the Home of Ordnance!

c o n t i n u e s o n p a g e 6

ORDNANCE

CORPSBrigadier General Kurt J. Ryan, 39th Chief of Ord-nance, engages with members of the 307th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team in their Tactical Operation Center at Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, Louisiana.

ORDNANCE MAGAZINE2 Winter 2016

CONTENTS PAGE

From the Chief of Ordnance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2by Brig . Gen . Kurt J . Ryan

From the Regimental Command Sergeant Major . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4by Command Sgt . Maj . Edward C . Morris

From the Regimental Chief Warrant Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5by Chief Warrant Officer Richard C . Myers, Jr .

From the President, Ordnance Corp Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8by Col . (Retired) Gregory A . Mason

Sea Dragons Provide Feedback to Ordnance CSM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10by Sgt . Kimberly Menzies — 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command Public Affairs

The Making of a Stryker Systems Maintainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 by Staff Sgt . Erickson Carpio and SFC Neagle Randy, Stryker Systems Maintainer Division

Ordnance Unveils New Exhibit: World War I—It Was a War of Ordnance . . . . . . 14by Claire Samuelson, Director, Ordnance Training & Heritage Center

The Ordnance Department at the Eve of War . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15by Karl Rubis, Ordnance School Historian

Chief of Staff Army Award for Maintenance Excellence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

New Instructor Badge Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21by Sgt . 1st Class Jeffrey M . Palmer, Instructor-Writer, Ordnance School

Kansas RTSM Celebrates the Ordnance Corps Birthday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24by SFC Harrison McWhorter

USASOAC Soldiers Win USAOAC BWC 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

The 2015 Explosive Ordnance Team of the Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31by Cpt Robert Hruska, Chief, Concepts, Capabilities, And Doctrine Division, Tradoc Capability Manager - EODby Sgt . 1st Class Aubree Davis — USASOC Public Affairs

EOD Directorate Transforms TRADOC Capabilities Manager-EOD . . . . . . . . . . . 34by Cpt Robert Hruska, Chief, Concepts, Capabilities, And Doctrine Division, Tradoc Capability Manager - EOD

Automatic Test System Modernizing for Army 2025 and Beyond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36by Daniel Moody, Combined Arms Support Command, Materiel Systems Directorate

Winter 2016

U.S. Army Ordnance Corps Association (OCA)

P.O. Box 5251 Fort Lee, Va. 23801

OCA Business Phone (804) 733-5596

FAX (804) 733-5599

www.usaocaweb.org

E-Mail [email protected]

[email protected]

Gift Shop (804) 733-5596

President Col. (Retired) Greg Mason

Executive Director Lt. Col. Michael B. McNeely

Association Director Chief Warrant Officer 5

(Retired) Joe Wurm

ORDNANCE Magazine (ISSN 1091-8159) is published by the US Army Ordnance Corps Association, a private organization dedicated to the preservation of the heritage and traditions of the US Army Ordnance Corps. Articles appearing in this publication do not necessarily reflect the position of the US Army Ord-nance Corps, the Department of the Army, or the Department of Defense. Material submitted for publication is subject to edit. Articles may be sent to: Editor, ORDNANCE Magazine, P.O. Box 377, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. 21005-0377 or via e-mail ad-dresses. For more information contact Mr. Joe Wurm (Chief Warrant Officer 5, Retired) at 410-272-8540; FAX 804-733-5599.Subscription Rates: Membership in the US Army Ordnance Corps Association includes a subscription to the ORDNANCE Magazine. For non-member persons and organizations subscriptions are $16.00 a year in the USA and its possessions, $34.00 a year, foreign.

on the coverStaff Sgt. Gideon Schwartz goes into “harm’s way” during the 2015 EOD Team of the Year competition, held Sept. 14-17, 2015 at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. (DOD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Jose A. Torres Jr., Soldiers, Defense Media Activity)

ORDNANCE MAGAZINEWinter 2016 3

Ordnance

mailto:usaoca%40usaocaweb.org?subject=

mailto:wurm.usaoca%40usaocaweb.org?subject=

From the Regimental Command Sergeant MajorCommand Sergeant Major Edward C. Morris

Greetings from the Home of the Ordnance Corps! Words can-not express how proud I am of

all the Soldiers in our Corps. Together, we have accomplished a lot over the past months and we will continue to do great things in the months ahead.

We recently conducted several State of the Ordnance Corps briefings at Cy-ber School, Fort Gordon, III Corps, Fort Hood and Joint Readiness Training Cen-ter, Fort Polk. We engaged the leaders and Soldiers at each installation in discussions about ongoing trends and leader develop-

ment opportunities. They were pleased to hear about our Ordnance Corps initiatives and how lessons learned from an operational perspective will assist the Ordnance Corps as TRADOC shapes the Army.

The Ordnance Corps is thrilled to welcome the first round of female NCOs in the three Mil-itary Occupational Specialties (MOSs) recently opened to female Soldiers: 91A (M1 Abrams Tank Systems Maintainer), 91M (Bradley Fighting Vehicle Systems Maintainer) and 91P (Artillery Systems Maintainer).

We recently participated in the quarterly FORSCOM G-4 video teleconference where members of our Professional Development Of-fice provided an update on Ordnance products such as the Command Maintenance Discipline Program (CMDP) website and resources for

— Go Ordnance! — Sustainment Starts Here! — Army Strong! — www.goordnance.army.mil/


Spc. Shantele Frie became the Army’s first female 91M Bradley Fighting Vehicle System Maintainer noncommissioned officer when she was promoted to sergeant during a ceremony held at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria, Dec. 1.

CSM Morris and members of the Ordnance Personnel Development Office with the Soldiers from the 1st Calvary Division at Fort Hood, Texas.


http://www.goordnance.army.mil

From the Regimental Chief Warrant OfficerChief Warrant Officer Richard C. Myers, Jr.

Greetings Team Ordnance! It has been nearly nine months since I assumed the role as Regimental

Chief Warrant Officer and I continue to be amazed at the tremendous talent filling the Ordnance warrant officer ranks. As I travel across your formations, I routinely hear from Commanders that our warrant offi-cers are invaluable assets to the teams they serve. I feel quite confident in saying that today’s Ordnance warrant officer is techni-cally competent, intelligent, focused, inno-vative, and committed just as much as any time in our history.

Allow me to offer my sincere congratulations to all selected for advancement by the recent Ac-tive and Reserve Components Warrant Officer Selection Boards. Promotions remain extremely competitive, and performance remains the key contributing factor to selection.

Not long ago the Chief of Staff of the Army (CSA) identified Readiness, Future Army, and Take Care of the Troops as his top three priori-ties. As Ordnance Soldiers we play an important role in ensuring the United States Army is pre-

pared for the current and future fight. Readiness is our business—both equipment and personnel. As you lead your sections, shops, and/or mainte-nance personnel I challenge you to consider the impact your actions have in building and sustain-ing readiness.

While building and sustaining readiness, the Army will undoubtedly see unprecedented change that requires forward thinking, technical and tactical leaders. Ordnance warrant officers have an opportunity to play a critical role in cap-turing and acting on important lessons learned and implementing change that strives to create effective, efficient sustainment operations. The success of future military campaigns much like those of the past are dependent upon a flexible, responsive, and adaptable sustainment system led by talented subject matter experts such as you. Our future will be marked by innovation,

— Go Ordnance! Support Starts Here! Army Strong! — www.goordnance.army.mil/


Ordnance Warrant Officers: Technical Experts in action!


http://www.goordnance.army.mil

develop trust and confidence within our force that supports flexible but disciplined initiative. We will work hard to lead and train the force to balance the art of command with the science of control in executing our war-fighting functions across mission command, sustainment and protection portfolios.

And last, I want to connect, or re-connect, every Ordnance professional back to the Corps. Regardless of rank or position, we as Ordnance profes-

General Ryan continues the discussion with one of the maintenance Warrant Officers on the way to the Brigade Maintenance shelter.

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 — From the 39th Chief of Ordnance

sionals must remain grounded in our Corps’ competencies. We must continue to self-develop on ‘all things Ordnance’ so we can truly be experts at our complex trade. We are our Nation’s “Armament for Peace” and as such, we must hone our skills each and every day to ensure we are ready to operate across the full range of military operations and act decisively in all we do! As Ordnance profession-als—officers, warrant officers and NCOs alike—we must continuously polish and perfect our leadership skills to effectively

lead and influence the nearly 90,000 members of our phenomenal Corps. I am counting on each and every one of you to help re-connect, and stay con-nected for life, to our Corps.

I am immensely proud of each and every one of you and I look forward to meeting you, and training with you, as I find my way to your organizations, classrooms or training and proving grounds. — GO ORDNANCE! Supports Starts Here! Army Strong!


growth, and unprecedented technological advancements. In order to remain competitive we must update our professional skills throughout our career and recognize our role in fully committing to the value of learning daily and not just while attending a Professional Military Education course. Our learning environment must be one that prepares us as thinking men and women who clearly understand the purpose behind the military operations in which we participate.

You can help the Army maintain the initiative and tackle readiness as a highly specialized expert officer, leader and trainer by maximizing every opportunity to prepare your Sol-diers to perform critical maintenance, ammunition, or MOS

C O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 5 — From the Regimental Chief Warrant Officer

finding classes at Regional Training Site-Maintenance (RTS-M) locations. The FORSCOM G-4 teleconference is an important venue which enables the Ordnance Corps to communicate rel-evant information and provide updates on our initiatives to all FORSCOM Sustainers.

C O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 4 — From the Regimental Command Sergeant Major

CSM Morris discussed Maintenance Operations with Soldiers and leaders during his Fort Polk visit.

In closing, to all the active and retired Officers, Noncommissioned Officers, Soldiers, Civilians and family members, Thanks for your continued support. Happy New Year. — GO ORDNANCE — Supports Starts Here!!

tasks. Don’t pass up an opportunity to teach, develop, and educate your subordinates on creative problem solving techniques that enable them to function in highly complex and dynamic environments as proficient maintainers and managers of the Army’s equipment. Our value as technical experts rests in our ability to enhance our organizations. Use that expertise to build and sustain materiel and per-sonnel readiness in a way that enables your commander to achieve unity of effort and mission success.

In closing, thank you for all you do. It is an honor to serve with and for you as your Regimental Chief Warrant Officer. — GO ORDNANCE!


Members of our ORDNANCE CORPS ASSOCIATION

Today, the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps Association

is more important than ever as our Corps continues to

decrease in size. The Association Director, Mr. Wurm,

and I work very closely with the Chief of Ordnance and

the Regimental Staff to stay plugged in to the needs of

the Corps. As I stated in my first article, my key ob-

jectives are growing our association and promoting the

professional and educational development of our mem-

bers. This professional development has at its hallmark

the mission of fostering and preserving, through educa-

tion and the scholarship programs, the spirit, traditions,

heritage, and history of the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps.

Our Association depends on individual and corporate

membership in order to thrive. At 1,363 individual mem-

bers (up 10%) and 28 corporate members, we still have

lots of room to grow. In the past, we had chapters in North

Carolina, Korea, Military District of Washington, Boston,

New York, Robert E. Rooner Chapter, and Ft Gordon. As

of today, Fort Gordon is the only active chapter. Our mem-

bership committee is trying to regain contact with previous

members so can revive those chapters. If you were a mem-

ber of one of these chapters and would like some assis-

tance to get it restarted, please contact us at 804-733-5596.

The more members and support that we have, the more we

increase our ability to provide more scholarships and sup-

port to our Soldiers and Families. Please let us know how

we can support you better!

Over the past several months, we have worked dili-

gently to build the executive council and association com-

mittees for the Association. In the previous years, CW5(R)

and Mrs. Wurm performed the functions of the council, the

committees, and operated the Ordnance Gift Shop. If it had

not been for the Wurms, our Association would have been

long gone. I want to publicly acknowledge and thank them

for their efforts. We have built a team that I am very con-

fident will help us grow the Association here at Fort Lee

and beyond. We are fortunate to have another great former

battalion commander Association Executive Director, LTC

Michael McNeely; Secretaries—CW4(R) Chester Morris;

SGM(R) Joseph Kirby; Membership/Incentive/Publicity

Committee — CW5(R) Larry Giles; Investments/Finance/

Budget Committee—CW4(R) Monty Meston; Program/

Chief Warrant Officer Five (Retired) Joe Wurm presents NCOs with the

LTG Levin Hicks Campbell, Jr. Distinguished Award

of Merit.


gofundme.com/ordmemorialfundgofundme.com/usaocaftlee

Educational Development/Special Events Committee—

Mrs. Gayle Olszyk, Ordnance Hall of Fame member. As

you can see, we have assembled a great team of volunteers

ready to strengthen the Corps; however, we still need your

support and recommendations on how to make the Asso-

ciation better.

We will be starting our campaign over the next few

months to solicit sponsorship for our annual golf tourna-

ment to be held on Thursday, 12 May 2016, at Fort Lee,

Virginia. We will use the proceeds from the golf tourna-

ment to support scholarships, support Ordnance Soldiers

and Families during the holidays and to continue to run the

Association. Please continue to visit the website or email

me or Mr. Wurm if you would like to be a supporter. The

Ordnance Memorial Foundation is almost five years old

now and continuing to grow. It is important that we don’t

forget the Ordnance Soldiers who have paid the ultimate

sacrifice since 9-11. If you would like to support the Ord-

nance Memorial Foundation or the Association, you can

visit either of the GoFundme sites: www.gofundme.com/

llihzg; www.gofundme.com/n4v0k4. You can also make

a donation by visiting www.usaocaweb.org or by calling

804-733-5596. We have already set up a foundation ac-

count and have already started taking donations towards

$185K goal. Don’t forget about the Ordnance Store locat-

ed on Ordnance Campus in Hatcher Hall and online. We

need your support!!!

We are also seeking ideas to commemorate the New

Home of Ordnance here on Fort Lee. If you anyone has

ideas, please contact me at [email protected].

Ideally, we would like to have the print drawn and ready

for issue by the Ordnance Corps’ birthday in May 2016.

The Ordnance Corp Association takes great pride in

supporting our Ordnance Corps, its Soldiers, Civilians,

and their Families. From awarding scholarships, to help-

ing Families during the holidays, to our outstanding recog-

nition programs, we continue to keep our heritage strong.

Thank you for helping me support our great Ordnance

Americans — GO ORDNANCE!

Serving proudly,Gregory A. MasonColonel, U.S. Army (Retired)President, Ordnance Corps Association

• HELP

• DO

NATE • HELP •

DO

NA

TE

•

• HELP

• DO

NATE • HELP •

DO

NA

TE

•


http://gofundme.com/ordmemorialfund

gofundme.com/usaocaftlee

www.gofundme.com/llihzg

www.gofundme.com/llihzg

https://www.gofundme.com/n4v0k4

http://www.usaocaweb.org

mailto:

“I am here to listen to any issues and concerns that you, as Ordnance Soldiers, are experiencing, in order to do my part to help make improvements,” said Morris, when interacting with the Soldiers.

The visit was an opportunity for those within the Ordnance military occupational specialty to provide direct and personal feedback to the senior enlisted leadership within their field.

“We were able to discuss real issues that we are facing in our field,” said Spc. Nathan Hopf, a wheeled vehicle mechanic with Headquarters and Headquarters Bat-tery, 94th AAMDC and native of Torrance, Calif. “We discussed everything from how hard it can be to get parts, lack of equipment and the lack of man-power which makes it difficult to accomplish the mission.”

“This was an opportunity for Soldiers in the Ordnance career field to have a voice,” continued Hopf.

During the visit Soldiers also discussed opportunities for personal development and career progression.

“It was helpful to hear about the various tools that are available to us to be able to progress as a Soldier in this field,” shared Hopf. “A big discussion point was men-torship, having experienced Soldiers share their knowledge with the junior Soldiers is something I have been grateful to have provided to me from my leaders here.”

Many Soldiers appreciated the visit be-cause it highlighted the importance that all Soldiers play in completing the mission.

“Visits that include senior leadership addressing Soldiers and personally field-

Sgt. Kimberly Menzies — 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command Public Affairs

ing their questions is really beneficial for low density MOSs, especially with the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, because it demonstrates that commanders care about all our Soldiers equally, not just air defenders,” said Sgt. Maj. Kelvin Tomlinson, the 94th AAMDC Logistics Sergeant Major.

“Many times it feels like maintenance Soldiers are forgotten about or we com-pletely operate in the background,” said Hopf. “Being able to talk to Command Sgt. Maj. Morris and Sgt. Maj. Canada re-ally made me feel appreciated. Their visit definitely reinforced the importance and relevance of our jobs.”

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Edward C. Morris, the Ordnance Regimental Command Sergeant Major, recognizes Spc. Nathan Hopf, a wheeled vehicle mechanic with Headquarters and Head-quarters Battery, 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, and native of Torrance, Calif., for his dedication to excellence in his field, July 21, 2015, during a visit at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Kimberly K. Menzies, 94th Army Air and Mis-sile Defense Command Public Affairs)

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii—U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Edward C.

Morris, the ordnance regimental command sergeant major, and Sgt. Maj. Gene E. Canada, the

Ordnance Chief Enlisted Career Manager in the Personnel Development Office, met with the

94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command ordnance Soldiers, July 21, 2015, at Joint Base

Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

Sea Dragons Provide Feedback To Ordnance CSM


The Making of a STryker SySTeMS MainTainer

The Stryker Systems Maintainer officially became an MOS in October 2011. In the past, selected Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic, 91B were given an additional four weeks of

Stryker training to earn the R4 Additional Skill Identifier (ASI) to help categorize these Soldiers. The 91B with an ASI of R4 was capable of maintaining the automotive portion of the Stryker while MOS 91C (Utilities Equipment Repairer) maintained the air conditioning system and the 91K (Armament Repairer) maintained the armament systems. The 91S was created with the purpose of combining all three MOS to maintain a Stryker.

Soldiers must successfully complete 17 weeks of technical training at the Stryker Systems Maintainer Division at Fort Lee, Virginia to earn the MOS of 91S. Their education is trusted to the best Noncommissioned Officers the United States Army has to

Stryker Systems Maintainer (91S) Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) requires proficiency in a highly

specialized skill set. To prepare these Soldiers for their mission, the United States Army has created a

three phase Professional Development Program unique to this MOS.

offer. The Program of Instruction (POI) dictates a 1 to 4 Instruc-tor to Student ratio while training on the live Stryker platforms or technology in Training Aids, Devices, Simulators and Simula-tions (TADSS). Every year, approximately 300 Soldiers will graduate this course and are assigned to support the warfighters.

The Stryker Systems Maintainer Skill Based Training (SBT) concept is an intensive Three Phase professional development strategy. It begins with a CRAWL phase—working on a com-puter based program that provides easy entry into the skills and concepts being taught. Soldiers quickly reap the benefits of early successes in this phase. The Desk Top Trainer (DTT) laboratory provides an in-depth understanding of where every component of the Stryker are located. Soldiers begin to visually identify the complicated systems of the Stryker. The DTT also allows instruc-

The Desk Top Trainer (DTT) is a tool that is used for a Soldier to learn troubleshooting and identifying components.

by Staff Sgt. Erickson Carpio and SFC Neagle Randy, Platoon Sergeant, Stryker Systems Maintainer Division


tors to demonstrate a task on a projector while allowing the Soldiers to follow along on their own screens. This training regimen allows the students to familiarize themselves with every component of the Stryker and maintenance tasks.

The Instructor provides the students with an Enabling Learning Objective, ELO, this provides the students with a clear and concise expectation of their task and performance. Since the DTT labora-tory has the ability to do both mainte-nance and troubleshooting tasks, Soldiers learn to do actual tasks sequentially and successfully.

The second phase—WALK—elevates expectations as Soldiers move to a hands-

on challenge with a simulated Stryker. Soldiers learn to troubleshoot, replace defective components, and finally verify their repairs. The instructors remain engaged with the Soldiers to ensure they are progressing on course with as-signed tasks. This hands on environment reinforces the skills learned in the crawl phase and the students quickly begin to assimilate the conceptual technique with the actual maintenance task. By the time the Soldiers complete the walk phase, they have mastered many of the maintenance tasks and have progressed as Stryker Systems Maintainer.

The third phase—RUN—allows Soldiers the experience of practical ap-

PVT Ooms and PVT Watts maintain the brakes system with the supervision of SSG Henderson. — Photo by SSG Erickson Carpio

plication of their newly acquired skills. They have the confidence to adapt their new skills to meet goals and to complete tasks. At this phase, Soldiers are trouble-shooting and doing maintenance on live Stryker vehicles with minimal guidance from their Instructors. The ultimate goal is for each Soldier to have the skill set and confidence to be a contributing asset to their gaining unit. Upon arrival to their first unit assignment each Soldiers has the knowledge and skill sets to perform all critical tasks associated with the Stryker platforms that were taught in the school-house and are now ready to perform apprentice level maintenance tasks. As time passes, Soldiers will acquire advance


Soldiers remove an engine during E Mod while closely monitored by SSG Diepeveen. — Photo by SSG Erickson Carpio

skills to maintain the Stryker fleet from their peers and supervisors and ultimately return to the schoolhouse for 91S30 level training. We know time is always of the essence when in combat a Stryker platform becomes non mission capable so rest assured we are doing our very best in the schoolhouse to ensure that downtime

is minimal by providing good quality training to each 91S10 Soldier.

The crawl, walk, and run strategy is a dependable approach to training that the United States Army Ordnance School uses effectively and efficiently. It is vital to our training that each of you provide us feedback as often as you can so we can

modify, change or add to our maintenance training so we get it right! With the 91S10 course we think we have it about right. We can always do better so please provide us your feedback so that we can better support our Operational Army re-quirements. Hooah and Go Ordnance!

Sources:Dempsey, Martin E., GEN, Army Learning Concept 2015. TRADOC Pamphlet 525-8-2. Fort Monroe, Virginia. 20 January 2011. Page i.6PBy: SSG Erickson Carpio, Student Control/Test Control, Stryker Systems Maintainer Division

General Dempsey stated on the Army Learning Concept 2015 that “we live in a much more competitive security environment. This means that we have to learn faster and better than our future adversaries.”

— General Martin E. Dempsey. Army Learning Concept 2015.

TRADOC Pamphlet 525-8-2. Fort Monroe, Virginia. 20 January 2011.


On 01 October 2015, the Ordnance Training & Heritage Center (OT&HC) unveiled a World War I exhibit in Hatcher Hall high bay on Ordnance campus. The gallery features artifacts that embody the struggles and strengths of the Ordnance Department as America entered the Great War. In addition to training Ordnance Soldiers and Marines on the accomplishments of the Ordnance Department during the WWI years, this exhibit is also geared to be relevant to several current Military Occupation Specialties. There are historical examples throughout the exhibit that emphasize experimental items and general advance-ments in numerous arenas that are appli-cable for today’s Ordnance officer areas of concentration and warrant officer and enlisted specialties.

The exhibit, It Was a War of Ordnance, is a culmination of efforts between the OT&HC, the Ordnance Ar-mament & Electronics (A&E) Training Department and the Center of Military History (CMH). The A&E Department made the exhibit possible by clearing a high bay in their training area to accom-

ORDNANCE UNVEILS NEW EXHIBITWorld War I–

It was a War of OrdnanceBy Claire Samuelson, Director, Ordnance Training & Heritage Center

modate the vision of a WWI display. CMH supported the OT&HC by funding the movement of the macro artifacts into the high bay space.

Among the Ordnance artifacts are the one-of-a-kind Skeleton Tank that was tested by the Ordnance Department just prior to cessation of hostilities. The Skel-eton was voted one of Virginia’s Top ten Endangered Artifacts in 2014. Several items belonging to SGT Shirley Day are also on exhibit. SGT Day enlisted in the Army in 1917 and as a member of the Ordnance Department performed salvage duties of disarming and rendering live ammunition inert. His Model 1917 tunic, ditty bag and unusual chevron are showcased. Numerous items used by Ordnance Lieutenant J. P. Hargis of the 5th Trench Mortar Company are also displayed. Two rare experimental items that will also be unveiled are a Bashford Dean 1917 American Helmet Model No. 2 and a blowback submachine gun with a turret capable of firing ten clips of .45 caliber bullets.

The unveiling was hosted by Chief of Ordnance BG Kurt Ryan.


Ordnance Department

In her seminal work on the Ordnance Department in World War II, The Ordnance Department: Planning Munitions for War, Ordnance historian Constance M. Green aptly described the operating culture and environment of department leadership in the years preceding World War I. It is a description of competence, but self-satisfaction with the status quo. The following brief excerpt reveals the lack of appreciation for the scale and scope of the war that the U.S. was about to enter and the fundamental changes it would bring to the Ordnance Department.

BY KARL RUBIS, ORDNANCE SCHOOL HISTORIAN

at the

Eve of World War I

the

Sandy Hook Proving Ground, circa 1910. Sandy Hook, established in 1874, served as the only Army Proving Ground until WWI. With the U.S. entry into WWI, it became apparent that a much larger proving ground was necessary for the testing of modern ordnance. Aberdeen Proving Ground was established in November 1917.


“The Ordnance Department enjoyed wide public confidence during its first hundred years. Occasional criticisms of American military equipment were usually forgotten as soon as the Ordnance Department had remedied a

particular weakness. As American industrial genius began to emerge just before mid-century, America’s faith in its own capacities, military and other, began to grow. Belief that American ordnance was equal to any demands that might be made upon it encour-aged an unconcern over European munitions developments. What matter that foreign powers adopted machine guns a decade before the United States? If this country lagged behind a little in one field or another, when need arose American ingenuity could be counted on to overcome the handicap quickly. Entrenched on the North American con-tinent with a friendly neighbor to the north and relatively feeble, even if troublesome,

BG William Crozier, Chief of Ordnance (1901-1918), was selected by President Theodore Roosevelt to be Chief of Ordnance due to Crozier’s reputation as an innovator with new ideas.

neighbors to the south, the United States felt no call to devote thought and money to making instruments of war. National energies were directed toward exploiting the natural resources of the continent and building up industrial might for peaceful ends. The Army had always fought through to victory in the past, so Americans reasoned, and, were ill chance to plunge the country into another war, again American arms would triumph. No one was troubled about deficiencies in American ordnance.

When war broke out on the continent of Europe in 1914, the American public refused to consider the possibility of United States involvement. The Ord-nance Department in the preceding decades had developed orderly routines for supply of the small standing Army and as late as the fall of 1916 gave few signs of alarm at having the Congress make only moderate increases in ap-propriations. In fact, not the Congress, but the Chief of Ordnance himself in the prewar years recommended reduction of proposed appropriations for some items of equipment. The Chief of Ordnance, Brig. Gen. William B. Crozier, included in his annual reports for 1915 and 1916 recommendations based upon observa-tion of the form the war in Europe was taking, particularly urging the need of more powerful artillery and armored motor cars. He protested the continued insistence of Congress that government arsenals manufacture practically all ord-nance material unless private concerns could compete on price, a condition rarely realizable; he pointed out that pur-suit of this policy would delay expansion of manufacturing capacity badly needed in any future emergency. But he found reassurance in the number of American manufacturers that had undertaken large orders for munitions for European governments, although he recognized that plants set up to make foreign models could not immediately produce Ameri-can arms and ammunition. “The time required for an unprepared adaptation of this kind is sometimes surprising, and in case of emergency would be seri-


1 Constance M. Green, ed. The Ordnance Depart-ment: Planning Munitions for War . Washington D.C., U.S. Government Printing Office, 1955. This book is the first volume of three chronicling the Ordnance Department in World War II; part of the famed Green Books (due to the color of their binding) published by the Center for Military History. The other two volumes are The Ordnance Department: Procurement and Supply (1960), eds. Harry C. Thomson and Lida Mayo and The Ordnance Department: On Beachhead and Battlefront (1968) by Lida Mayo.

endnotes

ous.” Still, planning was unhurried. New designs for field and seacoast gun carriages were begun in 1916 and that summer, in order to equip and train militia the use of machine guns, the War Department bought a few Lewis guns to supplement the meagre supply in the hands of troops on the Mexican border. Yet little more than six months before the United States was to declare war upon a major military power, the Department was just reaching a decision about how to spend the newly appropriated $12,000,000 earmarked for procurement of machine guns.

Before 1918 determination of design and types of weapons for the United States Army lay chiefly with Ordnance officers. Although an Engineer officer, a Signal Corps officer, and usu-ally both a Coast Artillery and a Field Artillery officer served on the Board of Ordnance and Fortification and so outnumbered the one Ordnance member, the Ordnance Department itself dominated this body whose recommendation was virtually fiat. Indeed, the authority exercised by the Chief of Ordnance over decisions as to what weapons the U.S. army should have seems to have grown during General Crozier’s regime. In the summer of 1901 the board had protested to the Secretary of War the Ordnance department’s arrogation unto itself of the authority and functions vested by law in the board. The Secretary of war apparently ignored the complaint. In December General Crozier, newly appointed Chief of Ordnance, won a skirmish over the question of Ordnance Department power to direct field gun tests. The rest of the board ha to back down when Crozier presented a message for the Secretary of War declaring that it was his intention “to have the test of field guns conducted by the Ordnance Department, through the instrumentality of Ordnance officers by the methods of the Ordnance Department, and at the Ordnance Department’s place.” Thereafter General Crozier, triply fortified by his position as Chief of Ordnance, by his recognized stature as an engineer, and by his contributions in the field of artillery design, went through the motions of deferring to the board and of heeding reports of special Artillery committees or of Infantry Board members. But, Ordnance Department influ-ence was paramount. Crozier believed that the technician new

best what combat troops required. While occasionally the Secre-tary of War appointed special boards to pas upon the respective merits of models offered by rival inventors, ordinarily the ser-vices had little say about what equipment they would fight with. The Infantry could request a more effective service revolver, the Artillery longer range guns, the Cavalry improved saddles and holsters. But not until the 1920’s were the using arms to play a primary part in determining military characteristics desire or in judging which model best met requirements.

The fact of the military unpreparedness of the United States in the spring of 1917 is familiar to all the generation that lived through that era and to all students of its history. The steps belatedly taken to overcome the shortages of trained men and equipment are less well known. Decision to adopt French artil-lery design I order to speed procurement for the U.S. Army was made before the Ordnance Department discovered the inescap-able problems of adapting French drawings to American manu-facturing processes. Locating facilities to produce more familiar items such as propellants, rifles, and pistols, was accomplished more successfully. The first and continuing difficulty was find-ing enough men competent to cope with the task.”1

U.S. Army Colonel Isaac Newton Lewis invented the Lewis machine gun in 1911. The Ordnance Department obstructed wide-scale purchase of the weapon, supposedly due to personality conflicts between the inventor and the Chief of Ordnance, BG Crozier. In WWI, the U.S. Army was heavily reliant upon French and British machine guns to equip U.S. forces.


CHIEF OF STAFFArmy Award for

Maintenance Excellence

Twelve members receive the AAME on behalf of their units at the 2015 Combined Logistics Excellence Awards (CLEA) ceremony on 10 June 2015 at the Pentagon. Presenting the awards are GEN Raymond T. Odierno, Chief of Staff of the Army; LTG Gustave F. Perna, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4; and CW5 Richard Myers, Regimental Chief Warrant Officer.

AAME

L-R : Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, Chief of Staff of the Army; Lt. Gen. Gustave F. Perna, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4; Sgt. Dashields, 7th Joint Multinational Training Command, Grafenwoehr, Germany; and CW5 Richard Myers, Regimental Chief Warrant Officer. — Photo by David Vergun.

FY14 AAME Best of the BestFY14 AAME Best of the Best

AAMEORDNANCE MAGAZINE18 Winter 2016

AAMEThe Chief of Staff, Army Award for Maintenance Excellence (AAME) Program is conducted each year to recognize Army units and/or activities that have demonstrated excellence in maintenance operations.

L-R : Gen. Odierno, Chief of Staff of the Army; Mr. Parsons—All Others—Tank Automotive Command/Field Maintenance Expansion, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Cpt. Warren—Army National Guard, MTOE Small—Forward Support Company, 527th Engineer Battalion, Ruston, Louisiana; Cpt. Wilson —Active Army, MTOE Medium—Maintenance Company, Group Support Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Carson, Colorado; Col. Grubbs—For Active Army, Depot Level—Red River Army Depot, Texarkana, Texas; Sgt. Dashields—Active Army, TDA—7th Joint Multinational Training Command, Grafenwoehr, Germany; Sgt. Sanchez—Active Army, MTOE Small—2nd Military Intelligence Battalion, 66th Military Intelligence Brigade, Wi-esbaden, Germany; CW3 Ross—Army Reserve, MTOE Medium—301st Military Intelligence Battalion, Phoenix, Arizona; Sgt. Cruz—Active Army, MTOE, Aviation—the 1st Military Intelligence Battalion (Aerial Exploitation), 66th Military Intelligence Brigade, Wiesbaden, Germany; CW3 Petsche—For Army National Guard, MTOE Medium—1075th Medium Truck Company, 734th Transportation Battalion, Columbus, Nebraska; Spc. Steele—Active Army, MTOE Large—24th Military Intelligence Battalion, 66th Military Intelligence Brigade, Wiesbaden, Germany; Ltc. McCoy—Army National Guard, TDA - Combined Support Maintenance Site Louisiana, Pineville, Louisiana; Mr. Butler - Army Reserve, TDA - Equipment Concentration Site #125 (Ground), Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Lt. Gen. Perna, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4; CW5 Myers, Regimental Chief Warrant Officer. — Photo by David Vergun.

FY14 AAME WinnersFY14 AAME Winners


w Recognizes exceptional maintenance accomplishments and initiatives

w Ensures the best units compete

w Promotes competition at ACOM, ASCC, DRU, and DOD levels

Why is the AAME Important?w Improves and sustains field maintenance readiness

w Assesses the maintenance component for unit readiness

w Improves efficiency and reduces waste

w 10-12 Member Panel

w Evaluates Unit Packets

w Determines Semi-Finalists

w On-Site Team Evaluations

w Evaluates Semi-finalists Winners

w Winners participate in the CLEA

What are you waiting for?

Evaluation Process

The AAME was established in 1982 by the Department of the Army to recognize exceptional accomplishment in maintenance and provide added incentive to the competitive programs of Major Army Commands. Active TOE, Army National Guard TOE, Army Reserve TOE, DOL’s, and TDA units compete

History of AAMEHistory of AAMEseparately, and the competition in each component is divided into three categories: Small, Medium and Large, based on number of authorized personnel. The Program aligns with the Department of Defense Awards Program and winners are considered for Secretary of Defense Maintenance Awards.

Phase I Phase II

How do I Compete?w Unit Develops Nomination Packet (follow current ALARACT) w Submits packet through their ACOM, ASCC, or DRU

More information at GoOrdnance.army.mil/AAME/aame.html


http://www.GoOrdnance.army.mil/AAME/aame.html

The Instructor Development and Rec-ognition Program (IDRP) was initially unveiled in 2013 as an incentive for noncommissioned officers to strive for instructor positions at NCO academies. The commonly held belief was that it would not only help NCOAs recruit the best qualified NCOs to become instruc-tors, but also evolve to become an ideal incentive program for other schools try-ing to attract top-quality troops to their teaching platforms.

Adam Jenkins, a master instructor at the Ord. School with more than eight years of experience, said the IDRP is a

New INstructor Badge Program

way to re-invest in the institution while improving the skills of students.

“Every NCO will complete the mis-sion regardless of a reward or not, but the instructor development recognition pro-gram aims to make the product better,” he said. “Why not make available a recruit-ing tool to help attract the best qualified NCO to the school and help Soldiers be the best they can be?”

One of the biggest changes in the tran-sition is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2016. That’s when the schoolhouse will start converting current instructor badges to the new Army-approved instructor

badges. There are four levels of qualifica-tion current ordnance instructors can earn —associate, instructor, senior instructor and master instructor.

Under the new IDRP, only three levels are attainable—instructor, senior instruc-tor and master instructor.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR CURRENT ORDNANCE INSTRUCTORS?

There will be a cross-level switch from badges being worn currently to an Army instructor badge equivalent. For instance, those who have earned the Ordnance Se-nior Instructor Badge will be awarded

FORT LEE, Va. (Sept. 17, 2015) — The Ordnance School recently closed the

book on the 39-year-old Instructor Development Program. It was one of the first

decisions made by the new Chief of Ordnance Brig. Gen. Kurt J. Ryan when he

recently assumed command of the regiment, subsequently adopting the Army’s

new Instructor Development and Recognition Program as a replacement.

Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey M. Palmer, Instructor-Writer, Ordnance School

Aims to Attract, Produce Top Trainers


the Army’s Senior Instructor Badge. As a requirement, all current instructors must complete the Instructional Design Basic Course found on the Army Learning Man-agement website. This is designed to be a straightforward, simple process, provid-ing the required documents are submitted.

Those who currently hold Associate Instructor Badges will not be awarded a badge under the new program and will have to start off at the beginning level of

IDRP. Civilian instructors will continue to wear their Ordnance Instructor Badges and not the Army’s IDRP as it only ap-plies to military instructors at this time.

While considering the conversion from the old badge system to the new, there were many talks with Training and Doc-trine Command. It was apparent a suspen-sion of the current system would need to take place, but the dates it would happen were not known. Suspension allowed all

instructors the opportunity to fulfill re-quirements to convert their current badge or get a new one as well as provide the Training Management Office ample time to gather all required documentation to ensure all instructors will be awarded the appropriate badge.

Ordnance suspended the program on July 28 to ensure a smooth implementa-tion. This is not as simple as just remov-ing one badge and putting on another. The

Staff Sgt. Bane Kraft, an Ordnance School instructor, guides Soldiers during the process of selecting the proper rigging equipment using the latest vehicle recovery systems. The instruction is part of the advanced individual training that takes place at the Downer Complex located in the northern area of the installation. photo credit: T. Anthony Bell


TMO, responsible for the administrative implementation, worked through the vari-ous staffing actions required to push the program forward.

Time needed to be allotted for certain personnel to complete schooling, conduct coordination efforts at all levels from di-visions to departments, rewrite ordnance regulations to support the new IDRP, de-velop a new instructor observation form and get approval from TRADOC to move ahead with full implementation. The pro-jected timeline for full implementation is March 1, 2016.

WHAT IS REQUIRED TO EARN THE ARMY’S INSTRUCTOR BADGES?

According to TRADOC Regulation 600-21 and current guidance, recipients must pass the Army Physical Fitness Test, fulfill the requirements of Army Regula-tion 600-9, and meet minimum require-ments set forth in AR 614-200.

Additionally, NCOs must complete the Foundation Facilitator Course or equivalent, Cadre Training Course, 80 or more hours of primary instruction time, and have two observations completed on an approved rubric not less than 30

Adam Jenkins, master instructor, said wearing the badge should not overshadow the substance it

represents and that “It isn’t just about a piece of metal attached to a uniform or a one-up on a fellow

NCO. Most NCOs recognize excellence, they recognize an accomplishment and they recognize the

need to do the best they can,” he said. “This is a measuring tool for all instructors and potential

instructors. This will allow leadership to gauge personnel and place emphasis back in the schoolhouse

on the quality of their instructors versus just accomplishing the mission.

“This program not only benefits NCOs who come and excel at the schoolhouse,” Jenkins concluded,

“but also but will help develop an instructional atmosphere that breeds the best qualified and trained

ordnance Soldiers the Army has ever received from an organization that demands nothing less.”

days apart. Senior instructors must com-plete the Foundation Training Developer Course or equivalent, Intermediate Facili-tations Skills Course, Instructional Design Basic Course, attain 400 or more hours of primary Instruction time and have two observations completed on an approved rubric not less than 30 days apart. They also must design a course/lesson and earn a score of at least 80 percent on the rubric found in TRADOC Regulation 600-21.

Master instructors must attend the Ad-vanced Facilitators Course, Evaluating Instructor Workshop, accumulate at least

400 hours of primary instruction time, and be recommended and selected by the Master Instructor Selection Board.

Most instructors arriving after the full implementation and who fulfill a three-year tour will be capable of attaining instructor and possibly senior instructor status within their first TRADOC tour. Master instructor status, however, will likely be attained during a second TRA-DOC tour of duty.

WHY IS THE NEW INSTRUCTOR PROGRAM AN IMPORTANT MOVE FOR THE FUTURE OF THE ORD. SCHOOL?

The reasons vary, but most critical is the urgent need to get the best qualified and trained Soldiers to their first duty stations, said Jenkins. Providing the best training, resources and instruction avail-able is the only way the goal is achieved; all of this starts with investing in the in-

structors. Rewarding those responsible for training military personnel is not just a one-fold move; recognizing every Sol-dier through this program is a benefit to each student who undergoes training at the schoolhouse because it instills a sense of pride and worth.

Accordingly, Jenkins said wearing the badge should not overshadow the sub-stance it represents.


by SFC Harrison McWhorter

KANSAS RTS-M CELEBRATES THE

ORDNANACE CORPS BIRTHDAY

Chief of Ordnance History Wall Display


The Regional Training Site-Maintenance (RTS-M) located in Salina, Kansas celebrated the 203rd

Birthday of the United States Army Ordnance Corps on 14 May 2015, with the induction of

select Instructors and staff members into the “Ordnance Order of Samuel Sharpe.”1 The purpose

of the Ordnance Order of Samuel Sharpe is to recognize those individuals who have served the

United States Army Ordnance Corps with demonstrated integrity, moral character and professional

competence over a sustained period of time and whose selfless contributions to the Corps stand

out in the eyes of their seniors, peers and subordinates alike.

CW4 (Ret) Ron Mullinax (retired Ordnance Warrant Officer) presents his Son MAJ Mark Mullinax (current RTS-M Commander) with the Ordnance Order of Samuel Sharpe


Those inducted into the Order were, MAJ Mark Mullinax; Commander of the RTS-M, CW3 Brent Campbell; Se-nior Instructor and Fulltime Officer-in-Charge (OIC), MSG John Duerr; Chief Instructor, SFC Chuck Russell; Instruc-tor, SFC Morton Griggs; Instructor, SFC Jay Strickland; Instructor and SFC Ranie Ruthig; Instructor.

The RTS-M also recognized two spouses by awarding them the “Keeper of the Flame”.2 The purpose of the Ord-

nance Corps Association’s Keeper of the Flame award is to recognize and show our appreciation for the invaluable service Ordnance spouses provide to our Corps. Those awarded were Amy Campbell wife of CW3 Campbell and the late Debra Mc-Intyre wife of SFC Griggs.

The RTS-M also celebrated the Ord-nance Corps Birthday with an unveiling of multiple items for the units’ Ordnance Corp History Wall Project. The wall dis-plays the history and progression of the Ordnance Corp from the early design of

Chronology of the Ordnance Shell and Flame

“The wall will document our history by identifying all of our previous unit members and serve as a learning tool for all stu-dents who attend training at our organization.”— CW3 Brent Campbell

the “Shell and Flame” to its current de-sign. The wall also depicts numerous framed images which include the Ord-nance Corps Shield, Flag, Crest, Creed, Prayer, Song and the Corps Association Awards. Additionally the wall will chron-icle the history of the RTS–M in Salina, KS. CW3 Campbell said “the wall will document our history by identifying all of our previous unit members and serve as a learning tool for all students who attend training at our organization.”

1 U.S. ARMY ORDNANCE CORPS ASSOCIATION http://www.usaocaweb.org/awardsCriteriaSamuelSharpe.htm2 U.S. ARMY ORDNANCE CORPS ASSOCIATION http://www.usaocaweb.org/awardsCriteriaKeeperFlame.htm


Mrs. Diane Mullinax (Spouse of CW4 (Ret) Mullinax) presents the Keeper of the Flame to Mrs. Amy Campbell (Spouse of CW3 Campbell)

Ordnance Corps Branch Insignia and Crest History Wall Display

Ordnance Corps Armament Shield

with Song, Prayer, Colors and Creed

History Wall Display

Ordnance Corps Association Awards History Wall Display

Ordnance Corps Flag and Plaque

History Wall Display


“What impressed me about this year’s competition the most is the Soldier’s love for service,” said Command Sgt. Maj. George Bequer, USASOC command ser-geant major. “This competition is about Warrior Tasks. At the end it’s the NCO’s responsibility and the Soldier’s responsi-bility to carry out orders; it’s about train-ing, it’s about combat tasks, it’s about shoot, move and communicate.”

Cabebe, a radio and communications repair NCO, has served 11 years in the military and serves as a combat skills

Sgt. 1st Class Aubree Davis — USASOC Public Affairs

USASOAC Soldiers Win USASOC BWC 2015

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, June 12, 2015) The U.S. Army

Special Operations Command announced the winners of this year’s Noncommis-

sioned Officer and Soldier of the Year during a ceremony concluding USASOC’s

2015 Best Warrior Competition, June 12.

This year’s NCO of the Year,

Staff Sgt. Rodney O. Cabebe,

and Soldier of the Year, Spc.

Emanuel L. Moore are from

U.S Army Special Operations

Aviation Command.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Rodney O. Cabebe (left) and Spc. Emanuel L Moore, U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command, demonstrate their Army knowledge during the Army Warrior Tasks portion of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) Best Warrior Competition, June 10, 2015, Ft. Bragg, N.C. The Best Warrior Competition determines the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) and Soldier that will represent USASOC and compete at the Army level for NCO and Soldier of the year. — U.S. Army photo by Spc. David M. Shefchuk


instructor for the Army’s only Special Operations Aviation Training Battalion, Fort Campbell, Ky.

Moore, a radio and communications repair specialist, has served in the mili-tary for 18 months and is assigned to 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Fort Campbell, Ky.

“It truly is an honor and I look for-ward to competing at the Department of the Army level,” said Moore.

The runner-up for NCO of the Year was Sgt. Robert A. Love, 75th Ranger Regiment. The runner-up for Soldier of the Year was Spc. Alexander W. Van Me-ter, 75th Ranger Regiment.

This year’s USASOC Best Warrior Competition, which started on June 8, featured representatives from four sub-ordinate commands within Army Spe-cial Operations Forces. The competitors where judged on the following events:

U.S. Army Staff Sgt Rodney O. Cabebe (left) and Spc. Emanuel L Moore, U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command, drag a simulated casu-alty during the Army Warrior Tasks portion of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) Best Warrior Competition, June 10, 2015, Ft. Bragg, N.C. The Best Warrior Competition determines the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) and Soldier that will represent USASOC and compete at the Army level for NCO and Soldier of the year. — U.S. Army photo by Spc. David M. Shefchuk.

written essay and general Army subjects exam, The Army Physical Fitness Test, a stress fire range, day and night land navi-gation, combatives, Army Warrior Tasks testing, and concluded with a military board featuring a panel of sergeants ma-jor from across the command.

“Every one of [these Soldiers] repre-sents the traits of the ARSOF Soldier,” said Lt. Gen. Charles T. Cleveland, com-manding general for USASOC.


The NCO and Soldier of the year represented USASOC at the Sergeant Major of the Army’s Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the year “Best Warrior” competition in October. The runner-up NCO and Soldier of the Year must be prepared to assume the respon-sibility for representing the command if for some reason either of the winners cannot complete their requirements over the next year.

THIS YEAR’S COMPETITORS WERE:

1st Special Forces Command (Airborne Staff Sgt. Lukasz Herbst, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

Spc. Dillon Corcoran, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School Sgt. 1st Class Artom Neekonov Spc. Jeffrey A. Walter

United States Army Special Operations Aviation Command Staff Sergeant Rodney O. Cabebe, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment Spc. Emanuel L. Moore, 160th Spe-cial Operations Aviation Regiment

75th Ranger Regiment Sgt. Robert A. Love Spc. Alexander W. Van Meter

FROM LEFT: U.S. Army Soldiers Spc. Emanuel L. Moore, USASOAC Commanding General Brig. Gen. Erik C. Peterson, Staff Sgt. Rodney O. Cabebe, U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command, pose for a picture after the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) Best Warrior Competition awards ceremony, June 12, 2015, USASOC H.Q., Ft. Bragg, N.C. Moore and Cabebe won the USASOC Best Warrior Competition and will represent USASOC at the Army level for the Soldier and Non-Commissioned Officer of the year competition.


The 2015 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team of the Year

CPT Robert Hruska, Chief, Concepts, Capabilities, and Doctrine Division, TRADOC Capability Manager - EOD

The Ordnance Corps Explo-

sive Ordnance Disposal Team

of the Year Competition (EOD

TOY) was hosted at Fort AP

Hill from 14 September to

18 September 2015 for the

second year in a row. A long

standing tradition within the

Explosive Ordnance Disposal

(EOD) Community, the Team

of the Year (TOY) Competi-

tion brings together the

best teams throughout EOD

for one week to showcase,

through a series of exhausting

events, the technical and tacti-

cal proficiency of the United

States Army’s EOD Soldiers.

Staff Sgt. Zachary Cleland, 723rd Ordnance Company (EOD), 52nd Ordnance Group, Fort Campbell, Ky., documents a dummy mortar found in a village during an event of the 2015 EOD Team of the Year Competi-tion Sept. 17 at Fort A. P. Hill. It was part of a scenario in which a mortar was found in a village and had to be properly disposed. — Photo by T. Anthony Bell.


While the TOY itself is grueling test of resolve and skill, it is the final step of what has been many months of preparation by the participating teams who have been measured through a series of preliminary competitions hosted by their own organi-zations. Major formations represented by the 2015 competition were United States Army Pacific, United States Army Europe, 111th EOD Group, and the 20th CBRNE Command who fielded teams from the 48th Chemical Brigade, 71st EOD Group, 52nd EOD Group.

Once selected, the responsibility to represent his or her organization well falls largely on the EOD Team Leader, the heart of EOD’s combat power, who identifies what is required to be successful when pit-ted against the best. To a competing team the big things are critical, but it’s the little things that can mean the difference for a win when the competition is sometimes decided by a score difference of less than one percent. Often training includes long days of robotics proficiency, Improvised Explosive Device (IED) identification, Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) identifica-tion and render safe procedures, marks-manship, fitness, and a host of other EOD specific and Soldier tasks.

Staff Sgt. Dustin Bussard, 74th Ordnance Company (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) and rep-resenting U.S. Army Pacific Command, carefully removes a rocket from the pod of a downed Cobra helicopter during an event of the EOD Team of the Year Competition Sept. 17 at Fort A.P. Hill. Bussard’s team, which included Spc. Matthew Hamilton and Cpl. Ryan Voss, beat out five others to win the title. The 74th is an element of the 303th Ord. Battalion, 45th Sustainment Brigade, 8th Theater Support Command, located at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. — Photo by T. Anthony Bell.

Staff Sgt. Michael Broesch, Sgt. Thomas Hagens and Spc. John Shirley, 221st Ordnance Company (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), 111th Ord. Group, Army National Guard, receive instructions prior to an event during the EOD Team of the Year Competition Sept. 17 at Fort A.P. Hill. The team was one of six who competed.


This year’s competition took a whole Soldier approach, testing fitness and Sol-dier skills along with EOD specific tasks. The event included an APFT, weapons qualification and 12 mile road march with stations dispersed over its distance testing capabilities such as call for fire, combat casualty care, ordnance identification, bomb lift, weapons assembly, and EOD History. The event also tested the teams’ ability to conduct EOD operations in both permissive and non-permissive environ-

ments through a series of assessments that included IED and UXO disruption, complex remote movement of ordnance, post blast analysis and reporting, technical intelligence of first seen ordnance items, protective works to shield structures from blast damage, night operations, chemical warfare agents, and homemade explosives and drug labs.

Preparation for an event of this size, en-compasses more than just the EOD Teams. The event takes the better half of a year to

plan and gather resources from a multitude of formations across the Army. While the bulk of planning is resourced by TRADOC Capability Manager-EOD (TCM-EOD) with sustainment and support by 59th Ordnance Brigade, EOD evaluators, who are required to possess the EOD Master Badge, and equipment not organic to the Munitions and Explosive Ordnance Dis-posal Training Department (MEODTD) are resourced from most major commands with EOD formations. Cooperation from Fort AP Hill, where the competition is hosted, and a multitude of other organiza-tions is critical to the success of the event.

While it is a time consuming and re-source intensive event, the TOY provides a unique opportunity to not only grant bragging rights to the victorious team and their organization, but to showcase the extraordinary competence of the Army’s EOD Technicians and provide visibility to commanders and the Chief of Ordnance about where the community’s technical capabilities are the strongest and where additional training resources might be focused.

The 2015 Ordnance Corps Team of the Year was from 74th OD CO (EOD), 303rd OD BN (EOD), Schofield Bar-racks, Hawaii. Other companies fielding teams in this year’s competition were 723rd OD CO (EOD), 52nd OD GRP (EOD), Fort Campbell, KY, 53rd OD CO, 71st OD GRP (EOD), Yakima Training Center, Washington, 68th Chemical CO, 48th Chemical BDE, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, 702nd OD CO (EOD), 16th Sustainment BDE, Grafenwoehr, Germany, and 221st OD CO (EOD), 11th OD GRP (EOD), Camp Blanding, Florida.

Military organizations that supported the 2015 Ordnance Corps Team of the Year were: 59th Ordnance Brigade, 832nd Ordnance Battalion, HHC 59th Ordnance Brigade, Army Logistics University, 20th CBRNE Command, Fort AP Hill Gar-rison, US Army EOD Technical Detach-ment, Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command, and Combined Arms Support Command G8.

Civilian Organizations that supported the 2015 Ordnance Corps Team of the Year Competition were: US Army EOD Association, EOD Warrior Foundation, Tactical Electronics, Inert Products LLC, FLIR CBRN Detection, DetectaChem, Foster Miller, and i-Robot.

The 2015 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team of the Year was from 74th OD CO (EOD), 303rd OD BN (EOD), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Staff Sgt. Gideon Schwartz goes into “harm’s way” during the 2015 EOD Team of the Year com-petition, held Sept. 14-17, 2015 at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. (DOD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Jose A. Torres Jr., Soldiers, Defense Media Activity)


EOD Directorate Transforms to

TRADOC Capabilities Manager—EOD

CPT ROBERT HRUSKA Chief, ConCepts, Capabilities, and doCtrine division, tradoC Capability Manager - eod

EODD stood up in 2009 as an initial response and first

step towards addressing the recommendation by the

U.S. Army Audit Agency (AAA) in its 2008 Audit of

Improvised Explosive Device Training for EOD Soldiers,

to establish an EOD Land Warfare Center of Excellence

in order to “support the Army’s institutional EOD

training program with enduring research, intelligence,

analysis, doctrine, manning, equipment, and program and

budgeting requirements.”

The EOD Directorate, assigned to the Office of

the Chief of Ordnance, acted as a singular point

of contact and primary advisor for EOD doctrine,

organization, training, materiel, leadership, personnel

and facilities (DOTMLPF) to the Chief of Ordnance

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Directorate (EODD) has undergone a transition becoming a TRADOC Capability Manager-Explosive Ordnance Disposal (TCM-EOD), the charter was signed 29 June 2015 by General David Perkins, TRADOC Commander. The transformation appoints TCM-EOD as TRADOC’s centralized manager for EOD doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel, and facilities initiatives in support of the Army EOD community.


and the Sustainment Center of

Excellence, however a TCM

charter is the next step toward

a more refined approach to

managing EOD capabilities

across the Army and delegates

the authority of the TRADOC

Commanding General for

the centralized management

of assigned responsibilities

as outlined in TRADOC

Regulation 71-12, TRADOC

Capability Management, which

includes working issues across

all aspects of DOTMLPF to

ensure capability in all concepts

of operation.

Some initiatives currently

being undertaken by TCM-EOD

include: a rewrite of EOD Group,

Battalion and Company level

doctrine, the codification of Joint

EOD Doctrine, procurement of

an EOD vehicle, modernized

night vision capability,

enhanced Chemical, Biological,

Radiological, and Nuclear

(CBRN) capabilities, the Next

Generation Bomb Suit, an EOD

specific Captains Career Course,

continued modernization of

NCO professional development

courses, and the Advanced EOD

Team Leader Operations Course.

TCM-EOD is the 33rd

TRADOC Capability Manager

in the Army, and uniquely

contains an organic Training

Development section and

Doctrine manager.


For over 35 years, Army weapon sys-tems have relied upon ATS to perform diagnostic measurements internally as a means to screen and fault isolate failures within their platform. The diagnostic con-cept was designed in two parts: At- Plat-form Automatic Test Systems (APATS) and Off-Platform Automatic Test Systems (OPATS) to support weapon systems at all levels of maintenance. The APATS was fielded to provide platform level diagnos-tics on the airborne and ground systems giving the maintainer the ability to identify Line Replaceable Module (LRM) faults. The defective LRM was then job ordered to the OPATS and a maintainer would per-form additional diagnostic measurements to repair the LRM.

APATS. In the late 1980s, the first generation of APATS called the Contact Test Set (CTS) was fielded. The CTS provided a limited diagnostic ability for the maintainer and considered a momen-

Daniel Moody, Combined Arms Support Command, Materiel Systems Directorate

AUTOMATIC TEST SYSTEM Modernizing for Army 2025 and Beyond

tum builder for the ATS initiative us-ing computers, software, and cabling to provide electronic interaction with the weapon system. In the 1990s, the Product Director, for Test, Measure-ment, and Diagnostic Equipment (PD TMDE) materially modernized the next generation of APATS. The Sol-dier Portable On-System Repair Tool (SPORT) (Figure 1-1) provided the maintainer the capability to display, diagnose, and repair various weapon systems while utilizing Interactive Technical Manuals (IETMs) through the use of a Controller Diagnostic Aid (CDA). The CDA was a lightweight por-table computer with an Intel processor chip, hard drive, CD ROM, and Microsoft Win-dows 95 Operating System. The CDA allowed for uploading/downloading of weapon system data using Military Standard (MIL STD) Vehicle data bus technology.

In the late 1990’s, the SPORT be-gan to experience obsolescence, and PD TMDE fielded the next genera-tion APATS called the Maintenance Support Device (MSD). The MSD leveraged commercial industry with a clam-shelled design, increased proces-sor speed, and storage capabilities. The MSD was identified as the Army’s pre-ferred choice of APATS and Electronic Technical Manual (ETM) reader. The ruggedized design, and automated ca-pabilities resulted in an increase in cus-tomer demands. By 2006, and with the fielding of the MSD (V2) (Figure 1-2), the Army Acquisition Objective (AAO) increased to 40K and supports over 50 weapon systems to include the tactical wheeled fleet. The increased demands for graphics, IETMs, and User versatility resulted in a redesign of the MSD.

In December 2011, the MSD (V3) (Figure 1-3) was fielded as a smaller more capable netbook APATS while maintaining the same ruggedized shell as its predecessor versions. The MSD V3 was configurable to provide the maintainer with a clam-shell, or tablet configuration, for ease of use and operation. The multi-core processor speed, expandable Random Access Memory (RAM), larger removable hard drive, and Windows 7 Operat-ing System enabled an improved diagnostic test capability for the maintainer. Like the predecessor replacements, the MSD V3 is a ruggedized, self-contained, soldier-portable system that Army maintainers utilized in the harsh field environment and at all mainte-nance levels to test, diagnose and repair complex missile, aviation and vehicular weapon system electronics, engines, transmissions, etc. It is the primary reader of IETMs and

Figure 1-1. Soldier Portable On-System Repair Tool (SPORT)

Figure 1-2, 91B MOS Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic Soldiers using the MSD V2

As the Army transforms to an

Army 2025 Force, materiel

modernization of Automatic

Test Systems (ATS) must keep

pace in order to shoot, move,

and communicate on demand.

Air and ground weapon

systems aren’t fail proof and

require maintenance

to ensure platform

readiness are to standard.


platform specific application software used to upload/download mission data. Additionally, the MSD (V3) is tentatively identified to host the Unit Level Logistics–Aviation (Enhanced) (ULLS-A(E)) logistics software which would provide Field level Aviation maintenance personnel an automated ability to document rotary-wing aircraft maintenance actions, track Preventive Maintenance Checks & Services (PMCS), and manage on-hand Prescribed Load List (PLL) usage. The innovation changes within APATS kept pace with the Army’s emerging requirements and support weapon system readiness rates.

In 2015, the Combined Arms Support Command (CASCOM) Capability Developers for TMDE completed the requirements analysis for the future APATS to support the Army 2025 platform level diagnostics mission. The next generation MSD will consist of two model types: A ruggedized tablet type APATS model and a clam-shelled laptop will be developed and identified as the MSD (V4). Each model will have an identified Line Item Number (LIN) and separate Basis of Issue Plan (BOIP) to allow for easier proper-ty book accountability and narrowed focused allocation for main-tainer support requirements. The MSD (V4) is being considered as the selected data collection source for Condition Based Main-tenance Plus (CBM +) initiatives across future weapon systems. In addition, the MSD (V4) will incorporate the interoperability functions to communicate with the Global Combat Service Sup-port—Army (GCSS-Army) Logistics Information System (LIS). PD TMDE’s two pronged acquisition approach for the MSD (V4) will result in an overall lower programmatic cost, potentially im-proving fielding time lines and increasing procurement quantities across the Program Objective Memorandum (POM) years. The MSD (V4) is planned to begin fielding in 2016.

OPATS. The initial fielding of an OPATS capability occurred in the early 1980s with the fielding of the Direct Support Elec-trical Systems Test Set (DSESTS) (Figure 1-4). The Ordnance Maintainer Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 91G uses the DSESTS to provide Off-System diagnostic tests and fault isola-tion of the M1A1 Abrams and M2 Bradley platform LRMs. The

DSESTS consists of an M900 series truck, an Expansion shelter, Automatic Test Equipment, and additional hardware & software components called Test Program Sets (TPS) to support each LRM. Currently, the DSESTS continues to provide an OPATS capability for the Abrams and Bradley platforms.

Unlike APATS, there wasn’t a single source of procurement and management for weapon system LRM off system diagnos-tics support. In the early 1990’s, PD TMDE fielded the Integrated Family of Test Equipment (IFTE) Base Shop Test Facility V3 (BSTF) (Figure 1-5). The AN/TSM-191 v3, BSTF (V3) consisted

Figure 1-3. MSD V3 New Equipment Training (NET) & Fielding at Fort Bragg

Figure 1-4. Direct Support Electrical System Test Set (DSESTS)


of a FMTV prime mover, an S-250 Shelter, Automatic Test Equip-ment, and an assortment of TPS to support each LRM enabling the Ordnance Soldier MOS 94Y the ability to diagnose and repair electronic LRMs for multiple Aviation and Missile weapon sys-tems. Similar to the BSTF V3, a new OPATS identified as the An/TSM-191 (v5), BSTF (V5) was fielded by PD TMDE in 2002 to provide LRM support of the OH-58D Helicopter optical mission. The BSTF (V5) was fielded and assigned to the Aviation Support Battalions (ASB).

In 2004, multiple policies were established in an attempt to standardize and downsize Automatic Test Systems. The Under Secretary of Defense Memorandum subject: Department of De-fense (DoD) Policy for Automatic Test Systems (ATS), dated 28 July 2004, dictated transformation of the Army’s Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) to an Army standard and downsized ATE. The Army directed compliance with the DoD policy and imple-mented regulations to support its own policy in AR 750-43. In an effort to address obsolescence and redundancy experienced by the DSESTS, BSTF (V3) & BSTF (V5), CASCOM developed the requirements for a future OPATS. The Next Generation Au-tomatic Test System (NGATS) (Figure 1-6) Capabilities Produc-tion Document (CPD) was approved in April 2007 and selected as the Army’s designated replacement for DSESTS, BSTF (V3) & BSTF (V5). The NGATS CPD was coded as a Joint Interest

Figure 1-5. Base Shop Test Facility (BSTF)

Figure 1-6. Next Generation Automatic Test System (NGATS)

requirement resulting in PD TMDE leveraging with the Navy and Marine Automatic Test System architecture to develop some of the NGATS hardware solutions.

The NGATS configuration consists of two M1112A2 HEMTT prime movers, two ISO 20 foot shelters, one 60kW Generator, Au-tomatic Test Equipment, and multiple TPSs to perform diagnostic support for all variants of the Abrams, Bradley, Paladin, Avenger, and future systems. The open architecture design and leveraging of commercial industry enables NGATS to be a general purpose OPATS focusing on increasing diagnostic tree capabilities, lower-ing weapon system LRM No Evidence of Failure (NEOF) rates, and increasing system reliability. The NGATS aligns with the Army Two levels of Maintenance and will be operationally as-signed to field and sustainment maintenance locations. In 2017, PD TMDE plans to begin fielding NGATS to the Brigade Com-bat Teams, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) MOS Schools, and depots.

Conclusion. Designated as the Army’s preferred choice of APATS and OPATS, the MSD (V4) and NGATS will provide weapon systems with a technologically advanced diagnostic tool by fielding a single source of ATE to reduce logistical costs, enabling faster diagnostic run times, and providing a precision measurement capability for increased fault isolation accuracy rates well beyond 2025.


WITH THE HOME OFStay Connected

Ordnance

#GoOrdnance

@ChiefofOrdnance Ask the Chief

GoOrdnance.army.mil

US Army Ordnance School

@USAODS USAODS

OrdnanceCorpSchool

CONNECT WITH THE CHIEF OF ORDNANCE

Date post:	16-Jul-2018
Category:	Documents
Upload:	phamthuy
View:	216 times
Download:	0 times

EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL TEAM · T he state of our Corps is strong! This is my assessment,...

Documents