SALVO

Story begins on page 3 Arsenal Apprentice Robert Fournier, right, receiving the Blanchard Industrial Supplies Award from Hudson Valley Community College Professor David Larkin for his selection as the top graduate, having maintained a 4.0 GPA. Photo by John B. Snyder

Arsenal apprentice takes top award

Vol. 13, No. 5 U.S. Army Watervliet Arsenal, New York May 31, 2013

Also inside:Commander’s ColumnSecArmy Safety AwardNew Orders

Page 2 Salvo May 31, 2013

The Arsenal Salvo is an authorized monthly publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of the Salvo are not necessarily the official views of, or an endorse-ment by the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Army, or the Watervliet Arsenal. News may be submitted for publication by sending articles to Public Affairs Officer, 1 Buffington Street, Bldg. 10, Watervliet, NY 12189, or stop by office #102, Bldg. 10, Watervliet Arsenal. The editor may also be reached at (518) 266-5055 or by e-mail: john.b.snyder.civ@mail.mil. The editor reserves the right to edit all information submitted for publication.

Commander, Col. Mark F. MigaleddiPublic Affairs Officer, John B. SnyderEditor, John B. SnyderPhotographer: John B. Snyder Arsenal Facebook Page @http://on.fb.me/sq3LEm

Commander’sCorner

Mark F. MigaleddiCommanding

Manufacturer 6

Although I’ll have one more message to you before I depart on July 18, I thought I would lean forward and start the transition of command to Col. Lee Schiller, your incoming commander.

Col. Schiller is no stranger to the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command as he commanded the Sierra Army Depot as a lieutenant colonel. Since his departure from Iraq last year, he has been an active follower of our activities, as he has been receiving our news releases and newsletters. He is also following our command on social media sites, such as Facebook.

Earlier this month, Col. Schiller spent three days at the arsenal walking our grounds and receiving briefings from several key leaders. We kept him busy as we peppered him with data about such things as our strategic plan, contracting, command investment program, personnel, safety, and our manufacturing. We gave him just enough to wet his appetite for more information about the great work that you do.

Needless to say, that when Col. Schiller takes command on July 18 he will hit the ground running. Speaking of running, we have had some good news this month regarding workload.

In an era of declining defense budgets and talk of sequestration, the month of May actually turned

out to be very productive for us in regards to future workload. The first order coming in this month for mortar bipods locked in more than 21,000 hours of direct labor. This order was followed by another order for mortar barrels that will bring us another $6.9 million of work and more than 18,000 hours of direct labor.

We anticipate manufacturing to start for these orders near the end of this year and extend into 2015. We are also tracking several high probable orders that may be announced soon and if they come through, they will provides us thousands more direct labor hours of work.

Each new order requires our unique expertise that cannot be replicated elsewhere. So, please be exceptionally safe during the summer months, as we need everyone working together to get the best products in the world into the hands of our warfighters.

Page 3 Salvo May 31, 2013

Story continues on page 4, See Capstone

Apprentice capstone project signifies the end is near

By John B. Snyder

After more than 11,000 hours of design, manufacturing, and assembling, it came down to this ... 2013 Capstone Project. This reduced-scale, fully functional lathe represents what a machinist might have found at the arsenal in the late 1800s.

Photo by John B. Snyder

Arsenal machining apprentices are one step closer to becoming Department of the Army machinists as they presented their Capstone Project at a ceremony conducted this month at the Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, N.Y. The Capstone Project is the culmination of their schooling and a demonstration of their machining skills they have acquired in the four-year apprentice program. The 14 arsenal apprentices have for the last four years attended a rigorous educational program at Hudson Valley that taught them how to draft blueprints to machining a finished product. While attending college, they were also working full time at the Watervliet Arsenal trying to amass 8,000 hours of hands-on training that is required for an apprentice to be considered for an entry-level journeyman machinist position at the Watervliet Arsenal. Although the arsenal apprentice program began in 1905, its relationship with the community college began about 20

years ago. Hudson Valley Professor David Larkin said during the ceremony that it took the class of 37 students more than 11,000 hours to design, machine, and assemble the final capstone project. The other students, some of them apprentices for local businesses such as General Electric, worked side-by-side the arsenal apprentices to produce 18 identical projects. The project was a late 1800s-era, fully functional lathe complete with a steam engine, Larkin said. Each year, corporate sponsors provide the capstone project with seed money. “When one totals the amount of work that the students put into the project, the return on the investment is a final product that is valued at approximately $70,000 that sponsors can showcase in their businesses,” Larkin said. Hudson Valley College President Drew Matonak said

Page 4 Salvo May 31, 2013

Capstone cont.

Top: Arsenal com-mander taking a look at the Arsenal’s cap-stone project made by apprentices while apprentice program supervisor, John Zay-howski, left, and Op-erations Directorate’s Friedrich Schnacken-berg look on.Left: Arsenal appren-tices in second row await the presenta-tion of their capstone project.

this was a great accomplishment and a true example of how much the college is committed to building up manufacturing in New York’s Capital District. “We may need to build a bigger stage because the gathering here today is absolutely incredible,” Matonak said. “This is a tremendous program in that every one of the 37 students has a job or will have one soon.” Two of the arsenal’s apprentices were recognized for their academic excellence. Robert Fournier received the Blanchard Industrial Supplies Award for his selection as the top graduate, having maintained a 4.0 GPA. “There wasn’t one highlight of my four years because everything I did was a highlight,” Fournier said of his apprentice experience. “This is a great opportunity for me and one that is personally satisfying because I will be machining the products that may save a Soldier’s life.” Right behind Fournier in academic excellence was fellow arsenal apprentice Peter Northup, who also achieved a 4.0 GPA. Northup said the apprentice program gave him an opportunity to learn how to machine on just about every one of the 600 machines at the arsenal. “We started with manual-operated machines in our first couple of months and soon moved onto computer numerical controlled machines,” Northup said. This 82nd class of arsenal apprentices began their training nearly four years ago and since then have been working full time at the arsenal while also putting in another 10-20 hours a week for their college studies. The students graduated from Hudson Valley this month and will complete their 8,000 hours of hands-on training this summer at the arsenal. They will officially graduate from the apprentice program in August. Upon graduation, they will receive a certificate from the Department of Labor saying that they are journeyman machinists. Arsenal apprentices in 1905 dealt with chalk boards ― today’s apprentices deal with high-tech smart boards.

Apprentices in 1905 dealt with mud on the streets of Watervliet as they walked their way to work ― today’s apprentices deal with I-787, I-87, and I-90. Apprentices in 1905 dealt with steel that was not much better than flake iron ― today’s apprentices must deal with hardened Titanium and Inconel steel. Finally, apprentices in 1905 dealt with competition from manufacturers mainly in the Northeast ― today’s apprentices must deal with global competition. List of apprentices who will graduate in August:Altenos, John Kusaywa, Dylan Bashford, William McCarthy, WilliamBoak, Timothy Northup, PeterChirpka, Kenneth Smith, JaredDay, Robert Weishaar, JohnDelisle, Robert Wert, BrantFontaine, Timothy White, JamesFournier, RobertNote: Kusaywa completed his studies last summer.

Photos by John B. Snyder

established by the Army Materiel Command.-The total number of days lost days was decreased by 73 percent from FY 2011.-The total Case Incident Rate that was 77 percent lower than industry standards.

-No one placed on long-term disability. In fact, since 2003, no one from the arsenal has been placed on long-term disability.

Beyond the cold statistics is an energized workforce who actively participates in several safety programs, as well as who readily recommend initiatives to make the workplace safer, Church said. “In FY 2012, we conducted command-level accident investigations within 24 hours of occurrence, rolled out a new safety tracking program called INTELEX that is a one-stop-shop for all safety-related information, reinforced an incentive-based safety suggestion program, and empowered the workforce,” Church said. The arsenal also had embarked on the road to Star Certification in OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) and leveraged its relationship with its local union to ensure that safety was

part of everyone’s daily procedures. Church said that given the awesome scope of responsibility, his four-person team could not have been successful without leadership involvement, at all levels. “We are not a separate division anymore,” Church said. “We have become an inclusive division in that every echelon of the arsenal now integrates our efforts into their operations.

Page 5 Salvo May 31, 2013

By John B. Snyder

Secretary of the Army pins industrial safety award on Watervliet ... again

Photo by John B. SnyderThe Fiscal 2010 Secretary of the Army and Army Chief of Staff Safety Award of Industrial Operations banner proudly hangs in the main production floor of the Watervliet Arsenal. The arsenal was recently selected for the FY 2012 Secretary of the Army and Army Chief of Staff Safety Award, now having received the award twice in three years.

The Watervliet Arsenal announced this month that it was named the winner of the Fiscal 2012 Secretary of the Army and Army Chief of Staff Safety Award of Industrial Operations. This is the second time in three years that the arsenal has been recognized by the Army’s senior leaders for its exceptional safety program and record. After learning of the award, arsenal Commander Col. Mark F. Migaleddi told the workforce that this award is a testament of their efforts of never letting talking about safety, and practicing safety, to get old. “To achieve its mission, the arsenal engages in operations that are inherently dangerous, such as precision machining, metal fabrication, welding, composite filament winding, forging, and heat treating,” Migaleddi said. “Therefore, to operate in this environment we must stay on the cutting edge of safety programs.” Given that there are more than 850 Army employees who drive in and out the gate every day; more than 600 machines that grind, drill, and bore; and that the arsenal resides in an area with some of the harshest winter weather in the Northeast, this is a considerable achievement, said Matthew Church, an arsenal safety specialist. Church said that some of the arsenal safety achievements that led to the award are:

-No fatalities.-A lost time rate that was 50 percent lower than the goal

Page 6 Salvo May 31, 2013

Arsenal History: Salvo 1978

The 60mm mortar system is used primarily by the infantry as an indirect fire weapon when a high angle trajectory is required to hit enemy troops, materiel, and positions. It has a maximum range of about 3,500 meters. The bipod consists of several close-tolerance machined parts, such as traversing mechanisms, legs, and barrel collars, that support the barrel when it is in its firing configuration. The Watervliet Arsenal is an Army-owned and -operated manufacturing facility and is the oldest, continuously active arsenal in the United States having begun operations during the War of 1812.

Page 7 Salvo May 31, 2013

Another $9.3M mortar contract brings 21,000+

direct labor hoursBy John B. Snyder

Photo by USMC Sgt. Bryan PetersonAfghan National Army infantry soldiers, who recently graduated ANA basic training, conduct M224 60mm mortar training operations in April 2013 at the Regional Military Training Center aboard Camp Shurabak, Washir District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Preparing for Furloughs

Sunmark Credit Union’s Jim Mack providing the first of three financial classes to the arsenal workforce in May to better prepare them for the upcoming furloughs. One of the key themes that Mack highlighted was that cutting out little expenses, such as daily coffee, soda, and eating lunch out can produce significant savings. More than 650 arsenal employees are members of Sunmark.

The Arsenal announced this month that it received a $9.3 million contract to provide 500 60mm mortar bipods for the U.S. Army’s TACOM Life Cycle Management Command. This multimillion dollar order will add to the Arsenal’s current workload more than 21,000 hours of direct labor, said Bruce Pienkoski, the Arsenal’s program manager for this order. “The order for raw stock material is currently being drafted and we expect to start manufacturing the bipods in December 2013,” Pienkoski said. The first shipment of bipods is scheduled to leave the arsenal in March 2014 and the order should be complete by December 2014. Ray Gaston, the Arsenal’s chief of the Production Planning and Control Division, said, “This order truly reflects the high confidence the Department of Army has on the arsenal’s ability to become the main manufacture of mortar systems, just as we have become for medium and large caliber cannons.” “What was just a few years ago a small part of our overall production, mortar manufacturing for the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and for foreign militaries is today our largest production line,” Gaston said. “Although we have been known for more than 100 years as the nation’s leading cannon manufacturer, maybe we can now stake the claim to being the nation’s premier mortar manufacturer, too.”

Photo by John B. Snyder

Page 8 Salvo May 31, 2013

NYS Senate21 May

With names such as “Dispatch Descent” and “Forcible Fury” arsenal firefighters Matthew Kolodzie and Luke Ryder took part in a grueling 17-obstacle “Hero Rush” race on May 18th that was almost five-miles long. Each obstacle was firefighter and hero-themed that required each competitor to drag hoses, crawl over and through obstacles and to tra-verse hazardous material pits. This competition had nearly 2,000 participate and was a fundraising event for firefighter-related charities. According to Kolodzie, “I want to field an arsenal team next year to showcase our skills and physical condition.” So, the challenge has been thrown. Matthew Kolodzie in action.

Photo provided by Kolodzie

The Arsenal had a two-event day with the NYS Senate on May 21st when the commander was the keynote speaker at the Senate’s Veterans Hall of Fame Ceremony. Later in the day when the Senate went into session, Sen. Neil Breslin had a resolution read on the floor that touted the Arsenal’s 200th Anniversary.

Commander’s Awardfor

Civilian ServiceJim Uram received the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service during the May town hall meeting for his expert technical oversight on a variety of public works projects and for his going beyond his call of duty to support engineering and maintenance services. His role at the arsenal was critical to ensuring that the installation of major electrical systems and components were executed within and around critical mission requirements. The commander said that Uram is an invaluable asset to the arsenal’s mission.

Photo by John B. Snyder

Photo by John B. Snyder

“Hero Rush” Competition

Page 9 Salvo May 31, 2013

CPAC - Civilian Personnel Advisory Center

MILITARY SERVICE DEPOSITS

Making a military service deposit can be beneficial when it comes time to retire, but waiting until retirement to pay it back may not be your best option. The rules are different for how and when a buyback will affect your FERS or CSRS retirement so make sure you’re looking at the right information. Consider the following points when you’re deciding whether or not to pay back your deposit:

For Both CSRS and FERS:

1. Military Service Deposits must now be paid in full prior to the date of separation or retirement.

2. The application and payback processing time for the deposit is approximately 120 days. Employees who are anticipating retirement should plan accordingly.

3. Once a deposit is completely paid, you MUST request proof of payment. To do this, ask a payroll representative to submit a Remedy ticket to DFAS requesting the proof of payment. When the proof of payment is received, provide a copy to the Civilian Personnel Advisory Center (CPAC) to be placed in your Official Personnel Folder (OPF).

4. The earlier you buy it back, the better! In both CSRS and FERS, your Military Service Deposit accrues interest. No interest is charged for CSRS or FERS if you pay the deposit in full before the first interest accrual date (IAD).

For more detailed information, visit: https://www.abc.army.mil/. You may also contact CPAC at 266-4058 or 266-4053.

CSRS FERSEligibility for Retirement

Employed before 10-01-1982: No deposit is required in order to receive credit toward retirement eligibility.

Employed after 10-01-1982: Deposit is required in order to receive credit toward retirement eligibility

Deposit is required in order to receive credit toward retirement eligibility

Annuity Computation Employed before 10-01-1982 ANDa. eligible for Social Security (SS) benefits at retirement, deposit must be paid for full credit. If no deposit is made, military service time will not be credited toward annuity after age 62.

b. are NOT eligible for SS benefits: no deposit needed to receive full credit

Employed on or after 10-01-1982:Deposit is required to receive credit

Deposit is required to receive credit

Interest Accrual Dates (IAD)

Interest begins to accrue on 10-01-1986 or after completion of your third year of service in a CSRS position

Interest begins to accrue on 01-01-1989 or after completion of your second year of service in a FERS position

Page 10 Salvo May 31, 2013

Save-the-Date 200th Anniversary

Covenant Signing Ceremony June 11 at 10 a.m. Building 110, “Big Gun Shop”

Photos provided by the Arsenal MuseumTop: The first nuclear-capable gun being manufactured at the Watervliet Arsenal in the early 1950s.Bottom: The “Atomic Annie” firing its first round in 1953.

WATERVLIET ARSENAL COMMUNITY COVENANTSUPPORTING THOSE WHO SERVE OUR NATION

City of Albany - City of Schenectady - City of Troy - City of Watervliet

We, the Community, recognize... - The commitment to our Nation that Soldiers, their Families, Veterans, and the Arse-nal Civilian Workforce are making every day. - The proud and historic commitment of the Arsenal’s workforce to support our Nation’s war fi ghters in every U.S. military confl ict since the War of 1812. - The Arsenal’s skilled artisans who have manufactured the products that have helped hundreds of thousands of servicemen and women to come home safely from battle.

We, the Community, are committed to... - Building partnerships that support the strength and resilience of our Soldiers, their Families, our Veterans, and our local Arsenal Civilian workforce. - Sustaining the Army’s footprint at the Watervliet Arsenal. - Helping the community to better appreciate the Arsenal’s story and its value to our community, state, Army, and to our Nation.

__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ Michael P. Manning Gerald D. Jennings Gary R. McCarthy Lou Rosamilia Brian U. Stratton Mayor, City of Watervliet Mayor, City of Albany Mayor, City of Schenectady Mayor, City of Troy Dir., NYS Canal Corp.

__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ Daniel P. McCoy Linda Weiss MG Patrick Murphy COL Mark F. Migaleddi Albany County Executive Stratton VA Medical Center NYS Military Affairs Watervliet Arsenal

ARSENAL COMMUNITY COVENANT200 Years of Continuous Service

200 TH Anniversary

Page 11 Salvo May 31, 2013

Memorial Day Activities

Photos by John B. Snyder

Page 12 Salvo May 31, 2013

Arsenal Appreciation Night with the ValleyCatsSaturday, 20 July

at 7 p.m.

• The Arsenal has coordinated with the Tri-City ValleyCats baseball organi-zation for the 5th Annual Arsenal Appreciation Night.

• Game is on Saturday, 20 July, at 7 p.m. (Fireworks Night)• Department of the Army Civilians and Arsenal family members may pur-

chase a "Reserved Box" ticket for only $5.50 (42% discount). These are great seats Section 230 and 250).

• All Military Veterans will still receive a free ticket.• You may also purchase a reduced meal voucher for only $3.50 This

voucher is good for one hot dog, small soda, and a bag of chips.

Contact John Snyder in Room 102Building 10(266-5055)

orMelissa Ryder

at the Body Forge(266-4829)

forTickets!!!

Our own Suzanne Delaney will sing the National Anthem

You may pick up your tickets beginning on June 12th

Contact John Snyder in Room 102Building 10(266-5055)

orMelissa Ryder

at the Body Forge(266-4829)

forTickets!!!