Official newsletter of the U.S. Army Watervliet Arsenal. A gathering of key stories and photos that capture some of the action at the U.S. Army's manufacturing center at Watervliet, N.Y. This is a low resolution edition and so, if you wish a higher resolution copy please send a note to: usarmy.watervliet.tacom.list.wvapublicaffairs@mail.mil The Watervliet Arsenal (pronounced water-vleet) is an Army-owned and -operated manufacturing facility located in Watervliet, New York. The Arsenal is the oldest, continuously active arsenal in the United States having begun operations during the War of 1812.

1. Wernertalks
Wernertalks
people,
people,
modernization
modernization
withTonko
withTonko
TACOM CG visitsWVA
TACOM CG visitsWVA
Page 3
Page 3
Arsenal raises sexual assault
Arsenal raises sexual assault
awareness
awareness
Watervliet holds SAAPM walk and run
Watervliet holds SAAPM walk and run
Page 4
Page 4
U.S. Army Watervliet Arsenal – Since 1813
U.S. Army Watervliet Arsenal – Since 1813 May 2021
May 2021
Employee spotlight:
Employee spotlight:
Cpt. Michelle Arreola
Cpt. Michelle Arreola
COVID Operations Officer shares
COVID Operations Officer shares
information, experience
information, experience
Page 7
Page 7

2. Page 2 The Salvo
Commander’s Corner
Col. Earl B. Schonberg Jr.
We are making great strides in our priorities – peo-
ple, readiness and modernization – those priorities are
reflected in many of the stories in this issue.
Recently, we had an incredible visit from Maj. Gen.
Darren Werner, U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Arma-
ments Command commanding general, and U.S. Rep.
Paul Tonko, N.Y. 20th district. Werner and Tonko dis-
cussed some of the people-first modernization efforts
here. It is important to stay engaged with our elected
officials whose districts we operate in. I am confident
that the importance of our mission and what Team Wa-
tervliet does each day left a positive impression on the
congressman.
When we mention people, we are talking about
taking care of our people and that includes ensuring
everyone is free from the corrosive behaviors of sexual
assault and harassment. Team Watervliet came out in
force to walk and run in a showing of solidarity with vic-
tims of sexual assault. Our guest speaker emphasized
the importance of bystander intervention. In short,
we all have the ability to stop sexual violence before it
happens.
In this issue’s employee spotlight we recognize Cpt.
Michelle Arreola who has been serving as the arsenal’s
COVID Operations Officer since December. Cpt. Arreola
has done a terrific job keeping the workforce informed
with the most current COVID guidance and coordinat-
ing our highly successful vaccination program.
Lastly, a huge congratulations goes out to Team
Watervliet for receiving the Army Chief of Staff safe-
ty award for the brigade level for a fifth time! Your
commitment to safety in everything you do helps the
arsenal achieve its mission and is directly tied to our
continued success. Excellent work team!
Army Strong!
Col. Earl B. Schonberg Jr.
61st Commander, Watervliet Arsenal
Greetings Team Watervliet! It is my pleasure to
introduce this issue of the Salvo to our workforce and
friends. This has been an exciting year filled with suc-
cess and a lot of action on the ground.
Commander: Col. Earl B. Schonberg Jr.
Public Affairs Officer: Matthew I. Day
Photography: Tanya Bissaillon, Matthew I. Day
www.wva.army.mil
www.facebook.com/WatervlietArsenal
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 endorsement 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
12180, or stop by office #102, Bldg. 10, Watervliet Arsenal. The editor
may also be reached at (518) 266.5055 or by email: matthew.i.day.
civ@mail.mil. The editor reserves the right to edit all information
submitted for publication.
U.S. Army Watervliet Arsenal – Since 1813

3. Page 3
May 2021
During the discussion with Tonko, Werner shared a
vision for future cannon manufacturing at Watervliet Ar-
senal that will employ emerging technologies to support
the Army’s modernization priorities – long-range preci-
sion artillery and the next generation combat vehicle.
The arsenal recently installed five-axis milling machines
that, through automation, reduce machine processing
time on select components by more than half.
“Over time, we’re going to be transitioning from
hands-on to more precision automation,”Werner said,
noting that automation reduces time-consuming tasks
for skilled craftsmen, allowing work to be completed
faster and more efficiently.
The arsenal leverages its partnership with on site
Combat Capabilities and Development Command’s Ben-
et Laboratories. Benet works with Watervliet Arsenal to
develop and implement new manufacturing technology.
These new technologies, combined with new materials,
increase performance and extend the serviceable life of
weapon systems the arsenal produces.
Incorporating advanced manufacturing technology
means new skill set requirements for future machinists.
“As we develop new technology, we will train em-
ployees on new tech as it comes available,”Werner said,
adding that as new people join the arsenal workforce,
they will have the skills geared for future needs.
A people-first approach to modernization includes a
workforce where people feel valued and respected.
“When we talk people, there are a lot of things that
come to mind – inclusion, equity, opportunity and train-
ing,”Werner said.“People are incredibly important to this
organization and always have been.”
Tonko spoke of the important role Watervliet plays in
the nation’s defense and his continued commitment to
support the arsenal and its workforce.
“This is a critical facility, we are happy to learn more
and how we can help you,”Tonko said.
U.S. Rep. Paul D. Tonko, N.Y. 20th district, met with Tank-automotive and Armaments Command
Commanding General Maj. Gen. Darren Werner and Watervliet Arsenal Commander Col. Earl B.
Schonberg, Jr. during a visit to the historic U.S. Army manufacturing center April 29.
Story by: Matthew Day
Werner talks people, modernization
Werner talks people, modernization
with Tonko
with Tonko
TACOM CG visits WVA
TACOM CG visits WVA
Rep. Paul Tonko, right, thanks Soldiers with Fort Drum MEDDAC who are
at the arsenal to perform COVID vaccinations for the arsenal workforce.

4. Page 4 The Salvo
Arsenal raises sexual assault awareness
Arsenal raises sexual assault awareness
Watervliet holds SAAPM walk and run
Watervliet holds SAAPM walk and run
Sexual assault, identified as one of the three corro-
sives by Army Chief of Staff Gen. James C. McConville, is
counter to the Army values and destroys trust within an
organization. Eliminating sexual assault and other corro-
sives is a priority for Watervliet Arsenal Commander Col.
Earl B. Schonberg Jr.
“The Army promotes an environment of mutual trust
where Soldiers and Civilians are committed to upholding
the safety, dignity and respect of every team member,”
Schonberg said.“Trust allows cohesive teams to grow,
improves unit readiness, eliminates negative behaviors
and prevents these sorts of things from occurring in our
arsenal and throughout our communities.”
Schonberg highlighted the significance of the event in
showing support for victims of sexual assault and harass-
ment.
“Today we are going to walk on behalf of sexual
assault and sexual harassment victims, not only in the
Army and Department of Defense, but throughout our
entire community and the Northern New York area,”
Schonberg said.
Before the walk and run began, guest speaker Lori
Walker, coordinator of community education for Albany
County Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center, deliv-
ered remarks.
Walker shared how communities can help prevent
sexual assault through bystander action when witness-
ing behaviors that can lead to sexual assault.
“We think that sexual assault is an isolated incident,
but in reality, we know that sexual assault is the end
product of many smaller behaviors that grow overtime
and snowball into this act of violence,”Walker said.“That
is where we as bystanders come in, we are the ones that
witness those small events, those comments, behaviors,
harassment and jokes. It is preventing those small things
from snowballing that is the real key to prevention and
healing in our communities.”
The Watervliet Arsenal community walked and ran to raise awareness of sexual assault for
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month on April 20.
Story by: Matthew Day
Col. Earl B. Schonberg Jr., Watervliet Arsenal commander, delivers open-
ing remarks during the Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
walk and run here April 20.

5. Page 5
May 2021
Walker shared how bystanders rarely see the impact of
their actions and don’t realize how important bystander
intervention is in preventing sexual violence.
“It is those small behaviors that is the most impactful,”
Walker said.“Ending violence and supporting our survi-
vors really starts with all of us as bystanders.”
City of Watervliet Mayor Charles Patricelli attended
the event with his wife Mary Anne, underscoring what
Schonberg said is a community effort to address a com-
munity problem.
“This is not just an Army issue, this is a community
issue and it will take all of us to fix it,”Schonberg said.
Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Month is an
annual campaign held in April to educate communities
and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence.
Lori Walker, coordinator of community education for Albany County
Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center, speaks about how bystander
intervention is the most effective tool in preventing sexual violence.
City of Watervliet Mayor Charles Patricelli, second from left, joins
members of Team Watervliet during the Sexual Assault Awareness and
Prevention Month walk and run.
Members of Team Watervliet walk in solidarity with victims of sexual
assault during the Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month walk
and run here April 20.

6. Page 6 The Salvo
It is no surprise that cannon manufacturing is a
potentially dangerous activity – large, heavy steel and
moving parts on machines pose serious risks of harm
or even death. That danger makes safety crucial to the
arsenal’s mission.
“There are several safety risks inherent to manufactur-
ing that we aim to mitigate and reduce, which wouldn’t
be possible without the support we have from our work-
force,”Matthew Church, Watervliet Arsenal Safety chief
said.“Our continued record of low accident rates illus-
trates the commitment to safety Team Watervliet has.”
Watervliet Arsenal boasts an accident rate 70% lower
and 69% less time loss from incidents than similar sized
organizations under the North American Classification
code. Both rates surpass Army Materiel Command’s
annual goals by more than 35%. Not only has the arsenal
maintained a low accident rate, but fewer serious acci-
dents occur – in fact, no arsenal employee has been on
long-term disability since 2003.
These low rates are the product of a robust safety
program that utilizes people, specialized software, pol-
icies, procedures and risk management to prevent and
investigate accidents, identify risks and arm the work-
force with safety knowledge. Watervliet made signifi-
cant efforts in hazard prevention and control during the
2020 fiscal year.
An arsenal apprentice designed new work platforms
that will ultimately replace all older wooden platforms.
Arsenal safety identified current work platforms as a
source of potential slips, trips and falls that the new plat-
forms will help prevent.
For the first time in its existence, the rotary forge has
fall protection. A safety engineer professionally designed
systems protecting employees against falls in the chuck
head and forge box areas. Forge maintenance personnel
received training on this new equipment.
“Our workforce continues to emphasize and stress
safety in everything we do,”Church said.“This award
acknowledges their hard work and dedication to safety.”
To be considered for the award, both individuals and
organizations must have made significant improve-
ments and contributions to mishap prevention, among
other criteria, during the previous fiscal year, according
to Department of the Army Pamphlet 385-10, Army
Safety Program.
Watervliet Arsenal recently received the fiscal year 2020 Secretary of the Army and Chief of
Staff, Army Award of Excellence in Safety for the brigade level marking the fifth time the
arsenal received this award.
Story by: Matthew Day
Arsenal safety program recognized
Arsenal safety program recognized
WVA receives fifth safety award
WVA receives fifth safety award

7. Page 7
May 2021
On an Army installation with a large civilian workforce, one of Team Watervliet’s newest
members, Cpt. Michelle Arreola, stands out.
Story by: Matthew Day
Employee Spotlight: Cpt. Michelle Arreola
Employee Spotlight: Cpt. Michelle Arreola
COVID Operations Officer shares information, experience
COVID Operations Officer shares information, experience
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, a flurry
of guidance and information bombarded the arsenal
from multiple agencies and with it, arose a need to
filter, organize and disseminate that information to the
workforce. The arsenal needed someone experienced
in managing health situations with a keen awareness of
the unique mission here. Arreola, who currently serves
as a medical officer and medical planner with the New
York Army National Guard, has been filling that role
since last December.
Recently, Arreola lead the vaccination coordination
effort with medical personnel from Fort Drum. Arreola
disseminated vaccine information and worked with su-
pervisors to ensure the greatest number of people eligi-
ble received vaccines. According to Arreola, vaccines are
an essential tool in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
“If you have the option to receive a vaccine, do it,”
Arreola said.“The closer we get to herd immunity, the
closer we will get to normalcy.”
The biggest challenge, according to Arreola, has been
the sheer volume of information, and misinformation,
she filters to ensure that the workforce is receiving ac-
curate and timely guidance so they can make the right
decisions and protect their health.
Arreola also applies general guidance to Watervliet
Arsenal’s unique role as critical infrastructure, where
special rules ensure the arsenal can continue its import-
ant mission.
That guidance, Arreola says, has helped keep the
workforce safe.
“Our efforts are working, we have to keep them up,”
Arreola said.“The surrounding community is slowly get-
ting back to normal and so long as we continue doing
what we are, it will pay off.”
As a medical officer and planner, Arreola says she
doesn’t always have an opportunity to use the skills she
is employing while at the arsenal – something she says
brings her satisfaction seeing her work make a positive
impact in the community.
In addition to her duties at Watervliet Arsenal, Arreo-
la continues her civilian job as a police officer with the
Glenville Police Department.
Cpt. Michelle Arreola leads Rep. Paul Tonko through the COVID vaccination
station at Watervliet Arsenal. The station provides vaccines for members of
the arsenal workforce.

8. Page 8 The Salvo
Lean Manufacturing methods came to America from Ja-
pan. They evolved while Japan was rebuilding after WWII.
Many of their concepts originated with American ideas,
ideas that did not gain traction here. These concepts
were rediscovered in America in the 80s through research
conducted by MIT. They focused on the Toyota Production
System which epitomized what would become known as
“Lean Manufacturing”.
The single most important concept of lean is the elim-
ination of waste. Shigeo Shingo at Toyota listed seven
wastes, the first letters of which spell TIMWOOD (Trans-
port, Inventory, Motion, Waiting, Over-processing, Over-
production, and Defects).
In the 90s, many lean advocates (including the U.S.
Army) added an eighth waste. This new set of wastes is
rearranged to spell DOWNTIME (Defects, Overproduction,
Waiting, Not utilizing talent, Transportation, Inventory,
Motion, and Excess processing).
Did you spot the new, eighth waste? Yes,“Not utilizing
talent”. Not utilizing or under-utilizing people’s talents,
skills and knowledge is a waste. Companies can experi-
ence great benefits when recognizing the value of skills
and improvement ideas from all levels of the business.
While making the best use of employee talent makes
sense in any business, it is critical for facilities trying to
continuously improve. Lean will always try to make the
best use of the knowledge, opinions and experience of
the people working in a process when we try to improve
that process.
After all, who knows what’s wrong with a process better
than the person who runs that process every day? And
they probably have great ideas how to improve their pro-
cess. But it’s not always done, here or anywhere. Maybe
that shouldn’t be so surprising since many of the eight
wastes are routinely accepted.
We need to be taught, we need to learn to see waste.
We are so used to the waste all around us that we think
that’s the way it should be – but it’s not. Including the
waste of not taking advantage of what your employees
can offer.
We must really listen to the people in the process.
Include those people in the plan to fix things. Help them
fix their own process. The people performing a newly
improved process are much more likely to sustain that
process if they developed it. They also are much more
likely to help tweak and perfect the improved process as it
evolves.
The Continuous Improvement Office employs tech-
niques that make the most of employee knowledge and
experience. We draw out information from even the most
reluctant because we know how valuable that knowledge
and experience is – we have seen it in action, up close
hundreds of times. We look forward to hearing what you
have to say about your processes.
What does the“n”in“DOWNTIME”stand for?
What does the“n”in“DOWNTIME”stand for?
Continuous Improvement Office
Continuous Improvement Office
Story by: Mark Ripley

9. Page 9
May 2021
Story by: Jennifer Walkley
Training is an indispensable requirement in reaching
your full potential at WVA and the Army eLearning website,
also known as Skillport or Skillsoft, gives you the opportu-
nity to hone your professional skills free of charge anytime,
anywhere.
With Army eLearning you can choose curricula to fit
your training requirements and help build your Individual
Development Plan with 24/7 access to over 3,500 web-
based courses in information technology, business leader-
ship, personal development and a host of other topics.
Courses can be taken either on a government computer
or at home – no CAC needed. Once you have completed a
course, forward your completion certificate to your training
coordinator so you can receive credit in TED.
To access Army eLearning, go to https://usarmy.skillport.
com. New users, click the“Register”link to get started.
Supervisor approval is required if you wish to complete
courses during the duty day. Request supervisor approval
by requesting the course via the Total Employee Devel-
opment system. If you opt to take the training from home
during non-duty hours, supervisor approval is not required.
If you have any questions, please contact the Workforce
Development Office at ext. 5376.
Train for free, anytime, anywhere
Train for free, anytime, anywhere
Workforce Development Office
Workforce Development Office

10. Hot weather safety
Hot weather safety
Protect yourself from heat injuries
Protect yourself from heat injuries
Here are some actions you can take to reduce your risk of heat related injuries:
• Stay cool - Choose lightweight, light-colored, loose fitting clothing. Stay in an air
conditioned space as much as possible. Use a sun screen of at least SPF 30 when
outdoors to protect against sunburn.
• Stay hydrated - drink plenty of fluids regardless of how active you are. Do not wait until
you feel thirsty. Hydrating today prepares you for tomorrow. Avoid sugary or alcoholic
drinks - these cause you to lose more body fluid. Replace salts and minerals lost in
sweat - consult your doctor before drinking sports beverages if you are on a low-salt
diet, have diabetes, high blood pressure or other chronic conditions.
• Stay informed - Pay attention to local weather forecasts and extreme heat alerts. Learn
the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses (link below). Infants, young children,
those over 65, overweight, physically ill or those who overexert during work or exercise
are more prone to heat-related illness.
• DO NOT leave children in cars - make sure you always check your backseat when
leaving your car to avoid accidentally leaving a child behind.
Learn the warning signs of heat-related illness:
Learn the warning signs of heat-related illness:
https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html
As temperatures begin to rise and more people take to outdoor activities,
the risk of heat-related injuries increase. Below are some helpful hints and
resources to keep you safe as you prepare to enjoy the summer.
THINK SAFETY
THINK SAFETY
Stay Safe!
Stay Safe!