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. SALVOU.S. Army Watervliet Arsenal – Since 1813 August 2019
‘Hang it – Fire!’
Guard qualifies with arsenal
mortars
Page 4
Family Day returns
What to do, expect
Page 3
Cannon production returns
to‘Big Gun Shop’
New machines installed in
historic building
Page 8

2. Page 2 The Salvo
Commander’s Corner
Col. Milton G. Kelly
The work they do here supports the Department
of Defense mission by providing the tools that make the
Joint Force lethal. It is important to remember that the
DOD mission is Watervliet Arsenal’s mission.
In this Salvo, we see the future of the arsenal as a
new apprentice class begins. These apprentices will be
future arsenal machinists and leaders. The apprentice
program is one of the best tools we have to ensure we
continue to have the best, highly skilled machinists
across DOD.
We also see members of the New York Army Na-
tional Guard training with mortar systems produced
here. These systems provided indirect fire support to
these citizen soldiers, some of whom are employees at
the arsenal, during deployments in support of the Glob-
al War on Terrorism in 2004 and 2008.
In order to support those on the front lines, the
arsenal needs to be at the forefront of manufacturing
technology and constantly seeking out new ways to
streamline and enhance our capabilities. As you will see
inside, new machines are continuing to be installed as
part of a multi-million dollar modernization effort.
These new machines will carry the arsenal forward and
ensure we continue to deliver the right product, on
time, every time.
Lastly, final plans and preparations are being made
for the return of the Arsenal Family Day. It has been sev-
en years since the arsenal last held this family event for
employees. Family Day gives Team Watervliet a moment
to share their work-family with their at-home families.
I am pleased to be able to bring Family Day back as a
salute to our workforce for everything they do.
Proud to serve!
Greetings to all. This is the final Salvo of the 2019 Fiscal
Year. What a year it has been! I continue to be impressed
beyond words by Team Watervliet. Day in and day out, these
men and women continue to execute their tasks with the level
of efficiency and professionalism our nation deserves.
Commander: Col. Milton G. Kelly
Public Affairs Officer: Matthew I. Day
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.
SALVOU.S. Army Watervliet Arsenal – Since 1813
COL Milton G. Kelly
60th Commander, Watervliet Arsenal

3. Page 3August 2019
After several months of careful planning and
coordination by members of the Family Day panel, the
arsenal is set to welcome the return of this once annual
event.
The planning committee was able to reduce costs
and eliminate the need for paid tickets to ensure as many
people as possible can attend this salute to the work-
force.
The federal workforce is being invited to participate
in a slew of events and activities including: live music,
rock climbing wall, face painting, zorb soccer, lawn Jen-
ga, dunk tank, photo booth, bounce house, Sumo suit
wrestling, potato sack races, Kan Jam, tug of war compe-
tition, and softball.
In addition to activities, the event will feature
multiple veterans help organizations, law enforcement
booths, New York Army National Guard soldiers and
equipment and an Abrams tank from Benet Laboratories.
The event is expected to have a huge turnout with
over 1,000 tickets already handed out according to Lau-
rie Vroman, Family Day planning committee chair.
“It is my pleasure to be able to work with the plan-
ning committee to ensure we bring back Family Day and
in a big way,”said Col. Milton G. Kelly, Watervliet Arsenal
commander,“It is important that we take time to show
the workforce that their hard efforts and labors through-
out the year are appreciated.”
Arsenal gates will open at 10 a.m. with events and
activities occurring throughout the day until 4 p.m.
Anyone interested in competing in the softball or tug of
war competition should contact the Morale Welfare and
Recreation office at 518.266.4832.
After a seven-year hiatus, Family Day returns to the arsenal with a laundry list of events and
activities for all ages September 14.
The poster that announcing the return of Family Day was sent to the
workforce July 10.
Story by: Matthew Day
Arsenal Family Day
September 14, 2019
SAVESAVE
The DateThe Date
• Entertainment
• Live Music
• Games
• Food
• Family
Family Day returns
What to do, expect

4. Page 4 The Salvo
The 2-108 crews trained in the
fundamentals of mortar gunnery
and developed the skills and team-
work they will need to be effective
in combat. The training culminated
in a live-fire exercise known as table
six. The live-fire exercise challenges
crews with real-world fire missions.
The Soldiers used a new tool
for this year’s qualification, the Mor-
tar Fire Control System. The MFCS
uses digital technology to receive
fire missions and aiming corrections
for crews to zero in on targets. The
MFCS gets guns on target quick-
er and increases the likelihood of
first round hits improving combat
efficiency and lethality. The 2-108
mortar teams became the first in the
New York Army National Guard to
qualify using MFCS.
“We typically operate our
weapons in a degraded mode using
tried and true methods, this is the
maximum capability that this
weapon has in the U.S. Army right
now,”said Sgt. 1st Class Ian Blunt,
2-108 mortar platoon sergeant.“It
provides us with highly accurate
fires, highly responsive and it also
gives us precision-guided mortar
capabilities.”
Throughout the qualification
table, crews would receive fire
missions through the MFCS’s tablet
prompting the squad leader to alert
the crew and give the commands as
to which type of projectile and how
many propellant charges to use.
Mortar teams from 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, New York Army National Guard
qualified using mortar systems produced at Watervliet Arsenal July 22.
‘Hang it – Fire!’
Guard qualifies with arsenal mortars
Story by: Matthew Day
Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment fire an M120 120mm mortar system during table six gunnery at Fort Drum, New York July
22. The crews became the first in the state to qualify using the digital Mortar Fire Control System.
A soldier with the New York Army National Guard calibrates the Mortar Fire Control System
before gunnery to ensure that the computer supplies accurate data to the mortar crews during
Table six gunnery at Fort Drum, New York July 22.

5. Page 5August 2019
Within seconds, the mortar crew
had several rounds in the air before
the first round impacted – a goal
that gives the simulated enemy little
room or time to react to incoming
fires.
“Thank you for an outstand-
ing system,”Blunt said.“This is the
most accurate, fastest system we
have been able to field in the 15
years I have been in the army. Every
indirect-fire infantry element in the
Army would benefit from using this.”
Please see ‘Hang it – Fire!’ 7 
2-108 Infantry mortar crews fire M120 120mm mortar systems during Table six gunnery using the latest digital fire control system at Fort Drum,
New York July 22. The gunnery consisted of both day and night fire engagements that test both individual and team competency skills.

6. Page 6 The Salvo
The quarterly town hall serves as an important vehi-
cle for allowing the commander and arsenal leadership to
deliver important information to the workforce about the
health of the arsenal, where it stands in completing its
mission as well as the latest construction projects hap-
pening currently and in the near future.
During the town hall, Joseph Turcotte, deputy to the
commander, spoke about the significance of the Army
Civilian Corps Creed and the role Army Civilians play to
support the Department of Defense mission.
“When you first came to work here, you took an
oath – we are soldiers in khakis,”Turcotte said. We are as
important to the war effort, we support the Warfighter di-
rectly. Understand why you are here and the importance
of your mission not only to the Watervliet Arsenal but to
the Warfighter and our country.”
Col. Milton G. Kelly, Watervliet Arsenal commander,
highlighted the threats facing the nation and its Warfight-
ers.
“Everyday the threat increases, this is why we come
to work. All these products we build are in support of the
Warfighter and the threats they face,”Kelly said.“So I need
everyone to come to work and give their best effort.”
Kelly discussed the current state of arsenal manufac-
turing and the future outlook of production.
“We still have work to do, we still have not met our
goal,”Kelly said.“We must continue to work through our
challenges and problems, it is time for action.”
Turcotte laid out future workload and how efforts to
expand capacity line up with future work.
“We are getting better at reading what our demand
signals,” Turcotte said.“We got work to do and our leaders
want us to do more of it and faster.”
Other topics shared with the workforce were the
status of public works projects, safety initiatives, fire and
emergency services, and the return of Arsenal Family Day
scheduled for September 14.
Kelly closed the town hall with a challenge for the
workforce to do better and help improve mission perfor-
mance.
The following employees were presented with
awards for their years of service and contributions to
the arsenal’s mission success: John Baxter and Gregory
Marcklinger (25 years); Laverne Yelverton, Craig Edlund,
and Joseph Turcotte (40 years); LeToshia Abell, Steve
Plaske, Marc Koffman, Leonard Mallery, Dave Frowein,
Melissa Ryder, Elizabeth Hayward, and Louis Horvath
(Commander’s Coin); Michael Morgan, Alan Matheson,
Cale Kneer, Richard Hall, Leo Bentley, Ryan Hall, and Mi-
chael Rudes (Certificate of Appreciation); Josh Roy (Certif-
icate of Achievement from the Office of Personnel Man-
agement); Robert Powers, John Michaels, David Jones
(Certificate of Achievement); Kyle Buono (Certificate
of Achievement from Maj. Gen. Daniel Mitchell); Kevin
Grabowski (Achievement Medal for Civilian Service); and
George Roach (Commander’s Award for Civilian Service).
Commander challenges workforce
Quarterly Town Hall wrap-up
Col. Milton G. Kelly, Watervliet Arsenal commander, challenged the arsenal workforce to do
more at his quarterly town hall August 20 and 21.
Story by: Matthew Day

7. Page 7August 2019
Apprentice class 88 is comprised of 14 people with
various backgrounds including prior military service, cur-
rent reservists, the civilian machinist industry and former
arsenal machine tool operators.
Before swearing in the new apprentices, Kelly issued
a personal challenge.
“We are helping you get the education and train-
ing you need to become a highly-skilled machinist, but I
expect you to help grow the arsenal stronger in return,”
Kelly said.“You are going to help carry us forward by
increasing our output while maintaining the same level of
quality this arsenal is known for.”
The apprentice program first began in 1905 and
has since served as an important tool to develop highly
skilled artisans capable of producing cannon, howitzers
and mortars. The aspiring arsenal machinists will work
at the arsenal while concurrently completing academic
study. Upon completion, apprentices earn an Associ-
ates degree in Advanced Manufacturing Technology at
Hudson Valley Community College in nearby Troy, New
York while working and learning their craft under arsenal
machinists.
Watervliet Arsenal Commander Col. Milton G. Kelly administered the Army Oath of Civilian
Office August 19, and with it, the latest apprentice class will begin their four-year journey to
become arsenal machinists.
Story by: Matthew Day
Apprenticeclass88carrieson104yearlegacy
New apprentice class joins arsenal ranks
This was a rare opportunity for personnel from Wa-
tervliet Arsenal to interact with the Soldiers who use the
products produced here. Many were unaware that the
systems they train and depend on are produced mere
hours from their homes.
The M120 is the largest of three major mortar
systems produced at Watervliet Arsenal. The system is
capable of firing several different types of projectiles
including high explosive, smoke, incendiary, illumination
and inert training rounds. The crews also trained on the
M224 60mm and M252 81mm mortar systems during
this year’s exercise.
‘Hang it – Fire!’
 CONTINUED FROM 5
A mortarman hangs a 120mm training round over the muzzle of an
M120 mortar during table six gunnery at Fort Drum, New York July 22.

8. Page 8 The Salvo
Cannon production returns to‘Big Gun Shop’
New machines installed in historic building
Watervliet Arsenal will install new machines in the historic‘Big Gun Shop’to increase cannon
production capacity.
Story by: Matthew Day
The demand in increased capacity results from the
Army’s prioritization of long-range precision artillery to
meet potential near-peer threats.
“Long-range artillery has been in the arsenal’s wheel
house since 1883,”said Joseph Turcotte, Watervliet Arse-
nal deputy to the commander.“The Army’s prioritization
on long-range artillery is the push behind expanding our
manufacturing capacity and driving our modernization
efforts. It is imperative that we have the tools necessary to
fulfill our mission to the Department of Defense and this is
an important step in completing that goal.”
Built in 1889, the quarter-mile-long‘Big Gun Shop’
is the arsenal’s oldest manufacturing facility. The building
earned its name by being home to 16-inch seacoast and
battleship gun production. The arsenal’s big guns were
used in every conflict from the Spanish American War
through the Persian Gulf War. Major cannon work ceased
during the drawdowns of the 1990s resulting in machines
being removed and cannon work shifting to other build-
ings. Since then, the building has been primarily used for
minor work including paint, preservation and composites.
A large portion of the facility was left unutilized.
In response to increased workload demands, the
arsenal is increasing production capacity making the‘Big
Gun Shop’the perfect location to house new equipment
on the 143-acre installation. The machines will perform
a variety of manufacturing functions including turning
operations, straightening and abrasive blasting.
“New requirements and more machines to produce
at increased rates are what is driving this latest batch of
equipment,”said Tim Fontaine, industrial engineering
specialist with the arsenal’s capital improvement office.
In addition to increasing capacity, new machines
being installed will future-proof the arsenal’s capabilities
by ensuring the arsenal can meet tomorrow’s production
requirements.
“Being able to produce future weapon systems is a
primary focus when planning new machines,”said James
Kardas, industrial engineer with the arsenal’s capital
improvement office.
The‘Big Gun Shop’revitalization is the latest in a se-
ries of recent capital investment projects at the arsenal.
Which, according to Watervliet Arsenal Commander Col.
Milton G. Kelly, reflects the Army’s commitment to the
historic arsenal.
“Investment in new machines is a testament of the
Army’s faith and trust in the arsenal to perform its mission
and do it well,”said Kelly.“These new machines help us be-
come more efficient and respond to future requirements.”
Workers pour concrete into reinforced foundation forms for a new
machine at Watervliet Arsenal’s‘Big Gun Shop’.

9. Page 9August 2019
Players needed for Tug of War, Softball
Morale Welfare and Recreation
Softball and Tug of War teams will compete for glory and bragging rights during Arsenal
Family day.
Since January, 107 new employ-
ees have gone through the New Em-
ployee Orientation program coordi-
nated by the Workforce Development
Office.
The latest group of new em-
ployees included WVA’s Apprentice
Class 88 in addition to new non-ap-
prentice employees. The timing of
this new group’s orientation coincid-
ed perfectly with the Commander’s
town hall such that they were able
to attend the town hall on only their
second day at WVA. This allowed
them to see nearly the entire work-
force and to hear the latest updates
and workload predictions from our
Commander, Deputy to the Com-
mander, and other presenters.
The new employees were also
able to witness awards presented to
WVA personnel, including those for
40 years of service.
What a great way to welcome this
group of new employees to Team
Watervliet.
Anyone with comments or sug-
gestions for improving the New
Employee Orientation program are
encouraged to contact the Workforce
Development Office at usarmy.wa-
tervliet.tacom.mbx.workforce-devel-
opment@mail.mil or by calling LERN
(5376).
New employee orientation
Workforce Development
Employees interested in competing in the softball
or Tug of War games at this year’s Arsenal Family Day
have until September 11 to sign-up.
The Tug of War competition will earn the winning
team the coveted title of the Commander’s Cup and will
have their team name forever inscribed on the Com-
mander’s Cup plaque in the command building.
To sign-up, as an individual or team, please contact
Sheryl Melican at 518.266.4832 before the deadline.
Be on the look out, the Child Youth Services
Morale Welfare and Recreation Fall Festival
is returning this October. Dates and times
will be announced soon!
CYS MWR Fall Festival
returns this October
The Workforce Development Office continues to onboard new employees and orientates
them to working at Watervliet Arsenal.
Story by: Jennifer Walkley
Col. Milton G. Kelly, Watervliet Arsenal commander, swears in new employees at the start of
their new employee orientation here August 19.

10. Page 10 The Salvo
Women’s Equality Day, a date which celebrates the passage of the 19th Amendment to the
Constitution which guaranteed all American women the right to vote and forever changed
the American electorate, was recognized August 26.
One of the most significant changes to the
U.S. Constitution came with the passage of the 19th
Amendment. Before this new Federal Law, women were
excluded from the election process. Unable to vote,
women lacked a voice on issues that directly affected
their ability to share in the American dream.
Below are some facts about Women’s Equality Day
released by the Defense Equal Opportunity Manage-
ment Institute.
“The women’s suffragist movement was successful
because a group of women –and men –came together
to promote change. Changing the Constitution was a
lengthy and difficult struggle.
Between 1878 and 1920, champions of voting
rights for women worked tirelessly, although their strat-
egies varied. Some tried to pass suffrage acts in each
state. Others challenged male-only voting laws in the
courts. More public tactics included pickets, silent vigils
and hunger strikes. Suffragists were heckled, jailed and
sometimes physically abused.
By 1916, most of the major suffrage organizations
united behind the goal of a constitutional amendment.
In 1918, President Woodrow Wilson changed his
views and publicly endorsed women’s rights to vote.
The political balance began to shift.
On May 21, 1919, the House of Representatives
passed the amendment. Two weeks later, the Senate
followed. Suffragists focused their efforts on getting 36
states to ratify the proposed amendment.
By March of 1920, 35 states had approved the
amendment, one state shy of the two-thirds needed to
pass. Tennessee cast the final vote for ratification. Secre-
tary of State Bainbrige Colby certified the ratification on
August 26, 1920.
Women’s Equality Day gives us an opportunity to
reflect on the many benefits of true equality and the
role of women in our public life. Women in public ser-
vice and government have long served this nation by
working to clear barriers, enforce laws, implement new
ideas, and change people’s attitudes.
(Source: https://www.deomi.org/DownloadableFiles/humanRelations/
documents/MPOSTF-WED-20190614.pdf)
Women’s Equality Day facts
Equal Employment Opportunity Office
Story by: Matthew Day
The 2019 poster released by the Defense Equal Opportunity Man-
agement Institute to commemorate Women’s Equality Day. DEOMI
releases informational products for each congressionally mandated
special observance.

11. Page 11August 2019
ISO 9001:2015 certificate reissued
Continuous Improvement Office
The audit was completed and the arsenal expects
to be issued a certificate to ISO 9001:2015 for a new
three year period. Watervliet’s system involves almost
every organization and the support of many people
contributed to the positive outcome.
This audit was very high level in that the audi-
tor was looking for compliance in how the arsenal
described and structured our system. The auditor
gathered objective evidence and references to specific
examples of compliance. He also discussed opportuni-
ties for improvement. Next year, our internal audit pro-
cess will help Watervliet improve the way it manages,
utilizes and presents its ISO 9001:2015 system. The next
surveillance audit will go deeper into the supporting
procedures and processes of the arsenal’s system and
look for objective evidence of process control and sys-
tem effectiveness. The Continuous Improvement Office
is looking forward to providing training and workshops
to help everyone understand their role in the system
and how their accomplishments support the certifica-
tion process and help Watervliet Arsenal succeed.
The original imperative for the certification was to
meet customer requirements and enable Watervliet Ar-
senal to remain competitive in a global market. Those
requirements still exist, even more so today when the
arsenal is facing challenges from private sector manu-
facturers for mission work.
One of the requirements to achieve globally rec-
ognized certification is an external system audit by an
internationally accredited registrar. Watervliet’s registrar
is National Quality Assurance.
Certification is valid for a three-year term. Contin-
uous internal auditing is required. In the first two years
of the term, external surveillance auditing is required to
validate the organization’s maintenance of the manage-
ment system. In the third year, a full system reassess-
ment is required to determine if the certificate can be
reissued.
ISO 9001 is an international standard for busi-
ness management and process control. It focuses on
customer satisfaction and provides a template built
on global best practices called a quality management
system (QMS) for reliable provision of products and
services to meet customer requirements. It requires
demonstrated commitment by management to define
performance goals for the organization and continual
improvement to mitigate risks and maximize opportu-
nities.
Watervliet was first certified in 1998 and has con-
tinuously maintained certification through 21 years of
internal and external audits. In that time, the standard
has been modified three times, each revision requiring
equivalent modification of the QMS. A four-digit num-
ber after the colon in ISO 9001:2015 describes the revi-
sion year. In this case, the standard was most recently
revised in 2015.
A National Quality Assurance auditor com-
pleted a six and a half-day full system reas-
sessment to determine if Watervliet Arsenal
could be certified for another three-year
term Tuesday, August 27.
Story by: Karen Heiser

12. THINK SAFETYStay Safe!
Flu Prevention Talking Points:
Nobody enjoys getting the flu, and for the Watervliet Arsenal, the flu
can have real-world impacts on not only its workforce but its ability
to perform its mission. Below are some things you can do to help the
mission and your fellow team members.
1. Get vaccinated
Your best defense again contracting the flu is to get vaccinated. The health clinic receives
vaccines for members of the workforce each year. This is at no cost to employees.
Additionally, most insurance plans cover vaccines at little or no cost - vaccines are given at
most local pharmacies.
2. Avoid contact with sick people
If someone is not feeling well or has had flu-like symptoms, limit your contact and exposure
with them as much as possible. If you feel flu-like symptoms, avoid unnecessary contact with
your co-workers. Remember, if you have a fever you are contagious and can spread the virus
up to 24 hours after the fever breaks.
3. Wash your hands and clean surfaces
Wash your hands anytime you come in contact with someone who may not be feeling well
with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth - these are prime entry points
for the flu. Clean and disinfect surfaces that may be contaminated.