Changing of the guard for product manager offices at Picatinny Arsenal

by Michael Chambers

PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. - Honoring age-old military tradition, various offices under the Portfolio Acquisition Executive Agile Sustainment & Ammunition (PAE ASA) held command change ceremonies recently. Typically, senior level military officers and SES civilian employees rotate through offices in lead or deputy roles to ensure institutional knowledge and expertise is preserved and shared throughout the wider organization.

Headquartered at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey and under the command of Maj. Gen. Christopher Schneider, PAE ASA plays a vital role in maintaining Army readiness – delivering the capabilities, expertise, and innovation that ensures our Warfighters and allies are equipped to succeed in any environment.

Incoming and Outgoing at PM CAS

Col. Alicia Johnson, Project Manager Combat Ammunition Systems (PM CAS), hosted Change of Charter ceremonies on Picatinny Arsenal for three product manager (PdM) offices.

In the first ceremony, Lt. Col. Ian A. Welch transferred command of PdM for Artillery, Mortars & Precision Systems to Lt. Col. Mark D. Milligan.

Followed by a separate ceremony where Lt. Col. Rafael R. Acevedo relinquished management of PdM for Precision Attack Cannon Munitions to Mr. Raymond Colon.

Later that month, Lt. Col. Christopher W. Sanders assumed command of PdM for Extended Range Artillery Munitions.

Promotion and New Role for Head of PM MAS

Lt. Col. Micah Rue was promoted to colonel on August 3 during a ceremony hosted by the PAE ASA Maj. Gen. Chris Schneider. Following the promotion, Col. Rue was installed as the Project Manager Maneuver Ammunition Systems (PM MAS) taking over from Lt. Col. Jamie Michel.

Shifting Places at PM CCS

Col. Isaac Cuthbertson, Project Manager, Close Combat Systems (PM CCS), hosted a joint Change of Management Ceremony for three product teams on August 4.

Ms. Tinesha Nicholas relinquished management to Lt. Col. Justin Bond for Product Manager Terrain Shaping Obstacles (PM TSO).

Mr. Michael Burke relinquished management of Product Director Joint Ammunition and Weapon Systems (PD JAWS) to Ms. Tinesha Nicholas.

While Ms. Anita Polesky (Acting) relinquished management of Product Director Combat Armaments & Protection Systems (PD CAPS) to Mr. Michael Burke.

The event is a traditional ceremony where management of an office is transferred from one person to another. The unit’s guidon represents the integrity and authority of the office.