PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. - Approximately two dozen teenagers enrolled in the Woodland Park Junior Police Academy received a firsthand look at the advanced technology, training, and capabilities that support America's warfighters on the modern battlefield.
Among the highlights of the Aug. 19 visit to Picatinny Arsenal was an immersive introduction to the high-stakes world of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Armaments Center’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technology Division, where students learned about the critical EOD mission and the advanced technology used to save lives.
The EOD profession is one of the most dangerous occupations in the military. On average, there are more than 6,000 brave men and women serving as EOD technicians who willingly put themselves in harm’s way to protect the lives and property of others.
While visiting the EOD facilities the teens were introduced to cutting-edge equipment designed to mitigate explosive threats and reduce human exposure to danger.
DEVCOM Armaments Center EOD team members showcased several specialized tools, including:
Robotic Quadrupeds: Students observed demonstrations of a four-legged robotic dog. Equipped with advanced sensors for reconnaissance, surveillance, and threat detection, this quadruped is designed to navigate high-risk environments in place of a Soldier.
Wearable Protective Gear: The teens examined the heavy, high-tech wearable protective suits worn by EOD technicians to shield them from blast fragments and overpressure during disposal operations.
The youngsters also spent time with Sgt. Michael Turner of the Picatinny Arsenal Police Department, where they received a weapons safety overview and participated in tactical night vision training. The night vision exercises offered the students a rare opportunity to experience how low-light technology dramatically improves situational awareness and visibility in the field.
Jason Calixto, an eighth-grader who has participated in the Junior Police Academy for three years, said the visit to Picatinny helped him explore his interest in a future career in law enforcement.
“I think I learned more about the law in general, how the police are run,” he said. “What it takes to be a police officer, to join the military and the qualifications for all these different things."
Emmanuel Menendez, a student who was participating in the program for the first time said the visit "gave him an opportunity to learn about law enforcement, weapons and the military."
The Junior Police Academy is designed to give young people an understanding of law enforcement, public safety and the responsibilities that come with serving a community. The Picatinny Arsenal visit expanded on those lessons by introducing the students to the military, emergency response and technology missions taking place just a short distance from their hometowns.
The visit also highlighted the close relationship between Picatinny Arsenal and the surrounding communities.
The Woodland Park Junior Police Academy was the third of its kind to tour Picatinny this year. The Ringwood/Wanaque Junior Police Academy and the Passaic County Sheriff Junior Cadet Academy had TWO separate visits to the Picatinny Arsenal Fire Department earlier this summer.