Rock Island Arsenal Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center

August is Anti-Terrorism Awareness Month, and the dedication and vigilance of our team is vital for safeguarding our mission and ensuring our continued readiness.

Terrorism is an enduring, persistent, worldwide threat to our nation and Army readiness. Understanding the threat and taking prudent protection measures is fundamental to preventing our adversaries from impacting Army readiness.

A persistent terrorist threat requires persistent vigilance.

Today, on National Purple Heart Day, we honor the brave men and women who have been wounded or killed while serving our country. Their sacrifices and valor embody the highest ideals of service and patriotism.

Let us never forget the courage and commitment to the 1.8 million Purple Heart recipients.

🎉 Shoutout to some of our RIA-JMTC stars! 🌟

👏 Mr. Todd Jaeger and Mr. Mike Mitchell received the prestigious Army Civilian Service Commendation Medals at the recent U.S. Army TACOM town hall! This award is given to employees who have established a pattern of excellence, and your dedication and service inspires us all!

🥳 Mr. Patrick Bonertz celebrated a remarkable 25 years of service, and our Deputy Commander, Mr. Greg Lupton, was honored for his incredible 20 years. Your commitment and hard work are the backbone of our team.

🏆Later in the afternoon, Ms. Lori Witte was recognized for her extraordinary feat of providing extensive preparatory work, event planning and overall facilitation for a highly successful onsite audit. Your meticulous efforts ensured everything ran smoothly!

Join us in congratulating these amazing Department of the Army Civilians for their outstanding achievements!

🇺🇸 We were honored to welcome U.S. Army Logistics, HQDA G-4 Lt. Gen. Heidi Hoyle and U.S. Army Materiel Command Executive Deputy to the Commanding General Ms. Marion Whicker to our factory today to witness firsthand the incredible strides we're making to support the U.S. Army mission! 🏭✨

Hoyle and Whicker toured our facility, diving deep into our cutting-edge capabilities and modernization efforts. The highlight of the visit was showcasing our Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence Battle Damage Repair and Fabrication program! 🔧💥

BDR&F is at the forefront of innovation, ensuring our Soldiers have the best support possible, as quickly as possible. The future of Army logistics is being shaped right here at RIA-JMTC with this program, and it's thanks to the dedication and expertise of our talented workforce.

Together, we are challenges into opportunities, proving that there's no obstacle too big for our team. 💪 Let's keep pushing the boundaries and making history, one innovation at a time!

🚗✨Huge shoutout to the rock star team at the Rock Island Arsenal Auto Service Center. When U.S. Army Materiel Command Deputy Commanding General and acting Commanding General Lt. Gen. Christopher Mohan was visiting RIA-JMTC last week, his rental car needed a quick fix. The team jumped into action and saved the day!

Today, RIA-JMTC Commander Col. David Guida recognized three employees with a commander's coin for excellence for their skill, speed and top-notch service. 🛠👏 Keep up the fantastic work! 💪

🚀 Exciting News! Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Randy George and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer recently visited RIA-JMTC to discuss our cutting-edge advancements in manufacturing and modernization. Discover how we are paving the way for the Army's future. Read the full article here: https://www.army.mil/article/278507

Chief of Staff of the Army and Sgt. Maj. of the Army make monumental visit to Rock Island Arsenal to discuss advanced manufacturing and modernization at RIA-JMTC Rock Island Arsenal, Ill.—Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Randy George and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer made history by visiting the Rock Island...

🎉Ready to LEAP into leadership excellence! 🚀

This year's RIA-JMTC Leadership Enhancement (through) Awareness Program has taken our future leaders on an exciting journey, packed with team building physical challenges and strategic problem solving exercises! 💪🧠 Our LEAP class has shown that great leaders are built on a foundation of physical tenacity, mental agility and unwavering commitment to the core Army values: Loyalty, Duty, Honor, Respect, Selfless Service, Integrity and Personal Courage. 🌟

Join us in celebrating these future leaders as they continue to inspire and lead with excellence! 🙌

Are you interested in joining this program in 2025? Keep an eye on your RIA-JMTC email for announcements asking for volunteers!

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​Almanac: "V for Victory" On July 19, 1941, Prime Minister Winston Churchill urged people to use two extended fingers as a sign of resistance to the N**i war machine

🎉Farewell, Gerald Kroeger! 🎉

Join us in celebrating the incredible career of Gerald Kroeger, who is retiring after more than 20 years of dedicated services as a U.S. Army Soldier and another 20+ as an Army Civilian! 🚀 His unwavering commitment and passion for service inspires us all. As he embarks on this exciting new chapter, we wish Gerald nothing but joy, relaxation and countless adventures.

Thank you for your outstanding service and for being a pillar of our community. You will be greatly missed!

Falls can happen anywhere and at any time! Common fall-related activities include:
- Icy and snowy conditions
- Entering or exiting vehicles
- Sports
- Parachuting

Stay mission ready! Learn more about how you can prevent falls.
https://ph.health.mil/topics/discond/ptsaip/Pages/Slip-Trip-and-Fall-Related-Injuries.aspx

🌟🔧 Happy Anniversary, Rock Island Arsenal! 🔧🌟

On this day in 1862, Congress passed an act to establish our incredible arsenal, marking the beginning of a legacy in innovation and excellence. Today, the manufacturing of weapons and equipment that once defined Arsenal Island now falls under the proud name of Rock Island Arsenal Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center.

For more than 160 years, we've been the powerhouse behind top-tier military equipment, thanks to our skilled and dedicated workforce. of producing high-quality and on-time solutions while for the next fight for the U.S. Army and our U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) allies.

Here's to more than 160 years of making history and many more to come! 🛠️⚙️

On this day in 1862, Congress passed an Act establishing the Arsenal at Rock Island.

🎆 🇺🇸 Happy Independence Day from RIA-JMTC! 🎇 🇺🇸

As we celebrate the 4th of July, let's take a moment to honor our roots. From George Washington and the Continental Army, to today's brave Soldiers, the spirit of patriotism and dedication to support and defend the U.S. Constitution continues to thrive.

Each Independence Day is a powerful reminder of how the Army meets our nation's defense needs, and how RIA-JMTC produces high-quality and on-time readiness for the Warfighter while modernizing for the next fight. Join us in reflecting on our history and expressing our deepest gratitude for everyone who serves. Thank you for your unwavering service and patriotism!

Enjoy a safe and joyous celebration! 🎉 🎆

🎆 Safety First, Sparkle Later! 🎇

As we gear up for spectacular Fourth of July celebrations, let's make sure our festivities are safe and sound! Remember, the best fireworks show is one that everyone can enjoy without any accidents. 🌟 Check out these fireworks safety tips on how to light up the night safely and let's make sure this holiday is one to remember for all the right reasons. Stay safe and have fun! 🚀

📣 Welcome aboard! 🚀

We're thrilled to welcome nine new members to the RIA-JMTC team this week! On July 1, 2024, they stood with Col. David Guida and took the solemn oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, joining a proud tradition of dedication and service.

Civilian service in the U.S. Army isn't just a job—it's a unique and rewarding way to serve the nation across diverse occupations and geographic areas. As our new teammates embark on this exciting journey, they'll discover the countless to explore their passions, build a stronger community and become the best versions of themselves.

Let's give a warm welcome to the new members of the RIA-JMTC team! Your journey has just begun, and we can't wait to see the incredible things you'll achieve.

🔧⚙️Rock Island Arsenal Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center had the honor of welcoming the teams from Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and U.S. Army TACOM to our historic factory today! 🎖🚀 Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly, DLA director, Brig. Gen. Michael Lalor, TACOM commanding general and Col. David Guida, RIA-JMTC commander, spoke about the ways RIA-JMTC can increase our workload by bolstering U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and support DLA's mission.

To showcase our capabilities, our talented team in the foundry demonstrated a spectacular metal pour, highlight the precision and expertise that set RIA-JMTC apart. 🔥🛠

From our skilled workforce of artisans to cutting-edge technology, we're ready to rise to the challenge and ensure our nation's defense logistics are in top gear.

🎉🎉 Let's give a big RIA-JMTC send-off to Randy Martinson as he heads into retirement!🎉🎉

After 15 years of dedicated service to our country, Randy is finally taking a well-deserved break. And for everyone asking if he’s going to become a government contractor... the answer is a resounding NO! 😂 Randy's got bigger plans and we really hope those plans involve that amazing shirt he wore!

For his retirement, Col. David Guida presented Randy with a piece of Rock Island Arsenal, a Commander's Coin for Excellence, a signed line drawing of Rock Island Arsenal and a retirement certificate and pin.

Enjoy your retirement, Randy! Here’s to endless relaxation and adventures! 🥳👏

Fruits 🍌🍇🍎and vegetables 🍅🥕🥒 are more than just rabbit food. Military Health experts say they can power your next workout and help lower cancer risk. Celebrate and learn how to add extra servings to your meals today! https://www.army.mil/article/277535/fresh_fruits_vegetables_are_vital_for_supporting_service_member_health_performance

First rule of hydrate club: Stay hydrated.

Second rule of hydrate club: Tell everyone you know about hydrate club.

Third rule of hydrate club: Just a minute, need a bathroom break.

Summer is here, which means increasingly high temperatures and humidity. While the heat may allow for more time outdoors, it can also increase your risk for dehydration and related illnesses. Stay hydrated and drink before you feel thirsty. The amount of water you need may increase if you are doing a strenuous activity. Bring enough water to drink with you for the duration of your trip. When in a park, make sure to locate areas where you can access drinking water along your trip route.

Learn more ways to at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/heat-illness.htm

Image: A moose standing in a lake, putting its head under water at Denali National Park and Preserve. NPS/ Claire Abendroth

Big cheers for the RIA-JMTC team in the foundry! On June 6, we made history by successfully pouring the LARGEST part in at least two decades—a whopping 7,125-pound pintle system for the Corps of Engineers! 💪⚙

Read more about this momentous achievement here:

RIA-JMTC workforce achieves historic milestone with largest foundry pour in decades Rock Island Arsenal, Ill. – The Rock Island Arsenal-Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center has reached a remarkable milestone, setting a new benchmar...

⚒⚙️ Let's take a break from celebrating and celebrate Safety Month with a shoutout to RIA-JMTC's own Don Mason! ⚙️⚒

While attending training at Heritage Hall, Don notice a safety concern that was going unnoticed. Thanks to his keen eye and dedication to safety, the issue was validated and promptly corrected. For his outstanding awareness and commitment to a safer workplace, Angel Mojica, RIA-JMTC's safety and occupational health manager, awarded Don with a safety coin.

At RIA-JMTC, we pride ourselves on our unwavering commitment to safety and the vigilance of our team members. Every action counts, and heroes like Don ensure we all stay safe and strong!

Today, as we celebrate the , we honor the bravery and sacrifice of our recipients like Master Sgt. John F. Baker. He is the Quad Cities' only Medal of Honor recipient, and showed extraordinary courage in the face of overwhelming danger during the Vietnam War. Baker exemplified the highest ideals of our U.S. Army values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless-service honor, integrity and personal courage.

Baker's selfless actions saved many of his fellow Soldiers, demonstrating a profound commitment to his team and country.

His story reminds us of the unwavering dedication and heroism that have defined our Soldiers for 249 years. Let us reflect on the legacy and valor of all Medal of Honor recipients who inspire us to strive for greatness and serve with honor.

You can hear Baker talk about his life and legacy here: https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.89611/

Medal of Honor - United States Army Medal of Honor recipients, citations, and other resources concerning the nation's highest medal for valor in combat.