Picatinny hosts Media Day

By Edward Lopez, Picatinny Arsenal Public AffairsMay 20, 2015

PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. (May 20, 2015) -- More than a decade after the last similar event, Picatinny Arsenal invited members of the media and local community leaders to visit the arsenal May 4 to gain a better understanding of its activities, programs and mission.

The Media Day and Public Professional Briefing attracted both print and broadcast media, along with officials from the various municipalities that surround the arsenal, one of the largest employers in northern New Jersey.

Security and budget concerns had served as a counterweight against staging a similar event since the last one in 2003. But momentum had been building to draw back the curtain on the activities at the arsenal.

Countless hours of planning and coordination culminated in the event, which Senior Commander Brig. Gen. Patrick W. Burden described as a "resounding success" in a message to the workforce.

"I congratulate all of you for the successful execution of Picatinny Media Day," Burden said.

"Everyone did an outstanding job showcasing your areas of expertise to the media and local community. All participants left the event with a better understanding and appreciation of what we do in support of the DOD."

Visitors to the arsenal had a wide range of informational opportunities, including hands-on demonstrations, displays with subject matter experts, and four excursions that took guests to facilities distant from the main display area, which centered on the Lindner Conference Center.

Television crews, because of their need for strong visual elements, were drawn to the firing and lanyard-pull of the M119A3 Howitzer and firing from the Common Remote Weapon Station. Visitors also had the opportunity to fire small arms at the firing range.

Robert Testa, the technical lead with the Remote Weapons Branch, was among several Picatinny employees who appeared on television interviews.

"Try to prep your words and stay on point," Testa offered as advice to fellow employees who might find themselves in a similar situation. "If you stray, the context of the interview will also stray.

"The reporters were professional but there is always some sound bite or text that doesn't accurately reflect what you were trying to convey," Testa added. "They were professional, and I can appreciate the difficulty of their work."

Dan McCarthy, a mechanical engineer, also appeared on camera. "The only thing I would do differently in the interview would be to ask where to look beforehand," he said. "I was unsure whether I should look at the camera or at the reporter.

"For the most part they are only looking for a sound bite and probably won't use your interview in its entirety. I thought the segment went very well."

Media Day 2015

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