General talks workload, tours small-caliber ammo plant

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -- The Army's leader in the munitions production industry told Lake City Army Ammunition Plant employees, here, he is working hard to set them up for success, but he also had an important question for them: "Are you with me?"

That's the succinct message Brig. Gen. Richard B. Dix, commanding general of the Joint Munitions Command, delivered to government employees at the Defense Department's small-caliber ammunition production facility during his town hall meeting, July 13.

Dix said he is focusing on finding new workload niches that fit within the core competencies of munitions production facilities in the organic industrial base, or OIB.

"My job is to go out and find workload," Dix said. "I have relationships and contacts in the Joint Force community and I know there is additional work we could do that is inside our core competencies."

Dix said the key is for the facilities to be efficient, effective and offer best value, or E2BV.

"If you're efficient, effective and offer best value, and you can account for every penny that comes into your facility and match it up with production that goes out, and balance and show the books, then you're an effective top-performing organization," Dix said.

He asked the employees about how they were progressing with real property accountability. Dix said he knows from experience it's a challenge, but that the Defense Department is expected to be audit-ready by Oct. 1, 2016.

"I spent the past two years watching audit readiness and going through the fight, so I'm bringing all those best practices over here and we will implement them as quickly as we can."

He also told employees to focus first and always on safety, and to take care of each other. Dix said his philosophy is to take care of people and to provide a leadership style that will bring everyone together as an E2BV organization.

While he focused on business, Dix also made a point of thanking the LCAAP workforce for their products, which he has used throughout his nearly 30-year military career.

"Your products have saved my life in six combat tours and other lives," he said.

He also praised the new LCAAP commander, Lt. Col. Eric Dennis, who, as the executive officer for the Defense Logistics Agency Distribution San Joaquin in California, worked under Dix during his previous assignment as the commander of the Defense Logistics Agency Distribution, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania.

"I've already seen what he is capable of doing," Dix said. "You're getting the best of the best, to follow the best."

Before concluding the town hall, Dix presented the 2014 U.S. Army Materiel Command Environmental Award for Environmental Quality to Sara Clark, LCAAP's remedial project manager and environmental coordinator, who accepted it on behalf of the government staff and Orbital ATK, who is responsible for environmental compliance on the installation.

Dix's visit also included a tour of the 7.62mm and .50 caliber, and 5.56mm and M885A1 enhanced performance round production facilities. It also included a stop at the indoor ballistics test facility, where the ammunition is tested.

"The Lake City workforce is outstanding; they are selfless, hardworking, and dedicated to our mission," said Dix. "They know our Soldiers count on them for small-caliber ammunition. They truly reflect LCAAP's ability to support the readiness of our nation's warfighters."

Dix has 14 organic industrial bases under his command and the trip to LCAAP was his seventh site visit since taking command, June 20. His only previous visit here was as the aid-de-camp to the commanding general of the U.S. Army Materiel Command in 2007.

"We had a great visit with Brig. Gen Dix," Dennis said. "Even though this was a quick trip, it was a tremendous opportunity for him to meet the workforce and gain a better understanding of our operations and what Team Lake City produces for the nation's warfighters every single day."

LCAAP is a government-owned, contractor-operated facility run by Orbital ATK. It is one of 16 installations of the Joint Munitions Command and one of 23 organic industrial bases under the U.S. Army Materiel Command.