ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- Lt. Col. David Schmitt, commander of Anniston Munitions Center spoke to the Anniston Rotary Club April 25.
Schmitt gave the group an overview of ANMC operations and discussed the organization's impact on the local community.
One impact Schmitt spoke of is in the environmental realm.
The Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided Missile Recycling Facility captures material for reuse or recycling.
"It is more environmentally friendly," said Schmitt. "We are putting less into the ground and the facility is economical as well. We are able to recoup almost half of our operating costs."
Schmitt also discussed his career as an ordnance officer, giving the club members an idea of what it is like to work in the field.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Soldiers disarm or render safe bombs and other explosive devices.
Schmitt said the U.S. military began to focus on explosive ordnances during WWII when Great Britain was in the midst of the Blitz.
The Army created the first ordnance school before America joined the war. This was followed by the Navy in December 1941.
Thirty years later, the Department of Defense combined all the schools under the Navy. It is now located at Egland Air Force Base in Florida.
He told the group about missions he participated in while deployed to Kosovo as well as the peacetime missions Soldiers have of assisting law enforcement agencies with unexploded ordnances in civilian areas.
"We have all the training and all the tools," said Schmitt. "It is dangerous work, but we are well trained for the job."
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