PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. (March 31, 2015) -- "I can't tell you how proud I am to lead this group. It's an honor," said John F. Hedderich III at his Assumption of Responsibility Ceremony March 27 as the new director of the U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center, or ARDEC.
Maj. Gen. John F. Wharton, the commanding general of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM), administered the federal service oath to Hedderich.
Afterward, Wharton shared a few words, praising Picatinny for its work. ARDEC reports to RDECOM, which in turn is part of the U.S. Army Materiel Command.
"I tell everyone when I'm on the road, and get times to talk, that Picatinny is a national treasure," said Wharton. "When you think about the history [of Picatinny], and you think about what is established here … throughout your history, you have provided the nation what it needs, when it needs, and where it needs it, providing that lethal edge. So, we can't do it without you."
During the ceremony at the Lindner Conference Center, Hedderich thanked his family and the ARDEC workforce for their support, then shared two photos with the audience. The first photo was of his three children (Justin, Erin and Ryan) as kids.
"When I had my first tech-base job, I looked toward the future. I put this photo up, and said 'These are the future warriors. That's why we're here. For them,'" said Hedderich.
The second photo was of fallen U.S. Army Capt. Sean P. Grimes, a physician assistant, who was killed in Iraq on March 4, 2005 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his patrol.
"This reminds me of people who aren't with us anymore," explained Hedderich. "[Grimes] was one of the casualties from New Jersey, and I went to his wake. When I went there, we paid our condolences and listened to the family speak, and when they spoke, they said 'My son died, but he was doing what he loved to do.'
"It changed the way I thought about my work," added Hedderich. "Until this day, I keep his (Catholic) Mass card in my wallet. It's my penicillin, my repellent--whatever you want to call it. When I get down, I just take it out, look at it, and go 'This is why you're here, John.'"
Secretary of the Army John McHugh named Hedderich director of ARDEC on Feb. 8.
As director, he provides strategic leadership and technical management of ARDEC's annual budget of over $1.3 billion, 64 laboratories, and a workforce of more than 4,000 government and support personnel, including more than 2,000 engineers and scientists dedicated to delivering superior lethal and non-lethal armament solutions to the warfighter.
Before becoming director, Hedderich served as the executive director of the Munitions Engineering and Technology Center from June 2008 to February 2015. He also served as director of the Armaments Engineering Technology Center (2007-2008), director of Enterprise Management (2003-2007), as well as senior technical executive at the Close Combat Armaments Center and associate technical director of Systems Concepts and Technology (1998-2002).
Hedderich earned his bachelor's in mechanical engineering from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey. His significant awards include the Achievement Award for Civilian Service (1998), Army Superior Unit Award (2000 and 2009) and the National Defense Industrial Preparedness Award (1998).
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The Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, which has the mission to develop technology and engineering solutions for America's Soldiers.
RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. AMC is the Army's premier provider of materiel readiness -- technology, acquisition support, materiel development, logistics power projection, and sustainment -- to the total force, across the spectrum of joint military operations. If a Soldier shoots it, drives it, flies it, wears it, eats it or communicates with it, AMC provides it.
Related Links:
U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) homepage
U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) homepage
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