PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. -- Project Manager Soldier Weapons hosted a special meeting of Tiger Den, Cub Scout Pack 147, of nearby Rockaway Borough in its main conference room for a special small arms weapon discussion and display.
Ten enthusiastic young scouts, and twice as many parents and siblings who accompanied them, had the opportunity to learn a little bit about military small arms weapons.
They also had the chance to touch and look through the sights of a variety of small arms that service members currently use. The weapons were set up on a long table in the middle of a rectangular room in PM SW's headquarters.
Maj. Michael Martin, deputy product manager for individual weapons, spoke to the boys during the 90-minute visit. He and Col. Philip Clark, deputy chief of staff for Program Executive Ammunition, answered many questions.
Clark is active in local scouting. He is a former product manager for small and medium caliber ammunition at Picatinny.
Martin said he agreed to host the visit because "the Boy Scouts as a whole is a great organization that promotes honor, discipline and other ideals found in the military."
"I think the parents and the scouts were pleased with the experience and left with a little more knowledge and a greater appreciation of the weapons that we in the military must depend on during war."
The two described the small arms displayed as "exact replicas of those used by U.S. service members around the world."
"The only difference between these and the ones our service members use is that these weapons can't fire live rounds," Martin explained.
Also at the event, the pack's den leader, Colleen Erickson of Rockaway. "It's the first I've seen a group of 6-7-year-old boys sit quietly, paying attention, completely consumed with an event for over an hour," Erickson said. "It was the best event the boys have attended. They were still talking excitedly about it to their friends two weeks later."
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