The U.S. Army Joint Program Executive Office of Chemical and Biological Defense welcomed its incoming Joint Product Manager and paid tribute to the departing JPM at a Change of Charter ceremony at the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command Conference Center June 9.
Lieutenant Colonel Vincent F. Johnston assumed the title as the JPM; from the outgoing JPM, Lt. Col. Jonas Vogelhut.
Major Scott Schroer gave welcoming remarks and served as the narrator for the program. The host of the ceremony was the JPEO CBD Brig. Gen. Jess A. Scarbrough.
Schroer said that the role of the JPM for Reconnaissance and Platform Integration is to develop, procure, field and conduct life cycle management for multiple critical Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear acquisition programs that include Stryker NBC Reconnaissance Vehicle Sensor Integration, the Joint NBC Reconnaissance System 2 (Dismounted), the M93 series Fox NBC Reconnaissance System, Large Area Obscuration, and the Family of Tactical Obscuration Devices and Grenades to provide significant CBRN defense capability to tactical, strategic and homeland defense units.
At the beginning of the ceremony Voglehut's wife Paula Voglehut was presented with flowers and the Commander's Award for Public Service for exceptional meritorious service by Col. Kyle Burke, the joint project manager for NBC Contamination Avoidance and who Johnston will work for directly.
"Her involvement in unit and garrison activities, official functions, formal events and her total commitment to the Army mission have enriched the lives of the students and Soldiers in the community," Schroer said.
Johnston's wife, Pam, also received flowers as a welcome to the Aberdeen Proving Ground community.
Schroer said that the change of charter ceremony is a long held tradition. The charter of the JPM represents the special trust and responsibilities that they hold as they perform there duties.
After the presentation Scarbrough gave remarks.
Scarbrough said that during Vogelhut's three years as a JPM he was instrumental in accomplishing three things.
Scarbrough said that in 2006, Vogelhut deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom and participated in Warfighter forums to understand and to meet the urgent needs of all service CBRN forces. His team then managed the production build of 22 M93A1P1 Fox NBC Vehicles [survivability upgraded] and fielded the systems across the United States and in Southwest Asia.
"This ultimately saved lives when these vehicles later encountered improvised explosive devices and survived the attack while conducting route reconnaissance operations," Scarbrough said.
In 2007 Vogelhut partnered with the Project Manager Stryker Brigade Combat Team to achieve an Extended Low Rate Initial Production approval from the Defense Acquisition Board for 95 additional Stryker Nuclear, Biological, Chemical, and Reconnaissance Vehicles. His team initiated the production of the NBCRVs and enabled the fielding of systems to 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division and 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division for use in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In 2008, Voglehut led the effort to develop, test, and deliver the first Joint Nuclear Biological Chemical Reconnaissance System 2 (Dismounted) to the 12th Chemical Company, V Corps, in response to a Joint Urgent Operational Needs Statement. In 2009, his team fielded this capability along with the unit training and Soldier certifications to conduct sensitive site assessment and CBRN reconnaissance.
"To ensure this capability transitions to a program of record, Vogelhut led the Source Selection Advisory Council and recommended the selection for a $711 million contract, awarded in record time without protest," Scarbrough said.
"His team is now providing the long-term development of CBRN Dismounted Reconnaissance and Monitoring and Surveying sets, kits and outfits."
After Scarbrough's remarks, Vogelhut was presented with mementos.
"The charter is a symbol of office and is physically located with the Product Manager," Schroer said. "For the Product Management Office, the management responsibility and authority is clearly defined by its character."
Scarbrough presented Volgehut with his charter to keep as a memento of his services and the JPM, Reconnaissance and Platform Integration. He was also presented the Defense Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of his contributions during his tour of duty.
After Volgehut received the medal, Scarbrough handed the new charter to Johnston, and then Johnston and Vogelhut gave remarks.
During Vogelhut's remarks, he thanked his Family, friends and co-workers. He said that he enjoyed his time working at APG. He added that he felt like Johnston is well prepared for the job.
"I wish Lieutenant Colonel Johnston nothing but the best," he said.
During Johnston's remarks, he thanked people for coming to the event, and said that he is looking forward to getting to know the APG community.
"I am impressed with your dedication to the Warfighters," he said.
Lt. Col. Vincent F. Johnston
Born in Fort Benning, Ga., Johnston was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Chemical Corps from the University of Tampa R.O.T.C. program in 1990.
From 1990 to 1998, Johnston served in various command and staff positions throughout Europe, Bosnia and the United States, including commanding the 25th/ 69th Chemical Company in Hanau, Germany. He transitioned with the Army Acquisition Corps in 1998.
Johnston graduated from the University of Tampa with a bachelor's degree and holds two graduate level degrees. He received a master's in business administration from the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif., in 2004 and a master's in information technology and systems management from George Washington University in 2008.
Johnston's first acquisition assignment was with the office of the Program Manager for the Chemical Demilitarization where he served three years as the assistant project manager for the Chemical Stockpile Disposal Project. He then served two years as an APM and deputy manager with the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical & Biological Defense managing several detection projects. He spent two years on the Army Staff as the Department of the Army systems coordinator for Chemical & Biological Defense Systems.
His military education includes the Chemical Officer Basic and Advance Courses, the Nuclear Target Analysis Course, the Combined Armed Service Staff School, the Command & General Staff School, the U.S. Army Materiel Acquisition Management Course and multiple DoD acquisition training programs in the program management, systems engineering, testing and contracting fields.
Johnston's awards include the Meritorious Service, the Army Commendation, the Joint Commendation, and the Army Achievement Medals. He also received the Armed Forces Expeditionary, Afghanistan, and the Iraqi Campaign Medals.
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