PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. – Soldiers and Army civilians from the Medium Caliber Ammunition Product Office recently met with cadets from Rutgers University’s Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps to discuss career opportunities within the Army Acquisition Corps.
The event, held on Wednesday, April 16, included Lt. Col. Saleem Khan, Maj. Kenneth Welch, Kaitlyn Tani, and Rutgers alumnus Jeff Darbig, who briefed the cadets and covered Active Duty, National Guard/Reserve, and civilian career paths in Army acquisition.
The engagement offered an overview of the U.S. Army Acquisition Corps—its structure, mission, and how officers can transition into the branch. The medium caliber team also provided insight into the critical work taking place at Picatinny Arsenal, including the development and management of ammunition designed to equip warfighters with safe, reliable, and lethal capabilities.
Cadets asked a wide range of follow-up questions, expressing strong interest in scholarship opportunities, the process of entering government service, and timelines for transitioning into the Acquisition Corps after commissioning.
Darbig, an experienced acquisition professional and proud Rutgers graduate, shared his own career journey, helping cadets understand how to navigate the transition from school to federal employment and acquisition roles.
“The level of engagement from the cadets was impressive,” said Khan. “Their questions demonstrated a genuine interest in the Acquisition Corps and the vital role it plays in equipping our Soldiers.”
The outreach reflects the Army’s ongoing efforts to connect with emerging leaders and highlight the breadth of opportunities within the Acquisition Corps. Khan noted the strong interest from Rutgers cadets could lead to future partnerships, helping build a deeper talent pipeline for one of the Army’s most critical career fields.
“The Army Acquisition Corps continues to seek talented individuals dedicated to developing and delivering cutting-edge technologies and equipment to the warfighter,” Khan said.
Product Manager Medium Caliber Ammunition, a subordinate unit of Project Manager Maneuver Ammunition Systems (PM MAS) and the Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments and Ammunition (JPEO A&A), is located at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey. The office is responsible for the life cycle management of direct fire medium and cannon caliber ammunition, including 20mm, 25mm, 30x113mm, and 30x173mm rounds. This includes research, development, production, fielding, testing, industrial base support, and environmental impact assessments. PdM Medium Caliber supports a wide range of platforms across the joint force, including Army aviation and ground combat systems; Navy ships and aircraft; Marine Corps vehicles and aircraft; Air Force aircraft; and Special Operations aviation platforms.
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