Picatinny Chapter focuses on workforce.

• Author: Menker, Janice M.
• Position: Women in defense: a national security organization

The Picatinny Chapter of Women In Defense is striving to increase opportunities for the workforce at Picatinny Arsenal, in Morris County, N.J. Picatinny is home of the U.S. Army Armaments Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC).

That decision set the tone for much of what the chapter has achieved on behalf of its members. The chapter even spelled it out in its bylaws, which stared that the chapter's objective was "to strive for the betterment of the workforce and local municipalities, as well as to provide community service."

The Picatinny chapter was established as the association's second regional unit on June 25, 2002, with 35 members. Its first president is Barbara Machak, from ARDEC.

Since its founding, the chapter has grown more than 100 members, many of whom are U.S. government employees at the arsenal. Offices represented include the ARDEC Program Executive Office Ammunition, Program Manager Soldier Weapons, PEO Ground Combat Systems, and Defense Contract Management Agency, Springfield.

The diverse membership includes small business entrepreneurs, senior managers from large corporations, engineers and administrative professionals. A number of corporations and academic institutions are also represented, such as: Alliant Techsystems, Baldini Resource Associates, Business Plus Corporation, Camber Corporation, General Dynamics, L-3 Communications, Magistro Associates, New Jersey Institute of Technology Defense Procurement Center, Robbins-Gioia LLC, STG Inc. and Wise Web Connections.

When the WID chapter was forming, leaders from the NDIA Picatinny Chapter provided guidance and financial support. Chapter Board Chairman John Amerspek and President Ralph Campoli were instrumental in fostering the WID chapter's development, Machak noted.

"The affiliation with 1 was a key factor in establishing the WID chapter," she said. "Through NDIA's support the chapter has continued to grow and been able to offer members a wide variety of programs."

At Picatinny, Machak said, "WID members share in the Army value of family, and that extends to the local industry partners and community. The members believe that reaching out to the local community to share pride in how we collectively support national security is important."

The chapter, for example, contributed to a "Rosie the Riveter" award ceremony held by the Women's Outreach Center of Morris County College. More than 60 women from the county who worked during World War II were recognized...