Picatinny Arsenal, NJ –
The Joint Program Executive Office Armaments and Ammunition, Project Manager Close Combat Systems, welcomed a new leader during a virtual change of management ceremony at the Linder Conference Center here July 8.
After serving as the PM CCS for four years, Col. Jonathan Slater relinquished leadership responsibilities to Col. Russell Hoff. The ceremony was presided over by Brig. Gen. Vincent F. Malone II, JPEO Armaments and Ammunition and Picatinny Arsenal commanding general.
Slater subsequently retired from the Army during a virtual ceremony after 32 years of service.
“Jon has served with distinction as the (PM CCS) since July2016,” said Malone. “He’s led the Army’s most diverse project management offices. Close Combat Systems contributions are on the forefront of contingency operations around the globe, expanding multiple services.”
Malone listed several of Slater’s many successes, thanked him for his unwavering dedication and support to the Army mission, then recognized the new leader of PM CSS.
“Colonel Hoff, today we recognize you as the new Project Manager for Close Combat Systems,” said Malone. “Coming directly from the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pa., you are no stranger to Picatinny Arsenal. Although you’ve never served here, as an infantryman, especially one who’s served in combat developments, you know the Picatinny community well. I know you possess the leadership, integrity, and technical expertise to be highly successful in your new role within the JPEO Armaments and Ammunition team.”
The ceremony continued with the symbolic transfer of authority by the passing of the Project Manager Close Combat Systems’ colors from Slater to Hoff. In the passing of the colors, the outgoing commander formally relinquishes the mission and welfare of the Soldiers and their families to the incoming commander.
“I’ve been blessed with an outstanding team which I’ve grown to love and care for and I’ve made several lifelong friends here,” said Slater.
He expressed gratitude to the PM CCS team and industry partners for their hard work, leadership and accomplishments, and welcomed the new commander of the team.
“Welcome to the PM CCS family; you’re going to love being part of this team,” said Slater. “Living at Picatinny Arsenal is really a special place. I wish you much success in your command and I ask you to take good care of the members of this office. As you can probably tell, they’re very close to my heart.”
Hoff thanked Slater for his kind words and expressed his gratitude to be a part of the Close Combat Systems family and JPEO team.
“Our combined government industry efforts enable our Army and military to be world class and the best in the world; I’m grateful to be part of that legacy,” said Hoff.
Due to the pandemic and other obligations, Hoff’s family attended the ceremony virtually.
“The family and I are excited to be a part of Picatinny and the larger community; I look forward to our time here,” he said.
According to its official website, PM CCS is committed to providing smaller, lighter, more lethal munitions that ensure increased mobility and counter-mobility to the full spectrum of Army forces. PM CCS actively partners with Soldiers to develop and field equipment that directly addresses their needs on the battlefield and beyond. PM CCS products include: Countermine and Explosive Ordnance Disposal; Improvised Explosive Device Defeat; Area Denial (networked munitions); Combat Munitions (shoulder-launched munitions; grenades, and non-lethal ammo and systems); and Support Munitions (demolitions, pyrotechnics).