This publication is published weekly and contains information about, for, and of interest to the Island Workforce. Island Insight Submission: https://home.army.mil/ria/index.php/contact/public-affairs Sections: Arsenal Traffic/Construction Army Community (ACS) Building/Space Closures MWR Outdoor Recreation Active Duty/Reserve Zone Employee Assistance Program Safety Spotlight Education/Training Review Equal Employment Defense Commissary Agency/PX April: Month of the Military Child Opportunity Focus Arsenal Archive April: Sexual Assault Awareness & Morale, Welfare & Recreation Healthbeat Prevention Month (MWR) Notes for Veterans April: Child Abuse Prevention Month MWR Leisure Travel Office Around the Q.C. April: Military Saves Month Child & Youth Services April 1: April Fool's Day April 5: Gold Star Spouses Day Message from Maj. Gen. Shapiro on COVID-19 at RIA April 9: National Former Prisoner of War I have some important messages to Recognition Day April 12: Easter Sunday share with the team at the Army April 14: U.S. Air Force Reserve Sustainment Command and Rock Birthday Island Arsenal. Ladies and April 15: Tax Day gentlemen, we are living through April 19-25: National Volunteer Week unprecedented times. No one knows April 21: Days of Remembrance & Holocaust Remembrance Day how the coronavirus outbreak will April 22: Army Earth Day end, when it will end, or what it will April 22: Administrative Professionals' all mean in the long run. Right now, Day though, we have to deal with the April 23: U.S. Army Reserve Birthday near-term challenges presented by April 24: National Arbor Day April 30: National Military Brats Day the outbreak. In the last few weeks, May: Asian Pacific American Heritage things have changed by the day – Month and sometimes by the hour, or even the minute. I expect that the May: National Military Appreciation changes and challenges will continue to come at us hard and fast, Month and that we’ll continue to need to adjust and adapt as needed. I May: Month of the Military Caregiver May 1: Silver Star Service Banner Day know you’ve probably been dealing with some anxiety and May 1: Loyalty Day confusion lately, and maybe a little fear as well. There’s May 3-9: Public Service Recognition absolutely nothing wrong with that – and to be honest with you, Week I’ve had those feelings myself. But it’s how we deal with those May 5: Cinco de Mayo feelings, and how we refuse to let them prevent us from doing May 8: Military Spouse Appreciation Day May 10: Mother's Day what needs to be done, that really matters. Note: This May 13: Children of Fallen Patriots Day commentary has been updated. Before it stated retirees were no May 15: Peace Officers Memorial Day longer permitted on post to visit the clinic except for special The contents of the Island Insight are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the Army. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Garrison or the Department of the Army. circumstances and to fill prescriptions. It now states they are permitted for normal use (pending further HQDA guidance). (More: www.dvidshub.net/news/366026) Joint Service Partnership Maintains Deep-Drawn Cartridge Case Readiness The Quad City Cartridge Case Facility is a state-of-the-art, Army- owned facility, which is capable of producing deep-drawn steel and brass cartridge cases, such as those used with the U.S. Navy’s 5”/54 caliber system and the U.S. Army’s 105mm tank ammunition. The QCCCF also has the capability to produce 40mm to 155mm cartridge cases for all U.S. services. The Joint Munitions Command maintains control and oversight of all production equipment associated with the QCCCF. In 2005, the Base Realignment and Closure Act relocated equipment from Riverbank Army Ammunition Plant in Riverbank, Calif., to RIA, and in 2011, the QCCCF successfully proved-out equipment on the steel case line. At that point, the Army did not have requirements to produce steel cartridge cases; however, brass cartridge cases were produced from fiscal years 2012 through 2014 to support the U.S. Air Force and foreign military sales to allies. In 2014, the facility was laid away due to lack of sufficient requirements, and the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center at RIA performed standby maintenance procedures through 2016. (More: www.army.mil/article/233959) Honoring Our Female Workforce The U.S. Army Joint Munitions Command (JMC) is proud to celebrate diversity in the workforce during Women’s History Month. In March 2020, we honor the women who have commanded, led, and managed our organization and ammunition installations to provide the Joint Services and our Allies lethal munitions. Women’s History Month has a set of important milestones starting on March 8th, 1857, when women in New York City staged a labor protest over their working conditions. A Women’s Day Celebration happened in New York City in 1909, followed by a more global effort known as International Women’s Day (held for the first time on March 8th, 1911) with the United Nations taking up the cause as a sponsor since 1975. President Jimmy Carter declared the week of March 8th as Women’s History Week in 1980. Congress expanded the observation to include the entire month of March in 1986. As new opportunities to serve emerged, members of the civilian and military community have embraced new challenges, striving for equal treatment amongst their peers. From the courageous acts of female Soldiers, World War I’s Nurses Corps, World War II’s Women’s Army Corps, to the opening of combat jobs to females for full integration in 2016, women have consistently succeeded in more challenging roles in the military. (More: www.army.mil/article/234113) The contents of the Island Insight are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the Army. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Garrison or the Department of the Army. RIA-JMTC Message to Its Workforce What it means to be part of the Essential Critical Infrastructure: We are part of the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) which is defined as the worldwide industrial complex that enables research and development as well as design, production, delivery and maintenance of military weapons systems/software systems, subsystems and components or parts as well as purchase services to meet U.S. Military requirements. The Department of Homeland Security identified employees of critical infrastructures as essential during the COVID-19 response. The Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce for the DIB includes workers who support the essential products and services required to meet national security commitments to the Federal Government and U.S. Military. On the list of individuals included in this workforce is manufacturing/production workers. Due to our inclusion as an essential critical infrastructure, we have been implementing measures to protect the workforce while maintaining continued production of critical infrastructure. My commitment to you is to continue to balance workforce safety with that of national security and defense. The work you do is essential to the military, our nation, and fight against COVID-19. – Col. Martin J. "Jimmy" Hendrix III, commander, RIA-JMTC RIA-JMTC COVID-19 Impact This information is specific to the Rock Island Arsenal – Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center – RIA-JMTC is a designated Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce and therefore must continue mission. Currently steps are being taken to mitigate the risks to the workforce. Everyone who can telework, will. Anyone high risk who cannot telework will be offered administrative leave and must provide supporting documentation within 10 days of their leave request. Anyone caring for someone high risk can request liberal leave. RIA-JMTC has implemented other precautions including observing social distancing, staggering break times, installing additional hand sanitation stations and reducing all in-person meetings and utilizing VTC and telecons when possible. If the HPCON is raised again, RIA-JMTC will reassess what that means for the future state. Arsenal at Health Protection Condition C ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. – (March 25, 2020) The Army directed all Army installations, including Rock Island Arsenal to change to Health Protection Condition C or Charlie to help control the ongoing spread of the novel coronavirus/COVID-19. Over the past few weeks, the Arsenal has gradually increased its methods for protecting people from the coronavirus outbreak. Throughout this process, RIA has followed guidelines issued by Army health organizations and by the Centers for Disease Control. Under this directive, Rock Island Arsenal commands and organizations will shift to key and essential functions defined as those functions in support of COVID-19 operations and life, health, and safety of our people and our installation. Leaders at all levels will ensure mitigation measures are in place to protect the force from the spread of COVID- 19. “We at the Rock Island Arsenal are part of a larger community – the Quad Cities community – and I and leaders of other organizations on the Arsenal have been working with leaders and experts in the Quad Cities as this situation has evolved, said Col. Stephen Marr, commander, US Army Garrison-Rock Island Arsenal. “We’re doing our best to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus outbreak, and we hope to come up with innovative ways to serve our retirees and others who rely on The contents of the Island Insight are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the Army. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Garrison or the Department of the Army.