FIELDING THE FUTURE
PUSHING THE LIMITS F MAJ. SAMUEL G. BUTLER
COMMAND/ORGANIZATION: Product Manager for Next Generation Weapons, Project Manager for Soldier Lethality, Program Executive Office for Soldier
TITLE: Assistant product manager YEARS OF SERVICE IN WORKFORCE: 2 YEARS OF MILITARY SERVICE: 13
DAWIA CERTIFICATIONS: Level II in program management
EDUCATION: MBA with concentration in consulting and data analytics, University of Notre Dame; B.S. in civil engineering, United States Military Academy at West Point
AWARDS: Bronze Star (2nd award); Meri- torious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal (4th award); Army Achievement Medal (3rd award); Valorous Unit Award; Meritorious Unit Award; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Iraqi Campaign Medal; Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal; Parachutist Badge; Ranger Tab; Special Forces Tab; Combat Diver Badge; Combat Infantry- man Badge; Expert Infantryman Badge
or Maj. Samuel Butler, striving to maintain overmatch capabilities for Soldiers is all in a day’s work. As the assistant product manager for Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) within the Program Executive Office for Soldier, he leads a team that is tasked with developing two new rifle systems that are revolutionizing close-combat capabilities.
“Technologically, this was not thought to be possible a couple of years ago,” Butler said of the 6.8 mm NGSW – Rifle (NGSW-R) and the NGSW – Automatic Rifle (NGSW-AR). “Some folks characterized it as ‘breaking physics,’ ” but Butler said these weapons already are improving lethality and engagement distances.
“I’m incredibly fortunate to work on a program that is so relevant to the warfighter,” Butler said. “Soldiers and Marines have fought with a 5.56 mm M16 variant since the mid-1960s and a version of the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon since the mid- 1980s. Te capabilities of 5.56 mm ammunition have largely plateaued.”
Te NGSW program is in the prototype phase. Tree industry partners are work- ing with Butler’s team and some of the best shooters in the Army to develop the weapons. Recent tests at Fort Benning, Georgia, proved that the 6.8 mm projec- tile moves at a higher velocity and outperforms the ammunition currently in use by the Army. “It is unlike anything currently available,” Butler said. In addition, the NGSW-R and NGSW-AR have advanced combat optical gunsights that provide six- power magnification over the standard four-power optic on existing military rifles. Equipped with sensors and laser range finders, Soldiers are able to home in accu- rately on targets at 600 meters as opposed to the 300 meters of modern weapons.
Butler has been in acquisition for two years, previously serving as an infantry offi- cer and a U.S. Army Special Forces detachment commander, where he developed critical relationship skills that serve him well in his new role. “As a special forces officer, my team and I relied on host nations, partner forces and the conventional Army to accomplish our missions. Oftentimes, the critical support we were given was not required, but offered because of common ground, authentic relationships and an understanding of each other,” Butler said.
“Similarly, in the acquisition world, our program relies on authentic relationships across organizations for success. On a near-daily basis, I work with the Soldier Lethality Cross-Functional Team at the Futures Command; our agreements officer and his team at the Army Materiel Command; Soldiers to inform design direc- tion at the Forces Command; and the science and technology folks at the Combat Capabilities Development Command. If relationships are strained, it becomes very difficult to find solutions and achieve successes.”
Butler’s philosophy about relationships carries over to NGSW industry partners. “Te work environment is challenging and dynamic, and the relationships with our vendors are very transparent and open. Tey trust us, and we are welcome in the doors. We see behind the curtains and understand their risks and problems.”
https://asc.ar my.mil
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