Collaboration is Key – Joseph M. Carson IV

Joseph M. Carson IV

COMMAND/ORGANIZATION: Capability Program Executive Ammunition and Energetics, Project Manager Combat Ammunition Systems
TITLE: Precision Guidance Kit production branch chief
YEARS OF SERVICE IN AAW: 22
DAWIA CERTIFICATIONS: Advanced in program management; Practitioner, engineering and technical management; Foundational in life cycle logistics
EDUCATION: MBA, Florida Institute of Technology; M.S. in mechanical engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology; B.S. in mechanical engineering, Lafayette College
AWARDS: : National Defense Industrial Association Firepower Award (2015); Project Manager Combat Ammunition Systems Outstanding Engineering of the Year award (2013); Department of the Army Civilian Service Commendation Medal (2013); Army Superior Unit Award (2009)

by Cheryl Marino

In a fast-moving production environment, Joseph Carson believes that no one succeeds alone. As a branch chief, he’s built his leadership philosophy around the belief that clear communication and true collaboration bring employees and stakeholders into alignment. When everyone understands the goal, and their role in achieving it, he believes that extraordinary results follow.

“The most important lesson I have learned is that success in complex acquisition programs hinges on fostering a high degree of professional partnership and collaboration,” he explained. “No single person or entity can solve the most difficult challenges alone. I apply this lesson daily by leading the team with a focus on clear communication and by working to align engineers, contractors, program managers and other stakeholders toward a common goal.”

This collaborative approach has been essential to navigating technical and programmatic hurdles and ultimately delivering a successful product to the warfighter.

As the branch chief for the M1156 Precision Guidance Kit (PGK) program, supporting Project Manager Combat Ammunition Systems (PM CAS) under the Capability Program Executive Ammunition and Energetics (CPE A&E), Carson leads a multi-disciplinary team of engineers and professionals. His key responsibilities include overseeing the entire production process, managing the program budget and guiding the system’s configuration to give the U.S. Army and its allies a decisive advantage.

“This work is critical to the Army’s mission, as it ensures a reliable, high-quality and affordable precision capability is delivered to Soldiers on schedule,” Carson said. “My leadership has been instrumental in the successful delivery of hundreds of thousands of PGKs to the warfighter and in achieving the program’s critical incremental improvements, directly providing a much-needed advantage on the battlefield.”

His greatest satisfaction comes from navigating complex challenges through collaboration, professional partnership and technical leadership. “Being part of a team that can overcome severe technical hurdles to bring a critical capability to the warfighter is immensely rewarding,” he said. “The PGK program requires fostering a high degree of collaboration between various government entities and our industry partners to ensure we could deliver an affordable and highly reliable critical munition system.”

Carson joined the Army Acquisition Workforce immediately after completing his B.S. in mechanical engineering in 2003. “My entire 22-year professional career has been in government service with the U.S. Army, specifically with the Combat Capabilities Development Command [DEVCOM] Armaments Center and PM CAS,” he said. “My academic foundation in engineering, which I later supplemented with a Master of Engineering and a Master of Business Administration, prepared me for the technical and managerial complexities of acquisition. I began as a systems engineer, which allowed me to apply my education directly to solving real-world challenges for the Army and our allies.”

Carson’s first acquisition position was as a systems and mechanical engineer on the Course Correcting Fuze/Guidance Integrated Fuze joint program, which evolved into the XM1156 PGK program. As one of the original team members during its technology demonstration phase, he was drawn to being at the forefront of developing a cutting-edge precision munition.

“I was involved in foundational work, including developing requirements, preparing procurement packages, conducting structural analyses and participating in the source selection process,” he said. This provided a deep foundational understanding of the system and allowed him to contribute throughout the life cycle. “It is a rare opportunity to be part of such an impactful program from the ground floor, and I feel fortunate to have had the experience.”

In his leadership roles on the PGK program, the primary goal was to successfully transition this critical technology from development into a fully producible and fielded system. Key achievements include leading the team through a successful urgent materiel release, delivering the first 3,000 PGKs to theater early in his career; spearheading a successful full materiel release and type classification, enabling the delivery of over 100,000 PGK fuzes; and guiding the program to meet its initial operational capability targets, while incorporating various upgrades and improvements to meet evolving Soldier needs.

“These accomplishments represent the successful achievement of the core goals I have worked toward throughout my time on the PGK program,” Carson said.

The most recent career development program Carson completed was the Army Management Staff College’s Civilian Education System Advanced Enterprise Leadership course in October 2022. “I highly recommend this and other leadership courses. Despite the time commitment, it is essential for leaders to continue to grow and adapt, and the methods offered by the various training courses are invaluable,” he said. “The self-reflection and peer assessments conducted during the training were particularly insightful, as they encourage the vulnerability needed to adapt one’s leadership style for the 21st century. I aspire to continue my professional growth, near-term, through the Acquisition Leadership Challenge Program II (ALCP), and in the future, I hope to enroll in a Senior Service College Fellowship (SSCF) program.”

Carson said the leadership courses he has taken have been instrumental in his career development and the success of the PGK program. “They provided me with a strong foundation in leadership, which I apply daily in my role,” he said. “I learned how to effectively lead a multi-disciplinary team, foster a collaborative environment and navigate complex challenges. These skills were crucial in overcoming the technical hurdles we faced on the PGK program and in successfully delivering a critical capability to the warfighter.”

Carson regularly mentors young engineers and acquisition professionals on his team, and said his advice is always centered on the idea that “everyone’s path to success is unique.”

“There is no set recipe; you must be flexible and adjust your approach for every person you collaborate with. Training is the most effective way to gain confidence, trust your judgment and grow as an individual and a leader. I encourage them to work closely with their peers, be open to feedback and learn from their mistakes.”

Outside of work, Carson said he is known as a father and an overall family man.

“I openly talk about my love for my family and the value of the time we spend together. I believe this speaks volumes to character and directly ties to the ‘people first’ mantra. In my personal and professional life, people are the most important element,” he said. “Being able to succeed, and even fail, as a team is what builds trust, resilience and ultimately, success. Just as I am dedicated to the growth and well-being of my family, I am equally committed to creating a supportive environment where my team members can thrive and achieve our collective mission.”

“Faces of the Force” highlights the success of the Army Acquisition Workforce through the power of individual stories. Profiles are produced by the Behind The Frontlines team, working closely with public affairs officers to feature Soldiers and civilians serving in various Army acquisition disciplines. For more information, or to nominate someone, go to https://asc.army.mil/web/army-btf/.

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