COMMAND/ORGANIZATION: Product Director Medium Caliber, Project Manager Maneuver Ammunition Systems, Program Executive Office for Ammunition
TITLE: 40 mm research, development, testing and engineering lead; project management officer
YEARS OF SERVICE IN WORKFORCE: 15
DAWIA CERTIFICATIONS: Level III in program management; engineering; and business – cost estimating and business – financial management
EDUCATION: M.S. in technology management, Stevens Institute of Technology; B.S. in industrial engineering, Lehigh University
AWARDS: Achievement Medal for Civilian Service; Commander’s Award for Civilian Service
Acquisition career yields better tools for Soldiers
By Susan L. Follett
2016 was a good year for the Program Executive Office for Ammunition: its Program Manager for Maneuver Ammunition Systems (PM MAS) won the 2016 David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award from DOD and was named the Project Management/ Product Director Office Team of the Year (O6 Level) by the Army Acquisition Executive’s Excellence in Leadership Awards.
But as 2017 kicks off, its staff isn’t likely to rest on those departmental laurels. And Project Management Officer Jim Terhune, who’s the research, development, testing and engineering (RDT&E) lead for 40 mm ammunition within PM MAS, is no exception. Among the items on his to-do list is leading the engineering and manufacturing development of the Target Practice Day/Night/Thermal 40mm grenade training cartridges, which provide Soldiers with a low-cost, non-dud-producing, environmentally friendly ammunition with a visual impact signature that can be seen day or night. Terhune’s leadership has directly contributed to keeping the program within the original cost, schedule and performance goals while maintaining the sensitivity of the competitive environment.
Terhune is part of the product director for medium caliber, which is responsible for life cycle management for medium- and cannon-caliber (25 mm, 30 mm and 40 mm L60) direct-fire ammunition for Army aviation and ground combat systems, Navy ship and aviation platforms, Marine Corps vehicle and aviation platforms, Air Force aviation platforms and U.S. Special Operations Command aviation platforms. Among the Army platforms it supports are the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, the Apache and Blackhawk helicopters and the Ground Combat Vehicle.
Before his current role he worked for PM Mortars, which reported directly to the Army’s Tank Automotive and Armaments Command (now known as the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command) and later became part of PM Combat Ammunition Systems. “I also supported work with PM Paladin; PM Mines, Countermines and Demolitions; and PM Advanced Field Artillery System, which became PM Crusader,” he said. Originally hired for his operations research background, he noted that he “found the financial, contractual and production analyses of ammunition interesting as well.”
Terhune spent 11 years as a contractor at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey, before joining the Army Acquisition Workforce, and he has seen a lot of change in the 26 total years he has worked in defense acquisition. “The most noteworthy change has been the turnover and replacement of employees,” he said. “I started in April 1990, just after a hiring freeze that would last 10 years. The large influx of new personnel—including myself—in the early 2000s was a significant change.”
Briefly describe what you do in your position and why it’s important to the Army or the warfighter.
I am responsible for managing all current and future RDT&E programs for low-velocity (LV) and high-velocity (HV) 40 mm ammunition. They include the 40 mm LV and HV Day/Night/Thermal programs, the 40 mm LV Increased-Range Anti-Personnel round, the 40 mm LV Short-Range Anti-Personnel round, the 40 mm LV Door Breach round, the 40 mm LV M433E1 Warhead Improvement round and the 40 mm HV Improved-High Explosive Dual Purpose Airburst round. These programs will bring new and improved capabilities to the warfighter.
What’s the biggest challenge you face in your work?
Managing seven Acquisition Category III 40 mm RDT&E programs, currently pre- and post-milestone B. The 40 mm HV and LV programs have not had RDT&E funds for new technologies in approximately 20 years. We have the funding now, and building the team members to support these programs and acquisitions has been the most challenging—we’re working to find the right people and trying not to stretch our current staff too thin. We’ve found that keeping lines of communication open and continuous updating are the best ways to combat current staffing shortfalls.
How did you become part of the Army Acquisition Workforce, and why?
After supporting several program management offices as a contractor for over 11 years, I joined the Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW) in 2001. I felt that joining the AAW would help me further my career and make more significant contributions in supporting the military.
What do you see as the most important points in your career with the Army Acquisition Workforce, and why?
I recently had the opportunity to attend the Civilian Leader Advanced Course at the Army Management Staff College. The four-week course was extremely informative and worthwhile. Interacting with leaders from other Army organization was invaluable, and I plan to incorporate what we learned about critical thinking and strategic thinking into my everyday work. I also plan to incorporate what we learned from exercises on teamwork, problem solving and personality traits.
Can you name a particular mentor or mentors who helped you in your career? How did they help you?
Patricia Felth, a former business manager and deputy program manager who has since retired, was responsible for my initial employment in the defense industry and supported me later on when I moved to the civilian workforce.
What advice would you give to someone who aspires to a career similar to yours?
When possible, complete your certifications as soon as you can. Volunteer to get exposure to new and different opportunities.
“Faces of the Force” is an online series highlighting members of the Army Acquisition Workforce through the power of individual stories. Profiles are produced by the U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center Communication and Support Branch, working closely with public affairs officers to feature Soldiers and civilians serving in various AL&T disciplines. For more information, or to nominate someone, please contact 703-805-1006.
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