Civilian Takes Charge at Milan Arsenal
MILAN, Tenn. – The Milan Army Ammunition Plant has a new leader. The change of command ceremony is typically something that happens every two years, but current and former employees said this year is different. It is a twist on tradition. “You won’t see much of a difference, just this one uniform,” said outgoing commander LTC Norbert Fochs. For the first time ever, civilian Britt Locke is taking over the plant. “It’s a big deal because we’ve always had a military commander, so in a symbolic sense, it’s a big change for the community,” Locke said. “I’ve worked for I don’t know how many commanders here over since 1973, when I actually came here,” said retired arsenal employee Pat Brew. “Commander after commander, I went through change of commands, and to see a civilian take over was historic.” Locke said he will be in charge of a small government staff of Army civilians like himself. “Military come, and they go every two years, where civilians will be here for a lot longer period of time,” Brew said. Former arsenal employees told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News this transition is a good thing for the plant. Leadership there will be more stable – something workers said they need after hundreds of layoffs this past year. Locke said he is focusing on plant safety, and attracting new tenants. “There are companies that are very interested and hopefully close to making deals with American Ordnance, and the Army to locate here,” Locke said. He said he hopes to continue working at the arsenal until he retires several years from now. Fochs is taking on a new assignment at the Pentagon.
