CW5 Joseph Armata Jr

CW5 Joseph Armata Jr. enlisted in the Army in 1980 and attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Dix, NJ. He began his Army career as a Utilities Equipment Repairer with Bravo Company, 725th Maintenance Battalion, 25th Infantry Division.

In 1989, Staff Sergeant Armata received his Warrant Officer appointment as an Armament Repair Technician, serving with Bravo Company, 503rd Forward Support Battalion, 3d Armored Division. He helped shape 1st Brigade, the Division’s largest Brigade receiving laudatory comments from the V Corps Command Logistics Assistance and Inspection Team in shop safety, maintenance management, and bench stock procedures. During Operation Desert Storm he used Battle Damage and Repair techniques to overcome critical repair parts shortages, resulting in operational armament systems when the brigade entered the ground war.

His notable assignments include Camp Doha, Kuwait with technical oversight of a $54M theater stock Combat Service Support Contract-Kuwait. He ensured contract terms compliance impacting operational readiness rates (averaging above 93%). Operation Vigilant Warrior validated this because equipment readiness ensured mission success and that the Kuwait prepositioned set was mission ready.

As Project Officer/Training Developer/Writer, Ordnance Training Division, Combined Arms Support Command (CASCOM), Fort Gregg-Adams, VA, he was key in the development of Force XXI doctrine. He contributed to the critical task selection process for the Multi-capable M1 Abrams and M2/3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle maintainer initiative. Lastly, the 913A Armament Repair Advance Course successfully converted to the Total Army Training System bringing the Reserve and Active Components on the same training base.

In 2002, CW5 Armata provided technical assistance and advice to the Egyptian Army on matters related to fielding, New Equipment Training, and sustainment training of M1A1Abrams Tanks and M88A2 Hercules Recovery Vehicles as the Organizational and Direct Support maintenance advisor for the M1A1 Technical Assistance Field Team (TAFT), Cairo, Egypt. He directly impacted the Egyptian Army's maintenance and sustainment capabilities in support of the M1A1 tank by planning, coordinating and executing the Egyptian Army's first ever M1A1 Tank Turret Maintenance course.

CW5 Armata’s career culminated as a Senior Training Developer/Writer, CASCOM serving in the development of Force XXI doctrine. He was responsible for the analysis and implementation of Professional Military Education for over 1,500 Warrant Officers in the 913A, 914A, and 915A/E career management fields. His knowledge, skills and abilities contributed to the development of common core and technical programs of instruction and creation of the Army Logistics University-Technical Logistics College.

CW5 Armata’s awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal w/1 Bronze Service Star, Southwest Asia Service Medal w/3 Bronze Service Stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia and Kuwait), Air Assault Badge, and Ordnance Order of Samuel Sharpe.

CW5 Armata Jr. retired in February 2011 after 30 years of exceptional service.