The sign near the Rock Island Arsenal’s Davenport, Iowa, entrance shows the island’s new slogan, “Producing Readiness Since 1862.” The slogan was changed from “Home of Army Logistics,” to better represent all of the military tenants located on the post. The new slogan was unveiled on Oct. 19, 2018. (Kevin Fleming/U.S. Army Sustainment Command)
(Tribune News Service) — U.S. Senator and combat veteran Tammy Duckworth met with Chief of Staff of the Army General Randy George on Tuesday to discuss investments at the Rock Island Arsenal.
In an interview with the Dispatch-Argus/Quad-City Times, Duckworth said that George was impressed with the arsenal after a recent visit, and that he saw the facility’s potential to answer future challenges the Army might face.
“General George gave me an example, ‘There are parts that I have been trying to order from a major defense manufacturer and they said it’s going to take me nine months. I go to Rock Island, and they tell me they can do it in 15 minutes,’” Duckworth said.
Beyond the technical capabilities of the arsenal, Duckworth highlighted other factors that make investment worthwhile. She pointed towards the skilled manufacturing workforce in the area, with the arsenal hiring people directly from places like John Deere.
Western Illinois University, the University of Illinois System and Iowa State University also recently announced the Quad-Cities Manufacturing Institute — a partnership between the universities and the Rock Island Arsenal, connecting students and academic experts to the equipment and industry professionals at the Arsenal.
Duckworth praised the communities as well.
“It’s a really good place to live, and it’s a good standard of living, and you’re going to be able to attract people to come live there in the Quad-Cities area,” Duckworth said.
Duckworth said that she and General George discussed implementing a minimum workload requirement for the arsenal, keeping a sustainable amount of work so that the arsenal can retain more skilled workers. Illinois Congressman Eric Sorensen along with Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks introduced a bill in the House with this goal earlier this year, and Duckworth is signed on as a cosponsor of the Senate version of the bill.
Duckworth also said that she’s working with Sorensen to renew legislation every five years requiring the Department of Defense to first consider existing facilities for projects, like the Rock Island Arsenal, before they rent a new facility.
“I’ll keep working with Army leadership to ensure the men and women of Rock Island Arsenal have the support they need and that the Arsenal can succeed for years to come,” she said in a press release.
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