Assemblywoman Dunn urges Pentagon to reconsider Picatinny restructuring, invites defense secretary to visit arsenal
MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. — Assemblywoman Aura Dunn is calling on the Pentagon to reconsider its proposed restructuring of Picatinny Arsenal, warning that the plan could threaten military innovation, eliminate New Jersey jobs and undermine national security.
The U.S. Army’s proposal, part of a broader restructuring effort to speed up the development and delivery of military technologies, would dismantle certain functions at the Morris County facility and reassign as many as 1,000 jobs to other installations across the country.
Dunn (R-Morris) is urging U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to visit Picatinny in person before any decision is made.
“The Fed’s plan to dismantle certain functions at Picatinny Arsenal put military innovation, jobs and national security in jeopardy,” Dunn said. “Picatinny’s workforce is critical to keeping the armed forces ready to meet the challenges of modern hostilities. The value of this garrison can’t be reduced to a numbers game. I am asking Secretary Hegseth to see it in person so he better understands the gravity of the proposed changes and how well prepared this base is to meet modernized acquisition processes.”
Dunn, a member of the New Jersey Military Skills Council and a strong advocate for military and veteran-related legislation, said Picatinny already fulfills the goals set out by the Department of Defense.
“Picatinny is perfectly poised to address the goals of this administration, because it is already the military’s leader in munitions and maintains full lifecycle capabilities,” she said. “I am urging Secretary Hegseth to withdraw the current proposal and instead survey the arsenal’s work to see how the Pentagon can invest in the existing expertise and operations in New Jersey.”
Picatinny Arsenal, located in Morris County, is the third largest employer in the region. It employs approximately 6,000 scientists, engineers, military personnel and support staff and contributes nearly $367 million annually to New Jersey’s economy, including $163 million to Morris County alone.
