Firefighter's Son Answers The Call To A Different Uniform
by U.S. Army Eric Kowal, Picatinny Arsenal
February 1, 2026 In many ways, the worlds of a firefighter and a Soldier are intertwined. Both require a unique blend of courage, discipline, and a profound sense of duty. They are professions where the well-being of others is paramount, where teamwork is not just a concept, but a lifeline.
For many, following in a parent's footsteps feels like natural progression, but for 18-year-old Keoni Dickinson, the decision to forge his own path was a deliberate one, rooted in the very values his father instilled in him.
On January 28, 2026 ... Keoni enlisted in the U.S. Army before his father, Charles Dickinson (CJ), Battalion Chief of Special Operations with the Picatinny Arsenal Fire Department (PAFD), and other members of the department; as well as, Directors assigned to U.S. Army Garrison Picatinny Arsenal. 
January 28, 2026 - Lt. Col. Craig A. Bonham II, U.S. Army Garrison Picatinny Arsenal Garrison Commander administers the oath of enlistment to Keoni Dickinson (18) as his proud father, Charles Dickinson (CJ), Battalion Chief of Special Operations with the Picatinny Arsenal Fire Department (PAFD), and other members of the department observed. (Image created by USA Patriotism! from U.S. Army photo by Eric Kowal.)
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“The work we accomplish daily (at Picatinny Arsenal) is in support of every warfighter and today was a powerful reminder that this mission is not abstract. Today, unlike other days, we had the opportunity to put a face and name to a future warfighter our work will be supporting,” said CJ after witnessing his son take the oath of enlistment.
“Seeing him step forward to take the oath today makes it personal, he represents a member of our team. As his father, I am incredibly proud of his decision to step forward and serve.”
Lt. Col. Craig A. Bonham II, U.S. Army Garrison Picatinny Arsenal Garrison Commander administered the oath at the Garrison’s Headquarters, following a staff meeting.
The U.S. Armed Forces oath of enlistment dates to June 14, 1775, when the Continental Congress established the Continental Army. Everyone who joins the military, whether enlisted or as an officer, has one thing in common – they must swear in by the military oath of enlistment or military oath of office.
Keoni, who was recruited out of the Wilkes-Barre Army Recruiting Station in Pennsylvania, will report to recruit training in May, followed by training for the military occupational specialty, Signal Operations Support Specialist. He is a graduate of Pocono Mountain West High School.
Picatinny Arsenal is one of the top three employers in Morris County, New Jersey, according to the Morris County Office of Planning and Preservation, and supports the Army priorities of People, Readiness and Modernization. The installation’s capabilities are unique and vital to the Nation, as the workforce leads the advancement of armament technologies and engineering innovation for the U.S. military.
The Picatinny Arsenal garrison supports mission partners that use unique laboratories, special facilities, and various performance measures to evaluate prototype designs, thus reducing development cycle time. Improvised explosive device (IED) defeat technologies, drones, small, medium, and large caliber conventional ammunition, precision-guided munitions, mortars, fire control systems, small-arms weapon systems, howitzers, gunner protection armor, warheads, fuzes, and insensitive munitions, are all part of Picatinny’s scope of work. Our Valiant Troops | I Am The One | Veterans | Citizens Like Us U.S. Army Gifts | U.S. Army | Army National Guard | U.S. Department of War | |
