diff --git a/ant-bridge.sh b/ant-bridge.sh
index a2f686586..af94fa435 100755
--- a/ant-bridge.sh
+++ b/ant-bridge.sh
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #!/bin/sh
 
-mvn_args="verify"
+default_args="verify '-Ddisable.shadepackage'"
+mvn_args="${default_args}"
 mvn_properties=
 mvn_clean=
 unknown_args=
@@ -44,22 +45,23 @@ for arg in "${@}" ; do
         fi
 
     else
-        if [[ "${arg}" != "dist" && "${mvn_args}" != "" && "${mvn_args}" != "verify" ]] ; then
+        if [[ "${arg}" != "dist" && "${mvn_args}" != "" && "${mvn_args}" != "${default_args}" ]] ; then
             echo "Sorry, this script does not currently support mixing targets." >&2
             exit 1
 
         elif [[ "${arg}" == "dist" ]] ; then
-            mvn_args="verify"
+            mvn_args="${default_args}"
 
         elif [[ "${arg}" == "gatk" ]] ; then
-            mvn_args="verify '-P!queue'"
+            mvn_args="${default_args} '-P!queue'"
 
         elif [[ "${arg}" == "test.compile" ]] ; then
             mvn_args="test-compile"
 
         elif [[ "${arg}" == "gatkdocs" ]] ; then
             local_repo="sitetemprepo"
-            mvn_args="install -Dmaven.repo.local=${local_repo} -Ddisable.queue && mvn site -Dmaven.repo.local=${local_repo} -Ddisable.queue"
+            mvn_args="install -Dmaven.repo.local=${local_repo} '-P!queue' && mvn site -Dmaven.repo.local=${local_repo} '-P!queue'"
+            mvn_pkg_args=
 
         elif [[ "${arg}" == "package.gatk.full" ]] ; then
             mvn_args="package '-P!private,!queue'"
@@ -75,11 +77,11 @@ for arg in "${@}" ; do
 
 #        elif [[ "${arg}" == "release.gatk.full" ]] ; then
 #            mvn_args="package '-P!private,!queue'"
-#            post_script=" && private/src/main/scripts/shell/copy_release.sh public/gatk-package/target/GenomeAnalysisTK-*.tar.bz2"
+#            post_script=" && private/src/main/scripts/shell/copy_release.sh protected/gatk-package-distribution/target/GenomeAnalysisTK-*.tar.bz2"
 
 #        elif [[ "${arg}" == "release.queue.full" ]] ; then
 #            mvn_args="package '-P!private'"
-#            post_script=" && private/src/main/scripts/shell/copy_release.sh public/queue-package/target/Queue-*.tar.bz2"
+#            post_script=" && private/src/main/scripts/shell/copy_release.sh protected/gatk-queue-package-distribution/target/Queue-*.tar.bz2"
 
         elif [[ "${arg}" == "build-picard-private" ]] ; then
             mvn_args="mvn install -f private/picard-maven/pom.xml"
@@ -113,7 +115,7 @@ for arg in "${@}" ; do
             mvn_args="${mvn_args} -Dgatk.queuetests.run=true"
 
         elif [[ "${arg}" == "committests" ]] ; then
-            mvn_args="verify -Dgatk.committests.skipped=false"
+            mvn_args="${default_args} -Dgatk.committests.skipped=false"
 
         elif [[ "${arg}" == "test" ]] ; then
             mvn_args="test -Dgatk.unittests.skipped=false"
@@ -122,19 +124,19 @@ for arg in "${@}" ; do
             mvn_args="test -Dgatk.unittests.skipped=false"
 
         elif [[ "${arg}" == "integrationtest" ]] ; then
-            mvn_args="verify -Dgatk.integrationtests.skipped=false"
+            mvn_args="${default_args} -Dgatk.integrationtests.skipped=false"
 
         elif [[ "${arg}" == "largescaletest" ]] ; then
-            mvn_args="verify -Dgatk.largescaletests.skipped=false"
+            mvn_args="${default_args} -Dgatk.largescaletests.skipped=false"
 
         elif [[ "${arg}" == "knowledgebasetest" ]] ; then
-            mvn_args="verify -Dgatk.knowledgebasetests.skipped=false"
+            mvn_args="${default_args} -Dgatk.knowledgebasetests.skipped=false"
 
         elif [[ "${arg}" == "queuetest" ]] ; then
-            mvn_args="verify -Dgatk.queuetests.skipped=false"
+            mvn_args="${default_args} -Dgatk.queuetests.skipped=false"
 
         elif [[ "${arg}" == "queuetestrun" ]] ; then
-            mvn_args="verify -Dgatk.queuetests.skipped=false -Dgatk.queuetests.run=true"
+            mvn_args="${default_args} -Dgatk.queuetests.skipped=false -Dgatk.queuetests.run=true"
 
         elif [[ "${arg}" == "fasttest" ]] ; then
             mvn_args="verify -Dgatk.committests.skipped=false -pl private/gatk-tools-private -am -Dresource.bundle.skip=true"
diff --git a/pom.xml b/pom.xml
index d573dcc6d..5272f6c55 100644
--- a/pom.xml
+++ b/pom.xml
@@ -33,11 +33,14 @@
         <!-- TODO: Need a better a way to say "don't include hidden" by default -->
         <gatkdocs.include.hidden>-build-timestamp "${maven.build.timestamp}"</gatkdocs.include.hidden>
         <gatk.shell.directory>${gatk.basedir}/public/src/main/scripts/shell</gatk.shell.directory>
+        <gatk.assembly.directory>${gatk.basedir}/public/src/main/assembly</gatk.assembly.directory>
 
         <!--
         Phases of the build that may be disabled to speed up compilation.
         -->
         <gatk.jar.phase>package</gatk.jar.phase>
+        <gatk.unpack.phase>prepare-package</gatk.unpack.phase>
+        <gatk.shade.phase>package</gatk.shade.phase>
         <gatk.generate-resources.phase>generate-resources</gatk.generate-resources.phase>
         <gatk.process-resources.phase>process-resources</gatk.process-resources.phase>
         <gatk.process-test-resources.phase>process-test-resources</gatk.process-test-resources.phase>
@@ -66,6 +69,16 @@
         <gatk.serialqueuetests.skipped>${gatk.serialcommittests.skipped}</gatk.serialqueuetests.skipped>
         <gatk.seriallargescaletests.skipped>true</gatk.seriallargescaletests.skipped>
         <gatk.serialknowledgebasetests.skipped>true</gatk.serialknowledgebasetests.skipped>
+
+        <!-- Full path to write the executable MANIFEST.MF only jars, 10 seconds to create at 4KB each, and the accompanying lib directory -->
+        <gatk.executable.directory>${gatk.basedir}/target/executable</gatk.executable.directory>
+        <!-- Full path to write (symlinks to) the full shaded package jars, 1+ minute to create at 12MB+ each -->
+        <gatk.package.directory>${gatk.basedir}/target/package</gatk.package.directory>
+        <!--
+        Full path to write symlink to either an executable MANIFEST.MF only jar - OR - a fully shaded package jar.
+        NOTE: MANIFEST.MF only jars MUST be accompanied by the lib folder, or they will not run.
+        -->
+        <gatk.shortcut.directory>${gatk.basedir}/target</gatk.shortcut.directory>
     </properties>
 
     <dependencies>
@@ -139,6 +152,17 @@
                                 <excludes>${resource.bundle.path}</excludes>
                             </configuration>
                         </execution>
+                        <execution>
+                            <id>executable-jar-lib</id>
+                            <goals>
+                                <goal>copy-dependencies</goal>
+                            </goals>
+                            <phase>none</phase>
+                            <configuration>
+                                <outputDirectory>${gatk.executable.directory}/lib</outputDirectory>
+                                <includeScope>runtime</includeScope>
+                            </configuration>
+                        </execution>
                     </executions>
                 </plugin>
                 <!-- TODO: Change the ResourceBundleExtractorDoclet to not require log4j.properties file -->
@@ -319,10 +343,40 @@
                     <groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
                     <artifactId>maven-jar-plugin</artifactId>
                     <executions>
+                        <execution>
+                            <id>executable-jar</id>
+                            <goals>
+                                <goal>jar</goal>
+                            </goals>
+                            <phase>none</phase>
+                            <configuration>
+                                <classesDirectory>${project.build.outputDirectory}/ignored_by_executable_jar</classesDirectory>
+                                <outputDirectory>${gatk.executable.directory}</outputDirectory>
+                                <finalName>${gatk.binary-dist.name}</finalName>
+                                <archive>
+                                    <manifest>
+                                        <mainClass>${app.main.class}</mainClass>
+                                        <addClasspath>true</addClasspath>
+                                        <classpathPrefix>lib/</classpathPrefix>
+                                    </manifest>
+                                </archive>
+                            </configuration>
+                        </execution>
                         <execution>
                             <id>default-jar</id>
                             <phase>${gatk.jar.phase}</phase>
                         </execution>
+                        <!--
+                        Maven keeps executing default-jar first, even if it's listed AFTER the executable-jar.
+                        So while packaging: run executable-jar, disable default-jar, then run unshaded-default-jar.
+                        -->
+                        <execution>
+                            <id>unshaded-default-jar</id>
+                            <goals>
+                                <goal>jar</goal>
+                            </goals>
+                            <phase>none</phase>
+                        </execution>
                         <execution>
                             <id>test-jar</id>
                             <goals>
@@ -341,7 +395,7 @@
                     <artifactId>maven-shade-plugin</artifactId>
                     <executions>
                         <execution>
-                            <id>gatk-executable</id>
+                            <id>package-jar</id>
                             <goals>
                                 <goal>shade</goal>
                             </goals>
@@ -405,7 +459,7 @@
                             <phase>none</phase>
                             <configuration>
                                 <descriptors>
-                                    <descriptor>src/main/assembly/binary-dist.xml</descriptor>
+                                    <descriptor>${gatk.assembly.directory}/binary-dist.xml</descriptor>
                                 </descriptors>
                             </configuration>
                         </execution>
@@ -437,7 +491,7 @@
                             </configuration>
                         </execution>
                         <execution>
-                            <id>link-binary-jar</id>
+                            <id>link-executable-jar</id>
                             <goals>
                                 <goal>link</goal>
                             </goals>
@@ -445,7 +499,26 @@
                             <configuration>
                                 <links>
                                     <link>
-                                        <dst>${gatk.basedir}/target/${gatk.binary-dist.name}.${project.packaging}</dst>
+                                        <dst>${gatk.shortcut.directory}/${gatk.binary-dist.name}.${project.packaging}</dst>
+                                        <src>${gatk.executable.directory}/${gatk.binary-dist.name}.${project.packaging}</src>
+                                    </link>
+                                </links>
+                            </configuration>
+                        </execution>
+                        <execution>
+                            <id>link-package-jar</id>
+                            <goals>
+                                <goal>link</goal>
+                            </goals>
+                            <phase>none</phase>
+                            <configuration>
+                                <links>
+                                    <link>
+                                        <dst>${gatk.package.directory}/${gatk.binary-dist.name}.${project.packaging}</dst>
+                                        <src>${project.build.directory}/${project.build.finalName}.${project.packaging}</src>
+                                    </link>
+                                    <link>
+                                        <dst>${gatk.shortcut.directory}/${gatk.binary-dist.name}.${project.packaging}</dst>
                                         <src>${project.build.directory}/${project.build.finalName}.${project.packaging}</src>
                                     </link>
                                 </links>
@@ -748,6 +821,26 @@
             </modules>
         </profile>
 
+        <!-- Optionally do not shade/package jars -->
+        <!--
+        NOTE: Profile id "fast" comes from comments in PR #771.
+        The name is meant to be memorable, but is highly non-specific. Users are forewarned that
+        behavior of this profile, or the identifier itself, may be heavily modified in the future.
+        Hardcode usage in non-VCS controlled scripts at your own risk.
+        -->
+        <profile>
+            <id>fast</id>
+            <activation>
+                <property>
+                    <name>disable.shadepackage</name>
+                </property>
+            </activation>
+            <properties>
+                <gatk.unpack.phase>none</gatk.unpack.phase>
+                <gatk.shade.phase>none</gatk.shade.phase>
+            </properties>
+        </profile>
+
         <!-- Collection of properties for use during package testing -->
         <profile>
             <id>packagetests-enabled</id>
@@ -761,6 +854,8 @@
                 <maven.javadoc.skip>true</maven.javadoc.skip>
                 <gatk.generate-gatk-extensions.skipped>true</gatk.generate-gatk-extensions.skipped>
                 <gatk.jar.phase>none</gatk.jar.phase>
+                <gatk.unpack.phase>none</gatk.unpack.phase>
+                <gatk.shade.phase>none</gatk.shade.phase>
                 <gatk.generate-resources.phase>none</gatk.generate-resources.phase>
                 <gatk.process-resources.phase>none</gatk.process-resources.phase>
                 <gatk.process-test-resources.phase>none</gatk.process-test-resources.phase>
diff --git a/protected/gatk-package-distribution/pom.xml b/protected/gatk-package-distribution/pom.xml
index 2fd3c3b8f..e44ecc15d 100644
--- a/protected/gatk-package-distribution/pom.xml
+++ b/protected/gatk-package-distribution/pom.xml
@@ -15,8 +15,6 @@
 
     <properties>
         <gatk.basedir>${project.basedir}/../..</gatk.basedir>
-        <gatk.unpack.phase>prepare-package</gatk.unpack.phase>
-        <gatk.shade.phase>package</gatk.shade.phase>
         <app.main.class>org.broadinstitute.gatk.engine.CommandLineGATK</app.main.class>
         <gatk.binary-dist.name>GenomeAnalysisTK</gatk.binary-dist.name>
     </properties>
@@ -169,6 +167,25 @@
                 </executions>
             </plugin>
 
+            <plugin>
+                <groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
+                <artifactId>maven-jar-plugin</artifactId>
+                <executions>
+                    <execution>
+                        <id>executable-jar</id>
+                        <phase>${gatk.jar.phase}</phase>
+                    </execution>
+                    <execution>
+                        <id>default-jar</id>
+                        <phase>none</phase>
+                    </execution>
+                    <execution>
+                        <id>unshaded-default-jar</id>
+                        <phase>${gatk.jar.phase}</phase>
+                    </execution>
+                </executions>
+            </plugin>
+
             <plugin>
                 <groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
                 <artifactId>maven-dependency-plugin</artifactId>
@@ -177,6 +194,10 @@
                         <id>unpack-direct-dependencies</id>
                         <phase>${gatk.unpack.phase}</phase>
                     </execution>
+                    <execution>
+                        <id>executable-jar-lib</id>
+                        <phase>${gatk.jar.phase}</phase>
+                    </execution>
                 </executions>
             </plugin>
 
@@ -185,7 +206,7 @@
                 <artifactId>maven-shade-plugin</artifactId>
                 <executions>
                     <execution>
-                        <id>gatk-executable</id>
+                        <id>package-jar</id>
                         <phase>${gatk.shade.phase}</phase>
                     </execution>
                 </executions>
@@ -207,7 +228,11 @@
                 <artifactId>maven-junction-plugin</artifactId>
                 <executions>
                     <execution>
-                        <id>link-binary-jar</id>
+                        <id>link-executable-jar</id>
+                        <phase>${gatk.jar.phase}</phase>
+                    </execution>
+                    <execution>
+                        <id>link-package-jar</id>
                         <phase>${gatk.shade.phase}</phase>
                     </execution>
                     <execution>
@@ -236,20 +261,6 @@
     </build>
 
     <profiles>
-        <profile>
-            <id>packagetests-enabled</id>
-            <activation>
-                <property>
-                    <name>gatk.packagetests.enabled</name>
-                    <value>true</value>
-                </property>
-            </activation>
-            <properties>
-                <gatk.jar.phase>none</gatk.jar.phase>
-                <gatk.unpack.phase>none</gatk.unpack.phase>
-                <gatk.shade.phase>none</gatk.shade.phase>
-            </properties>
-        </profile>
         <profile>
             <id>gsadev</id>
             <activation>
diff --git a/protected/gatk-queue-package-distribution/pom.xml b/protected/gatk-queue-package-distribution/pom.xml
index 5a077ef29..2140bf855 100644
--- a/protected/gatk-queue-package-distribution/pom.xml
+++ b/protected/gatk-queue-package-distribution/pom.xml
@@ -15,8 +15,6 @@
 
     <properties>
         <gatk.basedir>${project.basedir}/../..</gatk.basedir>
-        <gatk.unpack.phase>prepare-package</gatk.unpack.phase>
-        <gatk.shade.phase>package</gatk.shade.phase>
         <gatk.binary-dist.name>Queue</gatk.binary-dist.name>
         <app.main.class>org.broadinstitute.gatk.queue.QCommandLine</app.main.class>
     </properties>
@@ -171,6 +169,25 @@
                 </executions>
             </plugin>
 
+            <plugin>
+                <groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
+                <artifactId>maven-jar-plugin</artifactId>
+                <executions>
+                    <execution>
+                        <id>executable-jar</id>
+                        <phase>${gatk.jar.phase}</phase>
+                    </execution>
+                    <execution>
+                        <id>default-jar</id>
+                        <phase>none</phase>
+                    </execution>
+                    <execution>
+                        <id>unshaded-default-jar</id>
+                        <phase>${gatk.jar.phase}</phase>
+                    </execution>
+                </executions>
+            </plugin>
+
             <plugin>
                 <groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
                 <artifactId>maven-dependency-plugin</artifactId>
@@ -179,6 +196,10 @@
                         <id>unpack-direct-dependencies</id>
                         <phase>${gatk.unpack.phase}</phase>
                     </execution>
+                    <execution>
+                        <id>executable-jar-lib</id>
+                        <phase>${gatk.jar.phase}</phase>
+                    </execution>
                 </executions>
             </plugin>
 
@@ -187,7 +208,7 @@
                 <artifactId>maven-shade-plugin</artifactId>
                 <executions>
                     <execution>
-                        <id>gatk-executable</id>
+                        <id>package-jar</id>
                         <phase>${gatk.shade.phase}</phase>
                     </execution>
                 </executions>
@@ -209,7 +230,11 @@
                 <artifactId>maven-junction-plugin</artifactId>
                 <executions>
                     <execution>
-                        <id>link-binary-jar</id>
+                        <id>link-executable-jar</id>
+                        <phase>${gatk.jar.phase}</phase>
+                    </execution>
+                    <execution>
+                        <id>link-package-jar</id>
                         <phase>${gatk.shade.phase}</phase>
                     </execution>
                     <execution>
@@ -238,20 +263,6 @@
     </build>
 
     <profiles>
-        <profile>
-            <id>packagetests-enabled</id>
-            <activation>
-                <property>
-                    <name>gatk.packagetests.enabled</name>
-                    <value>true</value>
-                </property>
-            </activation>
-            <properties>
-                <gatk.jar.phase>none</gatk.jar.phase>
-                <gatk.unpack.phase>none</gatk.unpack.phase>
-                <gatk.shade.phase>none</gatk.shade.phase>
-            </properties>
-        </profile>
         <profile>
             <id>gsadev</id>
             <activation>
diff --git a/protected/gatk-queue-package-distribution/src/main/assembly/binary-dist.xml b/protected/gatk-queue-package-distribution/src/main/assembly/binary-dist.xml
deleted file mode 100644
index daa974216..000000000
--- a/protected/gatk-queue-package-distribution/src/main/assembly/binary-dist.xml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,23 +0,0 @@
-<assembly xmlns="http://maven.apache.org/plugins/maven-assembly-plugin/assembly/1.1.2" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://maven.apache.org/plugins/maven-assembly-plugin/assembly/1.1.2 http://maven.apache.org/xsd/assembly-1.1.2.xsd">
-    <id>binary-dist</id>
-    <formats>
-        <format>tar.bz2</format>
-    </formats>
-    <includeBaseDirectory>false</includeBaseDirectory>
-    <dependencySets>
-        <dependencySet>
-            <includes>
-                <include>org.broadinstitute.gatk:gatk-queue-package-distribution</include>
-            </includes>
-            <outputFileNameMapping>${gatk.binary-dist.name}.${artifact.extension}</outputFileNameMapping>
-        </dependencySet>
-        <dependencySet>
-            <outputDirectory>resources</outputDirectory>
-            <unpack>true</unpack>
-            <includes>
-                <include>org.broadinstitute.gatk:gatk-engine:tar.bz2:example-resources</include>
-                <include>org.broadinstitute.gatk:gatk-queue-extensions-public:tar.bz2:example-resources</include>
-            </includes>
-        </dependencySet>
-    </dependencySets>
-</assembly>
diff --git a/public/external-example/pom.xml b/public/external-example/pom.xml
index 94406680d..aa4e57cc4 100644
--- a/public/external-example/pom.xml
+++ b/public/external-example/pom.xml
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
         <gatk.integrationtests.skipped>${gatk.committests.skipped}</gatk.integrationtests.skipped>
 
         <!-- This flag is used by the package tests to disable re-shading -->
-        <gatk.unpack.phase>process-resources</gatk.unpack.phase>
+        <gatk.unpack.phase>prepare-package</gatk.unpack.phase>
         <gatk.shade.phase>package</gatk.shade.phase>
     </properties>
 
@@ -259,7 +259,28 @@
         </plugins>
     </build>
 
+    <!-- These profiles are used by the GATK build in a multi-module setting. You do NOT need these profiles. -->
     <profiles>
+        <!-- Optionally do not shade/package jars -->
+        <!--
+        NOTE: Profile id "fast" comes from comments in PR #771.
+        The name is meant to be memorable, but is highly non-specific. Users are forewarned that
+        behavior of this profile, or the identifier itself, may be heavily modified in the future.
+        Hardcode usage in non-VCS controlled scripts at your own risk.
+        -->
+        <profile>
+            <id>fast</id>
+            <activation>
+                <property>
+                    <name>disable.shadepackage</name>
+                </property>
+            </activation>
+            <properties>
+                <gatk.unpack.phase>none</gatk.unpack.phase>
+                <gatk.shade.phase>none</gatk.shade.phase>
+            </properties>
+        </profile>
+        <!-- Collection of properties for use during package testing -->
         <profile>
             <id>packagetests-enabled</id>
             <activation>
diff --git a/protected/gatk-package-distribution/src/main/assembly/binary-dist.xml b/public/src/main/assembly/binary-dist.xml
similarity index 82%
rename from protected/gatk-package-distribution/src/main/assembly/binary-dist.xml
rename to public/src/main/assembly/binary-dist.xml
index 11fb98e00..d2248c9db 100644
--- a/protected/gatk-package-distribution/src/main/assembly/binary-dist.xml
+++ b/public/src/main/assembly/binary-dist.xml
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
     <dependencySets>
         <dependencySet>
             <includes>
-                <include>org.broadinstitute.gatk:gatk-package-distribution</include>
+                <include>${groupId}:${artifactId}</include>
             </includes>
             <outputFileNameMapping>${gatk.binary-dist.name}.${artifact.extension}</outputFileNameMapping>
         </dependencySet>
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
             <outputDirectory>resources</outputDirectory>
             <unpack>true</unpack>
             <includes>
-                <include>org.broadinstitute.gatk:gatk-engine:tar.bz2:example-resources</include>
+                <include>org.broadinstitute.gatk:*:tar.bz2:example-resources</include>
             </includes>
         </dependencySet>
     </dependencySets>