Former Secretary of the Navy, Senior Industry Leaders, Visit Campus
Kenneth A. Stewart

Permanent Military Professor and Director of the MOVES Institute, Navy Cmdr. Joe Sullivan, second from right, briefs a delegation from the European aerospace and defense company EADS during a campus visit, July 24. Included in the delegation were EADS Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Dr. Jean Botti and EADS North America Chief Executive Officer Sean O’Keefe.

“NPS is well known and respected within the organizational leadership of EADS, this is actually the fourth visit to the university by CTO Dr. Jean Botti. And as a former Secretary of the Navy and member of the NPS Board of Advisors, Mr. Sean O'Keefe is certainly very familiar with NPS, and has great respect for the NPS mission and its people,” noted Sullivan.

"They have a deep understanding and appreciation for the nature of our research, the student's role in it, and the intellectual capital of our faculty,” added Sullivan. “They also bring an important industry experience and perspective that helps NPS become better at transitioning solutions from the lab into the battlefield."

Uzbekistan Delegation Examines Educational Exchange Opportunities
Javier Chagoya

Military faculty from Uzbekistan visited NPS to explore interests and opportunities for a variety of professional military education (PME) programs and exchange opportunities between the schools, July 22-25. This is the first time representatives from the Uzbek military have been to NPS. Officials representing the Uzbekistan Ministry of Defense, the Military Academy Education Department and the Tashkent University of Information Technologies sought to familiarize themselves with the U.S. professional military education system, along with NPS’ graduate education and research programs.

U.S. Partnership for Peace Training and Education Center Program Office project manager Tahmina Karimova noted that Uzbekistan is a critical U.S. strategic partner in central Asia “This visit to NPS, in support of development and enhancement of Uzbekistan’s professional military education system, serves as an essential component to enhance security cooperation between our countries,” Karimnova said.

Representatives from all four NPS schools delivered extensive briefs to the delegation during their week-long visit, and the Uzbek faculty were impressed with school’s extensive programs.

National Intel Chair Wraps NPS Assignment
Javier Chagoya

National Intelligence Chair and NPS alumnus Randy Burkett, front right, gathers with friends and colleagues from NPS’ defense analysis department for a farewell portrait on the steps of Herrmann Hall.

Burkett returned to NPS in June 2010, selected to serve as the university’s first National Intelligence Chair and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) representative. Burkett taught courses in human intelligence and international terrorism, in addition to work with the new cyber academic group.

“I saw an internal advertisement for the newly-created chair position at NPS. I submitted my application to my boss, and was ultimately interviewed by the director himself, Director Leon Panetta,” he recalled.

Burkett first came to NPS as an Air Force captain in 1989, completing his master’s degree in regional security studies, east Asia. Following graduation, Burkett was assigned to the Air Force Intelligence Service Special Activity Center, which prepared him for his later career with the CIA many years later.

Provost Kicks Off Inaugural Graduate Writing Center Lecture Series
MC3 Shawn J. Stewart

NPS Provost Dr. Douglas A. Hensler welcomes attendees to the inaugural Graduate Writing Center lecture held in King Auditorium, July 23.. The lectures series was established to help NPS students improve thesis writing and communication skills. “Learning how to express yourself in a variety of ways is important to our mission,” said Hensler. “The ability to write well and speak well will help you advance in life, in the military, and in the corporate world.”

NPS Associate Professor of National Security Affairs Dr. Zachary Shore provided this initial presentation. “I have one message for you, don’t work hard,” said Shore. “I want you to work smart.”

Shore offered students insight into the art of thesis writing and provided them with methods to make their thesis writing more successful. The method is based on three basic concepts – active reading, research and literacy, and writing with power.

AIAA Executive Director Visits NPS
MC1 Grant P. Ammon

SNPS Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Research Assistant Professor Jae-Jun Kim leads American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Executive Director Dr. Sandra Magnus on a tour of the Bifocal Relay Mirror Spacecraft Laboratory, July 18.

Magnus met with NPS faculty and leadership and conducted an information sharing session with students. She concluded her visit by meeting with AIAA members representing the organization’s Point Lobos Section (PLS). 

DHS Secretary Hosts Five Country Ministerial at NPS
MC3 Danica M. Sirmans

Secretary of Homeland Security, the Honorable Janet Napolitano, front center, is pictured in the NPS Rose Garden with the participants of the first Five Country Ministerial, held on the NPS campus, July 22.  

The forum focused on how close cooperation between the five nations can be applied to countering extremist terrorism. Participants also discussed collaborative methods to combat cyber-crime, the cyber security of critical infrastructure, and the exchange of criminal history information between the five nations.

“As allies and economic partners, our five countries have a successful history of cooperation in addressing issues – from increased security to facilitated movement of goods and people. We have a unique relationship with one another.  We are all are democracies, we share the same language, we have strong economies, and we also have engaged citizens who expect action and accountability from their governments,” Napolitano said during her opening remarks.

Senior Operational Energy Leader Delivers Clear Message
Javier Chagoya

“You are the future of the Navy’s intellectual capital for pushing forward today’s energy issues,” declared Chris Tindal, Director for Operational Energy in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy. Tindal’s presentation to a small group of students through the Defense Energy program, July 17, focused on their roles in reducing the Navy’s dependency on petroleum to drive its ships and fly its aircraft.

“In July 2012, the Navy demonstrated the Great Green Fleet as part of the RIMPAC exercises, and do you know what happened? Nothing,” stressed Tindal. “Nothing happened because everything worked without a hitch … We need to show the world our forward thinking and our new normal for energy efficiency. Here is the Department of the Navy’s principal on the memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The document forges the way to advance and develop the biofuel industry."

“We have a projection date of 2020 to have the Fleet operating on 50 percent green and renewable energy, which also includes shore facilities,” said Tindal. Although Tindal's presentation focused in part on biofuels, he stressed the importance of employing every technology that shows promise and is wise to use within its region.

All Hands Provides Critical Updates to NPS Faculty, Staff
MC1 Grant P. Ammon

Naval Postgraduate School staff and faculty gather for an all-hands call with university Interim President Rear Adm. Jan E. Tighe and top university leadership, July 18 in King Auditorium. Tighe addressed topics such as the status of the university’s progress on responses to the Inspector General recommendations, announcement of the new NPS President, and furlough implementation.

“It is important that we gather to reset, re-synch, and take stock in what we have accomplished and what is still before us,” said Tighe. “I want to ensure the entire faculty and staff have accurate information on topics that affect their lives and livelihood," she continued.

The campus-wide, all-hands session lasted just over two hours with opportunities for candid questions from attendees to university leadership throughout. For those who missed the all hands, a video of the session will be available on the NPS Intranet on Monday, July 22.

NSA Monterey Earns Coveted Environmental Awards
MC3 Danica M. Sirmans

Naval Support Activity (NSA) Monterey Commanding Officer Capt. Gerral K. David formally presents the Chief of Naval Operation’s (CNO) awards for excellence in cultural resource management and installation sustainability to the NSA Monterey Installation Environmental Program Office, July 17.

“We couldn’t do any of this without the whole team,” said David. “Johanna Turner, Vicki Taber, and Todd Willis are doing great things and the rest of the team’s work makes it all the better.”

In a break from tradition, this year’s annual award ceremony was held by teleconference. Past CNO and Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) awardees were flown to Washington, D.C. for recognition.

“Before this year, we caused more pollution flying to D.C. than we saved through our environmental efforts,” quipped David. “The VTC ceremony actually worked very well and ended up being entirely environmentally friendly.”

The SECNAV’s Cultural Resource Management Award is presented to just one of the 100 eligible Navy or Marine Corps bases that compete each year. The NSA Monterey team was also recognized ahead of 70 competing naval bases for excellence in installation sustainability.

Secretary of the Navy Names New University President
Kenneth A. Stewart

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced the appointment of retired Vice Adm. Ronald A. Route to the position of Naval Postgraduate School President in a statement, July 16. Route will replace NPS Interim President Rear Adm. Jan E. Tighe later this year following her several months at the helm of the Navy’s graduate university – a period of leadership Mabus described as, "nothing short of remarkable."

Mabus also expressed confidence in the incoming president’s leadership abilities and referenced his more than three decades of military service. "Admiral Route is the right leader for the job. His exemplary naval service of 36 years is invaluable to the position and I trust him to expertly guide this institution as they continue to provide the high-quality, relevant and unique advanced education and research opportunities that make our naval forces the best in the world," said Mabus.

Route comes to NPS with over 20 years of leadership at the executive and operational levels. His numerous past leadership positions include tours as Naval Inspector General and commander of the U.S. Navy’s Warfare Development Command.

GSBPP Professor Explores the Logistics of Disaster Assistance
MC2 Chablis J. Torrence

Graduate School of Business & Public Policy, Associate Professor of Operations and Logistics Management, Dr. Aruna Apte, above left, addresses students at NPS’ Reed Hall, June 11. Apte teaches a logistics management course utilizing her peer-reviewed book, “Humanitarian Logistics: A New Field of Research and Action.”

“Humanitarian logistics is a special branch of logistics, which manages the response supply chain of critical supplies and services,” said Apte.  “It addresses challenges such as demand surges, the uncertainty of supplies, and critical time-windows in the face of infrastructure vulnerabilities.”

“A significant proportion of the world’s population has suffered in recent years as a result of disasters - both natural and manmade,” said Apte. “An effective and efficient humanitarian response depends on the capabilities and competencies of the organizations involved in the humanitarian relief effort.”

“Logistics are a critical aspect of humanitarian assistance and disaster response, many HADR operations involve the military acting in conjunction with local government and non-governmental organizations,” continued Apte.

SSC-PAC Research Fellowship Supports NPS Student Research
MC3 Danica M. Sirmans

Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center-Pacific (SSC-PAC) Student Research Fellowship awardees Lt. Kevin White, left, and Lt. Cmdr. Jeremy Braud, right, are pictured in front of Spanagel Hall, July 10. Braud and White were chosen by SSC-PAC to receive a $10,000 stipend in support of their thesis research.

Braud and White are both enrolled in the university’s electronic systems engineering and applied mathematics programs. Braud will use the fellowship in support of his thesis, “Military Specific Development and Integration of Commercially-Procured Tablets with Existing Department of Defense Data Infrastructures.” White’s thesis entitled, "Tactical Network Load Balancing in Multi-Gateway Distributed Unattended Ground Sensor Systems," will be supported by his award of the fellowship.

The SSC-PAC Student Research Fellowship was designed to offer students an incentive to pursue research in SPAWAR-related topics. Since its establishment, 151 student fellowships have been awarded with two fellowship award cycles each year.

Hellenic Navy Flag Officer Returns to His Alma Mater
Javier Chagoya

Hellenic Navy retired Rear Adm. Charalampos "Harry" Anthanasopoulos meets with information sciences Chair Dr. Dan Boger and systems engineering Professor of Practice Wayne Hughes for an informal lunch in the El Prado Room during the 1987 graduate's visit to campus, July 8. Although it has been more than a quarter of a century since since Anthanasopoulos graduated, he says he has either maintained or rekindled many friendships with NPS faculty and fellow Greek students since his time on campus.

“I truly enjoyed my time and the education that I received at NPS,” he said during a tour of the campus, adding that he was delighted to see all the improvements to the university, and the impressive faculty that provide the educational experience to its students.

Anthanasopoulos retired from the Hellenic Navy in 1996, but has continued to be active in higher education working as an adjunct professor at the American College of Greece and the Deree College School of Business in Athens. He is also an active member in the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) International.

Anthanasopoulos graduated in March of 1987 with a Master’s of Science in Operations Research. NPS has a long history with Greece, graduating nearly 700 students from the nation since 1961.

CNO Strategic Studies Group Gives Final Call to Applicants
MC3 Danica M. Sirmans

Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group (CNO SSG) Director retired Adm. James R. Hogg, addresses a past contingent of NPS Director Fellows prior to their selection for a fellowship with the CNO SSG.  

Each year, select NPS students participate as Director Fellows in a CNO sponsored strategic studies group at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, R.I. Selected fellows work under the guidance of the CNO to address some of the Navy’s most complex strategic problems. The CNO has been tasking SSG participants since 1981 to generate revolutionary naval warfare concepts and strategies. Director Fellows explore a new theme each year and make recommendations to the CNO based on that year’s findings.

“I will be working with my colleagues, experienced and distinguished senior officers and hand-picked scientific experts in order to develop revolutionary new concepts to shape future naval strategy,” said Lt. Edward Tremblay. Tremblay is a SSG XXXII Director Fellow and is studying space systems engineering with NPS’ Graduate School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

CORE Lab Helps Air Force Academy Interns Study Social Networks
MC3 Shawn J. Stewart

The NPS Department of Defense Analysis welcomed two U.S. Air Force Academy cadets to the Common Operational Research Environment (CORE) Lab this summer to study innovative social network analysis techniques. Both behavioral science majors, Cadets Ayana Cameron, left, and Kara Hovseth, center, pictured with Research Associate Rob Schroeder, are working directly with CORE Lab staff on very current research efforts.

“Our cadets are helping us analyze the Syria conflict; they are looking at ‘dark networks’ and religious fragmentation,” explained Schroeder.

Hovseth and Cameron will return to the Air Force Academy in August, and are already seeing how they can apply the lessons learned here to their coursework at the academy. Cameron intends to continue her education with an eye toward future graduate studies here at NPS. “I am thinking about applying for graduate school here in the future,” she said. “It’s been an amazing experience and great networking opportunity. “

CORE Lab officials note the cadets’ contributions to the research efforts have been mutually beneficial.

Dean of Students Welcomes NPS’ Newest Class
MC3 Shawn J. Stewart

Students set to begin their studies when Summer Quarter classes resume attend new student orientation in NPS’ King Auditorium, July 2.

“We are pleased to welcome 420 new students today,” said Dean of Students Capt. Tom MacRae, “including Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Coast Guard, Air Force, and international officers, and Department of Defense  [civilian] students.”

The orientation touched on several topics, from sexual assault prevention measures, dress code and even how furloughs will affect their education.

MacRae noted that he feels privileged to hold the position of Dean of Students at NPS, and values the fact that only the top service members and civilians get to receive an education from the university. “It’s an honor to work here at NPS with our outstanding faculty, staff and an outstanding group of hand-picked, highly-screened students,” said MacRae. “I have the best job in the Navy, because they make this tour the most rewarding for any naval officer.”

NPS Researchers Prepare Small Satellites for Launch
Kenneth A. Stewart

Research Assistant Aaron Felt makes an adjustment to the NPS SCAT (Solar Cell Array Tester) outside Bullard Hall, June 27. University researchers are using the device to test the ability of an NPS-developed cube-shaped satellite, or CubeSat, to withstand the rigors of space.

“Monoatomic oxygen and radiation can degrade the [satellite’s] solar cells at varying rates. SCAT can test the degradation of the cells over time by measuring their current versus past voltage,” said Felt. “It was developed mostly by students in the Small Satellite Lab under the direction of [NPS Space Systems Professor] Dr. Newman.

“We have just concluded testing and development of software using a replica of the satellite that will fly called an EDU [Engineer’s Development Unit],” added Felt. “We plan to do environmental testing on SCAT this upcoming week, which consists of vibration testing, as well as a thermal bake-out to allow any gases that would form in a vacuum or under heat to leach out in a safe environment.”

Minerva Initiative to Fund Two NPS Faculty-led Research Projects
MC1 Grant P. Ammon

NPS Department of National Security Affairs faculty Drs. Maria Rasmussen, Jessica Piombo and Naazneen Barma, from left to right, have the distinct honor of leading two separate multi-year research programs funded through the DOD’s highly-competitive Minerva Initiative. While NPS faculty have participated in Minerva projects in the past, this achievement marks the first time faculty from NPS will serve as lead principal investigators on projects funded through the prestigious program.

The Minerva Initiative is a Department of Defense (DOD)-sponsored, university-based, social science research initiative launched by the Secretary of Defense in 2008 focusing on areas of strategic importance to U.S. national security policy.