NPS Says Farewell to Winter Quarter Graduates
Kenneth A. Stewart

Winter Quarter graduates walk in formation during the NPS Winter Quarter Commencement Ceremony, March 29. NPS honored 366 students earning 367 advanced graduate degrees during the Ceremony.

Presiding over the ceremony was NPS alumna and Interim President, Rear Adm. Jan E. Tighe. Tighe welcomed graduates and their families and acknowledged the recent work of faculty and staff.

Tighe’s remarks were followed by those of former U.S. Atlantic Fleet Commander, retired Admiral Henry H. Mauz. Mauz also recognized the contributions made by NPS faculty members.

“This faculty has taken years to build, the depth and breath of our faculty is absolutely outstanding and nationally recognized,” said Mauz.

Cyber Security Leader Meets with NPS Students, Faculty
Kenneth A. Stewart

FireEye Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Dave DeWalt, left, leaves NPS’ Herrmann Hall with Information Dominance Center Director, Cmdr. Tim Unrein, right, and NPS Military Professor, Lt. Cmdr. Mark Heller. DeWalt met with students attending the Cyber Mission Execution Short Course to discuss the industry perspective on emerging cyber threats.

“89% of all attacks can be traced back to a single country … In the Chinese military, there are entire groups dedicated to stealing U.S. intellectual property in order to fuel China’s economic growth,” said DeWalt.

DeWalt advocates a collaborative approach to defeating cyber threats. He insists that the sophistication of threats posed by state and non-state actors necessitates the sharing of information and legislative support. “If there was legislation that allowed us to share information, a safe harbor agreement, it would be a huge step,” said DeWalt. “Safe harbors that allowed us to share information, and the government to inspect that information sharing, would make it possible for us to cooperate on a much larger scale.”

NSA Monterey Honored for Environmental Stewardship
Kenneth A. Stewart

Natural Resource Specialists Todd Wills and Vicki Taber are pictured outside one of the historic cottages that dot the central NPS campus. Naval Support Activity (NSA) Monterey, home to NPS, was recently awarded two prestigious Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) awards for cultural resource management and installation sustainability.

“The CNO environmental awards recognize Navy ships, installations and people for outstanding performance in promoting environmental stewardship,” said Installation Environmental Program Director Johanna Turner.

Scattered throughout NSA Monterey are dozens of historic buildings set against a backdrop of natural beauty. Environmental specialists work quietly behind the scenes to protect NPS’ historic and natural splendor. “The federally-recognized historical districts, Hotel Del Monte and Engineering Quad, make up 80 percent of the NPS main campus,” said Natural Resource Specialist Todd Wills. “The Navy has been entrusted with these really interesting and unique historic properties and we have an obligation to preserve them for the American people.”

NPS Honor Guard Serves Central Coast Communities
MC1 Rob Rubio

Former NPS Honor Guard Coordinator, Electronics Technician First Class Darry Pilkington, center, assists Culinary Specialist Second Class Darin Wright and Information System Technician Seamen DeAngelo Tauala fold the national colors during funeral honors training. The NPS Honor Guard is available for funerals and events throughout the Central Coast.

“Every event that we perform at is fulfilling,” said color guard member Yeomen Seaman Breana Ruiz. “It is an amazing experience and an honor.”

The NPS team is responsible for rendering final honors at select Navy funerals from San Jose to San Luis Obispo. They take part in a time-honored ceremony characterized by the presentation of the national colors and the playing of taps. The California National Guard or members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars often participate through the firing of rifle volleys.

NWC Celebrates Winter Graduation
MC2 Chablis J. Torrence

The Naval War College (NWC) Monterey recognized 72 graduates, pictured above, during a ceremony at Herrmann Hall, March 21. College of Distance Education Deputy Director, Professor Leonard W. Wildemann and NWC Monterey Program Chair, Professor Fred P. Drake, Jr., presided over the ceremony.

“This is no small accomplishment,” said Wildemann. “You have started on the path of career officers.”

The NWC Command and Staff program educates military officers in areas that will enhance their performance and decision making abilities in both command and major staff positions.

“We have not trained, but educated you … we have not taught you what to think, but how to think,” continued Wildemann.

In partnership with NPS, the NWC's College of Distance Education provides NPS students the opportunity to earn a NWC Command and Staff diploma while completing graduate education at NPS. The NWC Monterey Program has produced 3,204 graduates since its establishment in 1999.

NPS Student Champions Cyber Professionals Association
Kenneth A. Stewart

Army Capt. Joseph Billingsley of Stanford, Conn., left, meets with retired Air Force Lt. Col. Wayne Shaw, right, an exercise planner with the Association of Old Crows. Billingsley is developing the military’s first cyber warfare professional association, and reached out to the Old Crows for inspiration and advice. The Cyber Professionals Association hopes to recruit an interdisciplinary community of both active duty and civilian cyber warfare professionals.

“I am try to get folks from different world views to sit down and collaborate, and I decided to do that through the creation of a cyber association,” said Billingsley. “I came up as a signal officer in Iraq … I saw the need for more cross talk and a need for understanding in the cyber domain.”

The Cyber Professionals Association will be officially launched at NPS to provide a professional home for the burgeoning cyber operations community. According to Billingsley, the association’s Monterey  chapter will serve as both a prototype and the association’s flagship, as it branches out to build a national organization.

Former Ambassador to Thailand Shares Insight With NPS FAOs
MCSN Danica M. Sirmans

Former U.S. Ambassador to Thailand David Lambertson addresses students in NPS’ Department of National Security Affairs Joint Intelligence Support to Crisis Operations class in Glasgow Hall, March 13. Lambertson shared insights into embassy operations and the latest political developments in Asia.

“Ambassador Lambertson shared his wealth of knowledge on how the state department works,” said NSA Military Faculty and Senior Intelligence Officer Navy Capt. Jennith Hoyt. “He also met with Foreign Area Officers [studying at NPS] and spoke about their roles and functions in embassies, as well as how to get the best of both worlds for the state department and the military.”

Lambertson served as the Ambassador to Thailand from 1991 to 1995.

Luncheon Honors Winter Quarter's Top International Students
Javier Chagoya

Moldovan Army Lt. Col. Sergiu Vicol prepares to accept the Graduate School of Business and Public Policy's Faculty International Student Award during NPS’ International Graduation Luncheon in the Herrmann Hall La Novia Room, March 8.

Several international students were recognized at the luncheon for their academic accomplishments. Singaporean Defense Science and Technology Agency employee, Boon Heng Chua, was awarded the prestigious Outstanding Academic Achievement Award for International Students. Other students recognized during the ceremony include Grace Murray Hopper Computer Science Award winner, Australian Army Capt. Richard Pudadera, and Graduate School of Business and Public Policy Faculty International Student Award recipient Moldovan Army Lt. Col. Sergiu Vicol.

A total of 29 students from 14 countries will graduate with the full Winter quarter's class, March 29.

NPS Business School Students Participate in Virtual Thesis Day Event
MC1 Rob Rubio

Cmdr. Gary Lazzaro presents his thesis, “Manpower Requirements Estimation for Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne and Strike Squadrons,” during the Graduate School of Business and Public Policy's first 'virtual' Thesis Day event, March 11.

A regular event, Thesis Day provides an opportunity for select top-performing students to present their research to senior Department of the Navy leaders. Given current travel restrictions, this year's event was held via live video teleconference to Navy leadership at several locations. “This smooth and trouble free, first fully virtual thesis day event may have ensured that this is done for the foreseeable future,” said N1 Senior Program Manager Wayne Wagner, who oversees research activities related to the Navy’s Office of Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education.

The occasion also marks the presentation of the Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP) Award for Academic Excellence in Manpower, Personnel and Training Analysis, awarded to Lazzaro by NPS Interim President Rear Adm. Jan E. Tighe. 

Internet2 CEO, Senior Leadership Visit NPS
MCSN Danica M. Sirmans

President and CEO of Internet2, H. David Lambert, right, and Senior Vice President, Shel Waggener, left, lead a presentation for students and faculty in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering  Auditorium, March 11. Internet2 is a not-for-profit networked community that collaborates with academic institutions by creating and utilizing innovative technologies.

Lambert’s presentation, “Internet2: Innovation, Transformation, and Community,” outlined the organization’s role in research and resource sharing amongst academic institutions. “This network gives you the amazing opportunity to explore your science, provide support to your science, and it enables you to have a lot more control over your destiny in cyberspace … all because you are engaged and participating in the cyber community,” said Lambert.

Lambert was named CEO of Internet2 in July 2010. The Internet2 community represents a wide range of disciplines including arts and humanities, health sciences, science and engineering, and K-20 education.

Robotics Professor Wins 2013 Hamming Interdisciplinary Achievement Award
MC2 Chablis J. Torrence

Dr. Jim Wirtz, left, Dean of the School of International Graduate Studies, presents National Security Affairs Distinguished Professor Emeritus Dr. Thomas Bruneau with a certificate during a recognition ceremony, March 7. Bruneau was recognized for his 25 years of service to the Navy.

Bruneau served as Chair of the National Security Affairs department and Director of the Center for Civil-Military Relations. He is a noted expert on Latin American politics, particularly Brazilian politics, and he has written extensively on issues related to civil-military relations and democracies. “I had been a professor for 18 years before joining NPS in 1987,” said Bruneau. “Retirement for me will probably not be very different from my long employment as a U.S. Government employee.”

Having officially retired, Feb. 28, Bruneau will continue to have an active presence at NPS. He will continue to serve on thesis committees and periodically teach classes.

Annual CHDS Workshop Helps Alumni Share Lessons Learned
MC1 Leonardo Carrillo

NPS Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS) alumni discuss current homeland defense topics during the CHDS Alumni Professional Exchange (APEX) Education Workshop, held on the university campus in late February.

“This workshop is important to our alumni, they look forward to engaging in discussions on a wide range of topics that they may not otherwise have access to,” said CHDS Director Glen Woodbury. “Our alumni form a cadre of homeland security professionals and they are always striving to gain more knowledge about their craft.”

Conference attendees explored a diverse array of topics with subject matter experts specializing in everything from active shooter deterrence and biological warfare, to external conflicts and internal security threats. CHDS has been providing graduate homeland security programs and executive education for more than a decade.

Robotics Professor Wins 2013 Hamming Interdisciplinary Achievement Award
MC2 Chablis J. Torrence

Consortium for Robotics and Unmanned Systems Education and Research (CRUSER) Director of Education and Research, Dr. Timothy Chung, has been honored as the recipient of the 2013 Richard W. Hamming Annual Faculty Award for Interdisciplinary Achievement.

“It’s an incredible honor, and a testament to the types of research and opportunities that our students provide,” said Chung, an Assistant Professor in the NPS Department of Systems Engineering. Students are reminding us that it’s not about the departments they specialize in, Chung added, but the mission as a whole. "This honor is a good reminder of that.”

The annual faculty award is named for NPS Distinguished Professor Emeritus Dr. Richard W. Hamming, and highlights a faculty member that demonstrates commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship and exceptional teaching skills. NPS Acting Provost Dr. O. Douglas Moses recognized Chung for his far-reaching and innovative accomplishments.

Former Ambassador to Uganda Meets FAOs from NPS and DLI
MCSN Danica M. Sirmans

Former U.S. Ambassador to Uganda Steven Browning, right, speaks with Navy Capt. Bernie Wang in Glasgow Hall, March 7. Current Diplomat in Residence for the Pacific Northwest/Northern California region, Browning met with NPS and Defense Language Institute students to discuss the responsibilities of U.S. State Department diplomats, with whom many of the students will be working as they progress in their own careers.

Browning, who began his career as a State Department Foreign Service Management Officer, also spoke of the opportunities that former military FAOs have at the State Department, part of his responsibilities as the regional Diplomat in Residence.

“I wanted to make sure that they knew that becoming a Foreign Service officer is an option,” Browning said.  “I’m here to raise awareness about who we are … We love former military; they bring a very strong skill-set of leadership expertise … they come very highly prepared to be diplomats.”

Enlisted NPS Student Inspires Intelligence Innovation
Kenneth Stewart

Army Special Forces Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Linnel demonstrates the Lighthouse SSE application that he developed in conjunction with the NPS Department of Defense Analysis’ Common Operational Research Environment (CORE) Lab. Lighthouse SSE applies CORE Lab developed methodologies to site exploitation and intelligence gathering. Linnel’s application attempts to simplify the process of site exploitation by giving context to the plethora of pictures, faces, documents and reports born of complex operations.

"This is about enabling analysts to rapidly connect the dots and better inform decision makers," said CORE Lab Co-Director Army Special Forces Col. Greg Wilson. "The ability to rapidly exploit this type of information can enable us to get inside the enemy’s decision cycle."

The first version of Linnel’s application transitioned to pilot field-testing in early March. Subsequent versions will exploit advances in 3-D modeling with the goal of creating a device that is capable of molding individual photographs together to develop a complete model of the structure inside. For more information on Lighthouse SSE, check out the full story on the NPS.edu.

NPS Staff Participate in Local Science Fair
MC1 Rob Rubio

NPS Marine Corps Staff Deputy for Research, Capt. Anthony Pollman, speaks to a student at the International School of Monterey (ISM) about her science fair project. Pollman served as a guest judge at the ISM’s 7th and 8th grade science fair, Feb. 21.

“Our students are using the ISM fair to prepare themselves for the Monterey County Science fair, March 8-10,” said ISM Administrator Alex Hofsteen. “Parent judges from NPS were a great help.”

The ISM routinely reaches out to parents with science backgrounds for assistance. This year, NPS parent Natalie Webb was instrumental in recruiting student judges from NPS.

“Natalie knew that we were coming up short on the needed number of science fair judges and put out the word to her  colleagues,” said Hofsteen. “NPS volunteerism is a welcome development.”

Students Help Promote STEM at Pebble Beach Pro-Am
MC1 Leonardo Carrillo

NPS student, Australian Army Capt. Adam Crockett, pictured left, poses a question to area youth during a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) presentation at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, Feb. 8. Crockett was one of several NPS students who volunteered at this year’s tournament.

“This is amazing,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Andrew Metzcus, another of the NPS student contingent of tournament volunteers. “Seeing the kids have fun and learning at the same time is a very rewarding experience.”

Metzcus is currently studying in the electrical engineering program at the university, and admitted that if he wasn't serving as a student at NPS, he would have ambitions for an active role in the teaching profession. Regardless, he noted, the value of inspiring the children's curiosity and sparking thought was well worth the efforts. “Promoting independent thought is essential to the future of our society,” Metzcus said.

CYBERCOM Deputy Commander Reviews CSO Program
MCSN Danica M. Sirmans

Deputy Commander of the U.S. Cyber Command, Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Jon M. Davis, is briefed by faculty and select students from the cyber systems and operations (CSO) program in the Information Dominance Center for Excellence, Feb. 27. Davis received an update on network-hacking countermeasures that have yielded promising results in preliminary testing.

Davis, an NPS alumnus, spoke of the importance of the university's cyber warfare research, and the need to build a cadre of professional cyber experts to protect U.S. interests. “This school has strategic value to our nation,” said Davis. "This is a critical time … We are going to need 6,000 people in the next three years to build a cyber force.”

The U.S. Cyber Command is responsible for synchronizing warfighting efforts to defend the information security environment. Davis has served as deputy commander since July 2012.

CRUSER Marks Membership Milestone
Kenneth A. Stewart

Navy Cmdr. Jeff Hyink, second from left, is congratulated by NPS Consortium for Robotics and Unmanned Systems Education and Research (CRUSER)  officials Lisa Trawick and retired Navy Capts. Jeff Kline and Carol O'Neal, from left, for becoming the community's 1,000th member.

Established just two years ago at the direction of the Office of the Secretary of the Navy, CRUSER was created to align educational and research efforts across disciplines and organizations, acting as a facilitator for the Navy's interest in current and future unmanned systems and robotics. 

“CRUSER is an inclusive community … It encompasses successful research, education and experimentation efforts in unmanned systems currently ongoing at NPS and across the naval enterprise,” said Kline.

CRUSER officials say the community is very active in encouraging students and faculty from across campus to bring new ideas and innovation into the areas of robotics and unmanned systems. The organization's Innovation Workshop, popular Robots in the Roses research fair, and Technical Continuum are just a few examples of its inclusive approach.

Familiar Face Takes Over as NPS Dean of Students
MC1 Leonardo Carrillo

Incoming NPS Dean of Students, Navy Capt. Tom MacRae, right, shares a laugh with the outgoing dean, Capt. Matt “Dutch” Vandersluis, left, in the Dean of Student’s office, Mar. 1.

Vandersluis, whose next assignment will take him to the Indian Ocean to serve as Commanding Officer, U.S. Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia, reflected upon his time at the helm of the NPS student population. “Dean of Students might just be the best job in the Navy,” said Vandersluis. “You are surrounded by the best and most highly-qualified faculty and staff, and the student body is motivated and focused.”

MacRae transitions into the Dean of Students office following his assignment as the Military Associate Dean for the Graduate School of Business and Public Policy right here on campus. MacRae noted he looks forward to the position, and for what's to come at the institution. “I’m proud to be associated with our outstanding students,” said MacRae. “I firmly believe NPS will continue to prove its value to our students, military and government agencies.”

NPS Partners with Marine Corps Expeditionary Energy Office
Natalie N. Stamey

Marine Corps Expeditionary Energy Office (E2O) Director, Col. Bob “Brutus” Charette, responds to a question during an Energy Innovation for the Warfighter presentation, Feb. 27. Charette also met NPS students participating in the multidisciplinary energy studies support for the Marine Corps E2O research partnership.

“We’re seeding the future out here. The seeds we plant here are going to be the plants that grow in the future, and we want them to grow with energy in mind,” said Charette. “That’s why we have this thesis support program … With students here at NPS, we can get not only a great thesis product, we get the product and the person.”  

The E20 research partnership is a multiyear program launched in November 2012. The E20 office is currently sponsoring 10 projects involving nine faculty members from six academic departments, as well as distance-learning students from all services.

Supreme Allied Commander Transformation Meets with NPS Faculty
MC1 Grant Ammon

French Air Force General Jean-Paul Paloméros, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (ACT), meets with U.S. Partnership for Peace Training and Education Center Program Office Director Tom Hazard during a roundtable discussion, Feb. 26. Paloméros and members of his staff visited NPS to discuss the school’s capabilities and the potential for future collaboration between ACT and NPS.

During the meeting, Paloméros and members of his staff were briefed on a variety of topics from NPS subject matter experts. Topics included cybersecurity, innovation and transformation, as well as the future of the global commons and environmental issues.

“The purpose was to bring all of our academic capability and capacity to bear in support of NATO and NATO partners,” said Hazard. “They have a prevention of crisis mission, as well as requirements to be warfighter ready and interoperable,” he added. “They have to fulfill all of those broad requirements, and when you look at other [academic] institutions in regard to capabilities, it’s hard to match NPS.”