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Today@NPS


September 2013
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U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Shawn J. Stewart

NPS Alumnus Returns to Campus to Keynote Summer Graduation
MC2 Chablis J. Torrence

Members of NPS’ 2013 summer quarter graduating class march across the Quad on their way to King Auditorium, Sept. 27. The university honored 400 students earning 412 graduate degrees during the Summer Quarter Graduation Ceremony. 

Vice Adm. Richard W. Hunt, Director, Navy Staff and an NPS alumnus, delivered the keynote speech. Hunt's son Lt. Richard Hunt Jr. was a member of the graduating class.

Presiding over a graduation ceremony for the final time was NPS alumna and departing Interim President, Rear Adm. Jan E. Tighe, who after welcoming the graduates and their families acknowledged the work of faculty and staff in preparing the graduates.

“Before I introduce our guest speaker, there are a few groups of people I would like to recognize,” said Tighe. “First and foremost, I would like to acknowledge our faculty and staff that made this graduation possible. Your passion and commitment to this institution and to our students is profound and very appreciated.”



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U.S. Navy photo by Javier Chagoya

NWC Monterey Celebrates 56th Graduating Class
Javier Chagoya

The 56th graduating class of the Naval War College (NWC) Monterey partnership with NPS for Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) stands for a group portrait on the steps of Herrmann Hall, Sept. 19.

A total of 103 U.S. Navy, Army and Marine Corps officers earned their NWC Command and Staff diploma with JPME Phase I certification this past quarter.

NWC Monterey Chairman Fred Drake spoke to the graduating students on the subjects of innovation, integrity and communication during the graduation ceremony. “We have to be innovative and agile in this climate of shifting politics and financial constraints. Too often we search for a schooled solution to complex problems, but they are not easy to find because there are variables in real life,” said Drake.  

Through the NPS-NWC partnership, 3,398 officers have earned their JPME Phase I certification since the program’s inception in September 1999.



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U.S. Navy photo by Javier Chagoya

International Financial Managers Tackle Budget Execution Course
Javier Chagoya

Twenty-two course participants from nine countries listen in as NPS Defense Resources Management Institute (DRMI) Lecturer Mark Hladky presents a class on contracting methods for the Budget Preparation, Execution and Accountability (BPEA) course, Sept. 23. Hladky is one of several instructors participating in the two-week course providing principles and concepts for preparing and executing defense budgets.

“Within a general planning, programming, budgeting and execution system framework, [the BPEA] illustrates how planning and programming support national defense objectives and priorities,” said Hladky, who also serves as the course coordinator.  “The course focuses on how this kind of system allocates resources in the budget under changing circumstances.”

Students work through several case studies designed to capture the process of translating top-level guidance and integrating it at lower organizational levels to create a defensible budget, implement funds control, and establish performance management and accountability in the resource allocation process



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Photo courtesy NPS Center for Homeland Defense and Security

Longtime CHDS Executive Director Ted Lewis Honored
Brian Seals

Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS) Executive Director Ted Lewis, left, is pictured with center Director Glen Woodbury, right, following the presentation of the CHDS Founders Award to Lewis during a ceremony in NPS’ Watkins Hall, Sept. 4.

Lewis has been with the center since its inception, writing the first budget document and statement of work while playing a critical role in developing its curriculum. He has written extensively on computer science and his book, “Critical Infrastructure Protection, Defending a Networked Nation,” was the nation’s first textbook on critical infrastructure protection.

“This program [CHDS] is based on the quality of Ted’s leadership,” Woodbury said. “Ted has taught us how to push the envelope as far as possible.”

Woodbury further lauded Lewis for his ability to drive faculty, students and staff to think beyond the obvious to maintain the center’s leading edge academics. As Lewis said, “If things are running smoothly, it’s time to throw some sand in the gears.”



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U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Chablis J. Torrence

NSA Monterey Builds Awareness of National Preparedness Month
MC2 Chablis J. Torrence

A Sailor browses a Ready Navy pamphlet received from the Naval Support Activity Monterey (NSAM) Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) table set up in front of the El Prado Room in Herrmann Hall, Sept. 18. NSAM officials spent the lunch rush raising awareness for National Preparedness Month within the NPS, NSAM communities.

“You should always have a plan,” said NSAM Emergency Management Officer Dave Yeager. “Do you have your shot records, your pets’ shot records … these are the things people don’t think to have.”

Emergencies can happen quickly, officials stress, and you may need to evacuate quickly and not have time to gather or shop for supplies. “We are here to help get people ready for all types of emergencies,” said FFSC Site Director Jodi Pallett. “Not just for natural disasters but manmade hazards as will as domestic threats.



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U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Danica Sirmans

Quarter’s Top Students Honored During Award Ceremony
MC3 Danica Sirmans

German Army Maj. Tobias Treml has been selected as one of two Summer Quarter recipients of the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award for International Students. Treml was recognized along with Singaporean foreign national Lee Hsu Ann Daryl.

An operations research student, Treml performed his thesis research on the development of a model-based, systems engineering approach in determining specifications for future ground combat vehicles. “Operations research, even though I’d never heard of it before, is very helpful,” said Treml. “Especially at NPS … The curriculum is very practical and it can be implemented in so many places all around the world. It was a great opportunity.”

Treml felt honored in receiving the academic recognition but he was especially thankful for the lessons learned, he said.  A new father, he was particularly excited about the new addition to his family. “My greatest achievement. She’s the first American in the family,” he said.



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U.S. Navy photo by Javier Chagoya

CIRPAS Adds New Aircraft, Radar System to Inventory
Javier Chagoya

Naval Postgraduate School Center for Interdisciplinary Remotely-Piloted Aircraft Studies (CIRPAS) Aircraft Commander Dennis Hamaker looks over one of five newly-acquired aircraft in the facility’s hangar in Marina, Calif. The research center recently added multiple UAVs, another Twin Otter and an advanced radar system to its portfolio of research-supporting assets.

“The Twin Otter aircraft will be used to support post-doctoral atmospheric science and oceanography research,” said CIRPAS Director Bob Bluth. “It will also be used to monitor the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary’s eco-system.”

CIRPAS’ new Twin Otter was used previously by the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Demonstration Team, and will undergo a 3-to-5 year refitting process before it begins its new life as a research aircraft. Also recently acquired was an S-band radar system previously used in Army counter artillery operations. It will also be extensively modified to be used by CIRPAS researchers to study the formation of tornadoes throughout the Midwest’s infamous “tornado alley.”



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U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Shawn J. Stewart

Peninsula's Newest Chiefs Pinned During Ceremony on Campus
MC3 Shawn J. Stewart

The Monterey area's newest Chief Petty Officers bow their heads in thanks at a pinning ceremony in front of NPS’ Herrmann Hall, Sept. 13. Area commands advanced four Sailors to the rank of Chief Petty Officer (CPO). The ceremony featured chief selects from the Center for Information Dominance Unit (CIDU) and the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center (FNMOC).

“No other military branch entrusts their E-7s with the level of responsibility exercised by Navy Chiefs,” said Chief Aviation Boatswains’ Mate (Equipment) Rigoberto Garcia, the enlisted command career counselor.

During the event, the newly-appointed chiefs were ceremonially pinned to the rank of CPO by family members and fellow chiefs. The pinning is the conclusion of a six-week training program designed to give the Sailors a better understanding of what it means to be a Navy chief.



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U.S. Navy photo by Javier Chagoya

Landmark Paper on Glacial Melt Published in Science Magazine
Kenneth Stewart

Oceanography Research Professor Tim Stanton is pictured with his Ocean Flux Profiler, an instrumentation package he designed and built, and along with a team of researchers, deployed beneath Antarctica’s Pine Island Glacier to measure the rate at which glacial ice is melting from below. The results of the research team’s landmark study are published in the Sept. 13 edition of Science magazine.

Stanton and University of Alaska Fairbanks Professor Martin Truffer traveled to the Pine Island Glacier late last year where they obtained the first-ever measurements of warm water melting processes beneath the massive ice shelf.

Stanton and Truffer have been working for years with colleagues from Pennsylvania State University, NASA, the British Antarctic Survey, and New York University in an effort, funded primarily by the National Science Foundation, to measure these effects. Their efforts are expected to vastly improve models of the global effects of climate change on sea-level rise.

Stanton’s measurements were made possible by the successful development and deployment of his Ocean Flux Profiler and Fixed-Depth Ocean Flux Package sensors.



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U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Chablis J. Torrence

CRUSER’s Monthly Meetings Keep Campus Informed on Relevant Education, Research
MC2 Chablis J. Torrence

Members of NPS’ Consortium for Robotics and Unmanned Systems Education and Research (CRUSER) listen in as Dr. Peter Guest details research on the atmospheric affects of electromagnetic radiation, Sept. 11. This month’s meeting also included a presentation by NPS student, Lt. Andrew Streenan, on his co-authored paper, “Diver Relative UUV Navigation for Joint Human-Robot Operations.”

Traditionally held in Root Hall on campus, CRUSER’s monthly meetings provide a collaborative forum for discussing topics of interest and current research in the areas of robotics, unmanned systems and more.

“These meetings are open to everyone,” emphasized NPS Department of Information Science Senior Lecturer Steven Iatrou.



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U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Shawn J. Stewart

Engineering Curricula Reviewed by ABET Accreditation Team
MC3 Danica Sirmans

Dr. Thomas Hanley, chair of the ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission NPS evaluation team, leads a final outbrief of their visit to campus leaders in the Elster Conference Room, Sept. 10. The accreditation team spent two days visiting NPS for an evaluation of five engineering programs through the Graduate School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

“We’d like to begin by thanking the Naval Postgraduate School and its officers, deans, faculty, staff and students for the time and effort that they all invested to ensure our time and visit was productive,” said Hanley, a professor of chemical engineering at Auburn University. “They were cooperative, and we were able to get full and candid answers to our questions.”

With the university’s relevant programs last awarded ABET accreditation in 2007, the visit marks the initiation of the reaccreditation process. Established in 1932 as the Engineers’ Council for Professional Development, renamed the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology in 1980, and officially changed to simply ABET in 2005, the organization accredits more than 3,100 programs at 600 colleges and universities worldwide.



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U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Shawn J. Stewart

NPS Faculty, Staff, and Students Reflect on Patriots’ Day
MC3 Danica Sirmans

Dudley Knox Library’s newest addition is complete and serving up Starbucks coffee. NPS Police Officers Sal Araujo, left, and Zachary Reiner, right, were the first in line to order their favorite beverages when the café opened for business, Aug. 9.

“We hope this will be your neighborhood spot to study, take a moment to unwind, grab a well-deserved treat, or meet with friends,” said Naval Support Activity Monterey Commanding Officer Capt. Gerral David.

The site offers worktables and plenty of study areas for students as they enjoy a cup of their favorite beverage.



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U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Shawn J. Stewart

CORE Lab Co-Director, SOF Chair Retires From Military Service
MC3 Shawn J. Stewart

U.S. Army Col. Greg R. Wilson, left, Co-Director of the Common Operational Research Environment (CORE) Lab and Special Operations Forces Chair at NPS, receives the Legion of Merit Award from the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Lt. Gen. Charles T. Cleveland, right, during Wilson’s retirement ceremony in Herrmann Hall, Sept. 6.

Wilson was applauded by both colleagues and family members alike for a highlight of his 28-year military career – his role in rescuing three hostages from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) during Operation Jaque in 2008.  

Wilson is wrapping up his third stint at NPS, where as Co-Director of the defense analysis department’s CORE Lab with Dr. Sean Everton, he has continued to build his reputation as a “soldier scholar.”



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U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Chablis J. Torrence

Pardon Our Dust … Construction Around Herrmann Hall
MC2 Chablis J. Torrence

Herrmann Hall will undergo a major renovation over the next six months. The recently-erected exterior scaffolding, pictured above, represents the first phase in a series of much-needed repairs.

“The entire project is scheduled for completion around June of 2014,” said Soltek Pacific Construction Quality Control Manager Mark Barresi.

The $6.4 million project addresses the need for increased energy efficiency and the conservation of resources. Project managers also hope their efforts will lead to increased occupant productivity and comfort.

Renovations are scheduled to include, amongst other things, repairs and modification to the La Novia Terrace, the Tower Room, and the sand blasting and exterior painting of Herrmann Hall.



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U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Danica Sirmans

Naval War College Review Honors NPS Faculty with Best Paper Awards
MC3 Danica Sirmans

Hugh G. Nott Prize winners, retired Navy Capts. and Professors of Practice, Wayne P. Hughes, left, and Jeffrey Kline, right, hold their winning submissions to the Naval War College Review in front of Glasgow Hall, Sept. 5. Hughes and Kline were honored for papers published in the Review’s Summer and Autumn editions, respectively.

Hughes’ paper, “Naval Operations: A Close Look at the Operational Level of War at Sea,” won first place, and Hughes’ and Kline’s co-authored, “Between Peace and the Air-Sea Battle: A War at Sea Strategy,” took second-place honors.

The Nott Prize was established in the early ‘80s, recognizing the three top articles published in the Review through the calendar year, with the exception of the Miller Prize award-winner given to the top historical piece through the same period. The Review was established in 1948 and is a forum for discussion of public policy matters of interest to the maritime services.



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U.S. Navy photo by Javier Chagoya

New Army War College Fellow Returns to Campus
Javier Chagoya

U.S. Army Col. David Markowski was selected by the Army War College Fellowship program to attend a 10-month fellowship in NPS’ Department of Defense Analysis. Each year, the Department of the Army selects a limited number of officers as Senior Service College Fellows. Selected officers take part in a 10-month program that partners the fellows with universities, allied service schools, civilian think tanks, corporations and government agencies.  

Markowski is quick to credit much of his success over the last eight years to the education he received at the university. “After I graduated in December of ‘04, I immediately went to work in different staff positions, and the critical thinking skills I learned at NPS helped me in all of them,” said Markowski. “NPS is the best education in the military, bar none. ”

“I look forward to mentoring the junior officers in the department as part of my greater contribution,” he noted.



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U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Shawn J. Stewart

Faculty Detail Biofuels, Combustion Research Underway at NPS
MC3 Shawn J. Stewart

Dr. Knox Millsaps, Chairman of the NPS Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE), addresses students, faculty and staff during a special lecture on alternative fuels and advanced combustion cycles, Aug. 28. Millsaps and MAE Associate Professor Dr. Chris Brophy provided the latest presentation in the Defense Energy Seminar series detailing related campus research in support of the Navy’s 2020 energy goals.

“With this lecture, we are looking to convey what MAE is doing in the area of alternative fuels and advanced combustion cycles which utilize a detonation-based combustion modification,” said Brophy.

Although the lecture was designed to be broad, it touched on specific research programs sponsored by the Office of Naval Research, including research into the combustion properties of drop-in biofuel replacements for both ships and aircraft.  

“Alternative fuels research directly supports the Navy's 2020 energy plan for supplementing our existing fuel supply lines,” said Brophy. “This research not only investigates and helps qualify new renewable fuels for the Navy, but our detonation-based combustion research is investigating ways to improve the energy conversion process for improving total system efficiencies of power generation systems on Navy surface ships as well.“








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Today@NPS showcases some of the speakers, conferences, experiments, lectures, and other events that take place at the Naval Postgraduate School on a daily basis. If you would like more information about any of the highlighted activities please contact the Office of University Communications at pao@nps.edu.
September 2013 Title

September 2013