The NEEC Blog

By Keith Bretzius on 5/16/2012 3:10 PM
The following commentary was submitted and written by University of New Orleans Professor Chris B. McKesson, P.E. Thank you for your contribution!

Knowledge ManagmentIn my work with Dr. Cherie Trumbach I have learned about an important toolset in Knowledge Management, and the use of this toolset in strategic planning.

It began when I was pondering the question “Where is the greatest R&D need in Naval Engineering?” From Dr. Trumbach I learned that there are well-defined tools that can be used to answer exactly this question. I believe that this is a field of great opportunity for naval engineering.

This is admittedly a new area for naval engineers, but as a result it has the potential to give remarkably high pay-offs: A so called high-risk/high-payoff opportunity. Whereas in the past our ‘tools’ investment has been principally in traditional ship design disciplines, we are now in a situation where a much larger gain – say 5- or 10-x – would result from an investment in tools in that discipline known as “knowledge management.”

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By Keith Bretzius on 1/26/2012 12:09 PM
NEEC Featured Research: An Unmanned Vehicle Testbed for Teaching, Training and Learning Navy-Relevant Autonomy Posted: January 26, 2012  When talking about naval engineering research, few topics grab more headlines than Unmanned Autonomous Systems (UASs). Whether high in the sky or in the ocean depths, UASs are extremely important in supporting the Navy’s missions. Offering the ability to remove humans from physical danger and mentally fatiguing situations, UASs are ideal forexploration and surveillance as the battlefield is broadened and technological advances.... Read More (registered members only)

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By Keith Bretzius on 11/22/2011 2:10 PM
In the previous post we took a look at some of the facts and figures related to next-gen engineers. Specifically, we looked at the question, “Is there an engineering crisis?” and “Do we need more engineers in the United States?” This topic took center stage On October 16, 2011 as Dr. Charles M. Vest addressed attendees at the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) Annual Conference in Washington D.C. To view the full speech click here: http://www.nae.edu/Activities/Events/AnnualMeetings/19611/53074.aspx

In part 2 of this post we will look at “Why?” Why do the current trends point to a dramatic shift away from engineering fields of study? According to the study referenced in the speech, this trend has been going on for some time. 

“Actually, it has been the case for almost 50 years. The total number of bachelor’s degrees in all fields has grown by 220 percent from 500,000 in 1966 to 1.6 million today while the numbers...
By Keith Bretzius on 10/19/2011 3:59 PM
On October 16, 2011 Dr. Charles M. Vest addressed attendees at the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) Annual Conference in Washington D.C. Dr. Vest, an accomplished academic with strong ties to the University of Michigan and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (both of which are NEEC consortium members), discussed the future of engineering in the United States while at the same time, reinforcing his thoughts with startling statistics and data. The overriding theme of the presentation centered on, “Do we need more engineers?” In a word, yes. Dr. Vest offered the following reasons: U.S. industry, including the national security industry, is facing a wave of retirements in the coming years; It is not crystal clear that we will forever be able to fill the engineering gap with the best and brightest from other countries; Many high-tech companies report that they cannot find qualified U.S. citizens to fill critically important engineering and technology jobs, including in manufacturing;...

News Feeds

FY-13 Chief's Board Package Deadline Approaches

Sun, 20 May 2012 02:35:35 -0400

Sailors who have submitted a board package to the Fiscal Year 2013 (FY-13) Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Selection Board can confirm its receipt at Navy Personnel Command (NPC) by clicking on the "Selection Board Status" link on www.npc.navy.mil, officials said May 14.

Essex Returns to San Diego after 12 Years

Sun, 20 May 2012 02:35:35 -0400

USS Essex (LHD 2) is returning to San Diego May 17, after completing 12 years as the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed amphibious assault ship in Sasebo, Japan.

Swift Conducts TSC Visit in Pointe Noire

Sun, 20 May 2012 02:35:35 -0400

Congolese navy sailors greeted the crew of High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV 2) after they arrived in Pointe Noire to conduct a theater security cooperation (TSC) visit as part of Africa Partnership Station (APS) 2012, May 15.

Blue Ridge Builds Friendship with Indonesia

Sun, 20 May 2012 02:35:35 -0400

Sailors aboard U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), embarked 7th Fleet staff and Marines assigned to Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team Pacific departed Jakarta, Indonesia May 15, after a four-day port visit strengthening bonds between the U.S. and Indonesian navies.

USS George H.W. Bush Receives Fleet's Top Honors

Sun, 20 May 2012 02:35:35 -0400

USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) received the fleet's highest recognition for superior operational performance and excellence in safety during an awards ceremony in the ship's hangar bay, May 16.

2011 Sailors of the Year Advanced to Chief Petty Officer

Sun, 20 May 2012 02:35:35 -0400

The Navy's 2011 Sailors of the Year (SOY) were meritoriously advanced to chief petty officer during a ceremony held at the Navy Memorial, May 17.

Navy Announces New Uniform Components, Regulations

Sun, 20 May 2012 02:35:35 -0400

NAVADMIN 164/12, released May 18, announced the chief of naval operations' (CNO) approval of a number of changes to uniforms and uniform wear policy.

New Policy Allows Reserve Leave Carry-Over

Sun, 20 May 2012 02:35:35 -0400

Navy implementation of DoD policy allowing Reservists to carry over leave earned during an active duty period to a later active duty period was announced in NAVADMIN 163/12, May 18.

UNITAS Pacific Begins in Peru

Sun, 20 May 2012 02:35:35 -0400

Naval representatives from Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and the United States gathered in the Ricardo Palma auditorium at the Peruvian naval base to officially recognize the beginning of UNITAS Pacific (PAC) at an opening ceremony in Callao, Peru, May 14.

NECC Announces Formation of Coastal Riverine Force

Sun, 20 May 2012 02:35:35 -0400

Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) is establishing a new command, the Coastal Riverine Force (CORIVFOR), a merger of Riverine Group 1 and the Maritime Expeditionary Security Force (MESF), June 1.

Got a Pirate Problem? There's Even an App for That

Sun, 20 May 2012 02:35:35 -0400

The Department of Defense will begin funding an Office of Naval Research (ONR)-sponsored project aimed at developing Web applications to help multinational navies police the world's oceans, officials announced May 14.

Navy Commissions Amphibious Transport Dock Ship San Diego

Sun, 20 May 2012 02:35:35 -0400

The Navy will commission the newest San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship San Diego during a 10 a.m. PDT ceremony Saturday, May 19, 2012, in San Diego, Calif.

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