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By Keith Bretzius on 2/20/2012 12:21 PM
Rising Above the Gathering StormRevisiting the Storm When I was first hired in this position I was told to read the report, “Rising Above the Gathering Storm,” since this report played a critical role in the formation of the Naval Engineering Education Center. What was the report about? I suppose if I had to summarize the 500+ page report, I would say - Globalization has increased competition across the world and delivered knowledge and technology to areas which has resulted in a gradual shift in the economic and strategic leadership the United States has experienced for generations. As a result, we are quickly losing our competitive edge. Just the other day I was on the National Academy of Engineering website (http://www.nae.edu) and I noticed one of the most popular items was, “Rising Above the Gathering Storm,...
By Keith Bretzius on 2/6/2012 5:40 PM
LCS Mission ModulesThe Navy recently announced a major milestone as it completed the first phase of reliability testing for its Remote Minehunting System (RMS).  The RMS is an integral part of Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) mine countermeasures mission package which will go into another phase of reliability testing sometime in 2012.  There is no question that mines can wreak havoc on naval vessels and the Navy has been working hard to develop autonomous technology for detecting and identifying these threats. Autonomous technology reduces the human element in these mundane and taxing tasks. Also, throw in Iran and current threats surrounding the Straits of Hormuz and this task is especially important in littoral and shallow-water zones. What’s key is that...
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 1/23/2012 3:44 PM
Naval Engineering ForcastIt's good to know that in troubled budget times, the Navy's shipbuilding programs appear to be safe from cuts…at least for now. As outlined in this article post on the Navy Times, construction programs apparently will not be slashed to meet an expected Pentagon-wide spending reduction.  

“We’ve placed a priority on shipbuilding,” Sean Stackley, the Navy’s top acquisition official, told reporters last week. “You can see a lot of alignment between the defense strategy and what the Navy does.”



This is good news, especially when  you consider the DoD’s recently released report, “Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st Century Defense”, which outlines a strategic focus on the Pacific and heighten concern in areas of Anti-Access/Area Denial  (A2/AD) - where the Navy’s intent is to credibly deter aggression and to keep waterways safe and free. 

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By Keith Bretzius on 1/3/2012 3:50 PM
Unchartered WatersNaval Engineering – Aspiration or Necessity? The newly released on-line issue of PRISM, the flagship publication of the American Society for Engineering Education, features an article titled, “Uncharted Waters”. If you have any interest in systems engineering, the future of our engineering workforce, the Navy, or our national defense - I recommend taking the time to read this article by Art Pine.

Summarized in the article is the evolution of the naval engineering landscape as seen through the eyes of the Navy and the researchers who support arguably the most important of the four National Naval Responsibilities outlined by the Office of Naval Research (ONR).

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By Keith Bretzius on 12/21/2011 4:39 PM
Green Ship Efforts toward a “Green Fleet” have taken a significant step toward reality over the past few weeks. On December 5th, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) signed a contract to purchase 450,000 gallons of advanced drop-in biofuel, the single largest purchase of biofuel in government history. This is a big step for Mabus’ broader energy strategy plans to transform the Navy into an energy-efficient fleet.

In case you were wondering, the biofuel comes from a blend of non-food waste (used cooking oil) produced by Dynamic Fuels, LLC, and algae produced by Solazyme. The fuel will be used in the Navy's demonstration of...
By Keith Bretzius on 12/7/2011 4:10 PM
Pearl Harbor's Overlooked AnswerIf you are interested in taking a step back into history on this, the 70th anniversary of the attack at Pearl Harbor, I encourage you to read, “Pearl Harbor's Overlooked Answer.” This article is written by Jonathan Parshall and J. Michael Wenger and appears in the December 2011 issue of the Naval History Magazine.



From official investigations to conspiracy theories, efforts to account for how the United States was caught...
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;...
By Keith Bretzius on 9/2/2011 7:15 AM

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus recently spoke at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California on August 29th followed by an appearance at the National Clean Energy Summit 4.0 in Las Vegas on August 30th. Both appearances focused on energy and set out to promote the Navy’s aggressive energy efficiency and sustainment initiatives.


News Feeds

Navy Releases FY-12 Continuation Board Results to Sailors

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:12:41 -0500

Results from the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 performance-based board for continuation of senior enlisted (SECB) were posted in Bupers Online (BOL) for individual Sailors access, according to NAVADMIN 054/12, released Feb. 14.

Navy Names Five New Ships

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:12:41 -0500

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced Feb. 15 the next five Navy ships; three Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, USS John Finn, USS Ralph Johnson, and USS Rafael Peralta, and two littoral combat ships (LCS), USS Sioux City and USS Omaha.

Vice Chief Talks Strategy and Leadership

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:12:41 -0500

The vice chief of naval operations delivered a Secretary of the Navy Guest Lecture (SGL) to students, faculty and staff of the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) Feb. 16 in King Auditorium.

Lincoln Begins Air Missions in Support of Operation Enduring Freedom

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:12:41 -0500

The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (ALCSG) launched its first combat sorties this deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Feb. 16.

Navy Names Forward Deployed Ships to Rota, Spain

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:12:41 -0500

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced Feb. 16 the four Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers which will be forward deployed to Rota, Spain.

MCPON Testifies before Congress on Quality of Life

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:12:41 -0500

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON)(SS/SW) Rick D. West testified before Congress Feb. 16. MCPON appeared before the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies.

Transition Benefits: Outplacement Firm Ready to Help Sailors Launch New Careers

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:12:41 -0500

Navy's contract for job search and assistance to help Sailors separating by the Enlisted Retention Board (ERB) is well underway, an official said Feb. 17.

Vice Chief Concludes Australia Trip

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:12:41 -0500

The vice chief of naval operations (VCNO) concluded a three-day engagement visit to Canberra and Darwin, Australia, Feb. 21.

Navy Recognized as one of the World's Best Training Organizations

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:12:41 -0500

The U.S. Navy was recognized as a top training organization and ranked 13 out of 125 for excellence in employer-sponsored workforce training and development by Training Magazine at its 2012 conference and expo at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta Feb. 13.

FY-12 Aviation Officer Bonus Rates Released

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:12:41 -0500

Adjustments to the active duty and full time support (FTS) Aviation Career Continuation Pay (ACCP) program were announced via Navy messages, Feb. 14.

Transition Benefits: NPC Officials to Discuss Post-ERB Matters in the Pacific Northwest

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:12:41 -0500

The Navy Personnel Command (NPC) fleet engagement team is scheduled to meet with Sailors, families and leadership in the Pacific Northwest Feb. 21-23 to discuss post-Enlisted Retention Board (ERB) matters and transition benefits, officials said Feb. 14.

Synthetic Chemical Compound Abuse -- Sailors Who Use, Will Lose

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:12:41 -0500

The Navy continued to emphasize the policy of zero tolerance for substance abuse by separating 1,515 Sailors in fiscal year 2011 for synthetic chemical compounds, commonly called Spice, and other drug usage according to an official Feb. 21.

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Recent_Entries

Revisiting the Storm
Why Minehunting Reminds Me of Naval Engineering
The Naval Engineering Forecast
Naval Engineering – Aspiration or Necessity?
Green for Green
70 Years - Lessons Learned
Next-Gen Engineers - A Shift Away from Engineering
Next-Gen Engineers
Focus on Energy: Are we making Progress?

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