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 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 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 1/3/2012 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 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.


By Keith Bretzius on 7/31/2011 6:21 AM

The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) sector is an area of emphasis in education. Over the past two years, since President Obama announced his "Educate to Innovate" campaign, every state has rushed to the charge to make STEM a priority.  More importantly, the government, in particular the Department of Defense, has also taken notice.


News Feeds

FY-13 Chief's Board Package Deadline Approaches

Sun, 20 May 2012 04:01:59 -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 04:01:59 -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 04:01:59 -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 04:01:59 -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 04:01:59 -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 04:01:59 -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 04:01:59 -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 04:01:59 -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 04:01:59 -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 04:01:59 -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 04:01:59 -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 04:01:59 -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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The Future of LCS
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Our Sputnik Moment?
Revisiting the Storm
Why Minehunting Reminds Me of Naval Engineering
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