Department of Law
Law Majors CDT Norton, CDT McCracken, and CDT Thom recently competed in the second annual Clara Barton International Humanitarian Law moot court competition sponsored by the American Red Cross, in Chicago, IL. The Clara Barton Competition is a simulation-based competition which puts participants in the roles of humanitarian law practitioners to address complex legal issues in realistic environments.
This competition included teams of students currently pursuing Juris Doctor (J.D.), Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), or Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees at law schools within the United States and Canada, as well as cadets attending United States and Canadian military academies or institutions. The West Point team distinguished themselves throughout all phases of the competition. Moreover, as ambassadors of the profession of military arms, the West Point team provided both insight and legitimacy to the prestigious competition. The personal and professional connections cadets made during the competition will serve them well after they depart the United States Military Academy in the coming months. Finally, the professional connections they made with the ICRC, visiting faculty and esteemed members of the IHL community will serve the United States Military Academy at West Point well during the long years of persistent asymmetric conflict ahead.
Department of Systems Engineering
SE301 (Fundamentals of Engineering Design and Systems Management) Course Visits The Boeing Company in Ridley Park, PA. On Wednesday, 25 March, seventy cadets from the Department of Systems Engineering introductory course toured the Boeing company near Philadelphia, PA. The cadets talked to Boeing vice presidents, systems engineers, industrial engineers, and line technicians. They were briefed on systems in development such as the Joint Multi-Role (JMR) Technology Demonstrator (TD). The JMR features counter-rotating coaxial main motors and an innovative push propeller. The events that inspired cadets are the V-22 Osprey and CH-47 Chinook factory tours. Cadets walked down the production lines, talked to factory workers, and observed the assembly of a system in action. Now, they have a better understanding of the importance of system engineers on the factory floor. Additionally, cadets participated in a panel discussion where they had the opportunity to ask systems engineers and Boeing Vice Presidents (VPs) questions. The topics of discussions included Boeing’s current business model, stakeholder & requirements analysis, and SE experts’ citing the importance of the problem definition phase. The panel discussed the use of systems thinking throughout the systems decision process, and emphasized that it is vital (and less costly) to capture possible “issues” early in the development of a system before a system (upgrade, enhancement, etc.) continues its development. Mr. Dennis Morris (Boeing) led the tour and great discussions with cadets throughout their visit.
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership
Tom Tierney, Class of 1951 Leadership Chair Partners with BTD for Cadet and Faculty Leadership Development. On 24 and 25 March, Tom Tierney made his sixth formal visit to West Point in his 2-year partnership with the Department BS&L and added value to diverse audiences including cadets, TACs and junior faculty, and department leadership and spouses. Over the two days, he held two sessions with 20 first-class cadets to discuss how successful leaders can live successful lives. With just under 60 days until graduation, it provided them a valuable opportunity to reflect upon their definition of personal and professional success over the next 2 weeks to 10 years. They enjoyed the shared feedback from their classmates as well as Mr. Tierney and his corporate, non-profit, and consulting experience. Mr. Tierney also held a small group seminar with seven CPTs, MAJs, and LTCs from the BS&L, Sosh, and English & Philosophy Departments and BTD, giving them an opportunity to be personally developed and take valuable time to reflect on their personal and professional success among peers. Lastly, Mr. Tierney partnered with the BTO and RTOs to host a session with 23 of the newly selected KSL Commanders and CSM/1SGs from the class of 2015 who will lead every summer detail and assume leadership roles within the Corps of Cadets in the fall of 2015. The group candidly discussed what successful leadership will look like this summer, and how they will engage their peers, subordinates, and the institution as upcoming senior leaders. It was a great opportunity to share the passion and complexity of leadership and be inspired by their classmates and long-term teammates.
Intro to Sociology students conducted research projects at the Palisades Mall. The intrigue of Sociology comes from a discipline that studies people and social dynamics in our natural, every-day habitat. Ten cadets enrolled in PL371, Introductory Sociology, took the research lab – society – at the Palisades Mall on Saturday, 28 March to collect data and observations for their individual research projects. The wide range of interests included surveying store workers on the influence of their appearance on hiring and firing in their type of store, trends of gender typing within levels of store management, homogeneous trends of restaurant customers, biases and perceptions by mall and store security guards, gender trends and subconscious power messages in store advertising, values of independence and time urgency displayed through agitation waiting in line or on an escalator, and how a person’s dress and perceived socio-economic status (level of income/welcome) impacts a store clerk’s interaction and recommended phone to purchase. The project is designed to introduce students to the Sociological research process and allow them to systematically study a social topic of personal interest by collecting first-hand data. The class consists of eight Sociology majors (’16 and ’17), and others from Chemistry/Life Science, Defense Strategic Studies, and Psychology.
Cadets from the Department of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership partnered with McCann WorldGroup (MWG) Marketing to refine their Marketing Skills. Cadets from the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership traveled to New York City, NY to partner with McCann WorldGroup (MWG) Marketing to refine their Marketing Skills. On 26 and 27 March 2015, 101 cadets from the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership traveled to New York City, NY to participate in a Marketing Exchange with the McCann WorldGroup (MWG). MWG is the agency partnered with Army Marketing and developed the “Army Strong” campaign. After discussing the current Army Marketing Campaign, MWG led the Cadets through their Marketing Strategy Planning Process (MSPP). After the MPSS, MWG divided the Cadets into marketing teams, partnered them with their account managers, and issued them a marketing business pitch challenge. On Thursday, Cadets were tasked to develop a marketing business pitch by showcasing a NYC “mode of transportation.” After developing pitches for Uber, CitiBike, and the subway the Cadets presented their pitches to 5 senior MWG executives. Similarly, Friday’s group developed pitches showcasing “a NYC attraction.” Briefs on Friday included areas such as Madison Square Garden, Times Square, Bryant Park, and the Rockefeller Center. The Cadets earned high praise from the executives for their creative solutions, thorough analysis, deliberate processes and enthusiasm. The visit was a great success as Cadets departed with a great sense of how their classroom theory was brought to life with practical application in NYC.
The MG382 (Human Resource Management) meets with members of the West Point Band for an enhancement lesson on leadership. Dr. Young took her MG382 (Human Resource Management) class down to the West Point Band building for an enhancement lesson on leadership. The practical exercise requires cadets to run a studio recording session working with members of the West Point Band. The object of the workshop is for cadets to use management, leadership, and communication skills to successfully complete a "mock" recording session within the allotted studio rental time and budget. However, there are many unforeseen challenges: Each of the musicians plays a particular role, which creates an unexpected dynamic for the cadets who are playing their roles as producers, sound engineers, and interns. The exercise is run by Grammy Award winning recording artist (and West Point Band sound engineer) SSG Brandi Lane. At the end of the session, SSG Lane and her team of musicians debrief the cadets regarding their studio management efforts, leadership behaviors, mistakes, missed opportunities, and managerial effectiveness. Cadets reported that they really enjoyed the opportunity to apply their course's concepts in a unique setting.
Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering
Cadet Project Collaboration with the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center. On 31 March, CDT Meyer Ungerman and MAJ Amber Walker visited the textiles facility at the Natick Soldier Center in Natick, MA. Meyer is currently enrolled in an ME389A, Independent Study, designing an Improvised Tendon-Assist Rigid Exoskeleton using thin nickel titanium alloy wires woven into a polyester garment. These thin wire, electrical actuators will attach at the ankle and assist the Soldier during loaded walking. The scientists at Natick are providing support and expertise related to garment production, including the time consuming process of hand weaving the design prototype.
Cadet Capstone Team Performs Testing at Harvard/Wyss Institute, 30-31 March 2015. The Warrior Web Boot Attachment Capstone team, consisting of CDTs Robert Mason, James Hill, Jameson Albers, and Kyle Okular were accompanied by their faculty mentor, Dr. Becky Zifchock on a trip to Cambridge, MA, to test the efficacy of their Mechanical Engineering Capstone Design. The team designed a system to interface between the soft exoskeleton Warrior Web suit designed by the Harvard/Wyss Team and the soldier’s boot. The Harvard/Wyss Team device was designed to meet the goals of the Warrior Web DARPA program: to create wearable technology that will prevent and reduce musculoskeletal injuries and provide movement assistance.
The USMA Capstone team worked to improve upon the existing design by integrating a quick engage/release mechanism, and improving the load transmission and distribution effects. Over the course of two days, the team collected data that will be analyzed to assess the effectiveness of their design. They also had the opportunity to wear the entire Warrior Web system with both their boot attachment design and the existing boot attachment design to understand the qualitative effects of the two designs.
Capstone Project Team receives Patent. Members of the Service Academy Design Challenge team from 2013 had their final patent filed recently at Picatinny Arsenal #2014-019. From the application – “A crossing device aids in crossing from a near side to a far side of an obstacle. It comprises a lead assembly that is projected to the far side of the obstacle and that includes an anchor assembly and a pulley. The anchor assembly has a base, a launch tube that is secured to the base, a spike that is housed within the launch tube, and a propellant charge. The anchor assembly is anchored on the far side of the obstacle by remotely initiating the propellant charge. The explosion force drives the spike through the launch tube and the base, into a landing surface. A bridge is connected to the pulley and is pulled to span across the obstacle. The bridge, lead assembly, and anchor may be collected on the far side for additional uses.” Inventors included 1LT’s Killian Burns, Sungi Cho, Steven Davidson, and Max Sauerwein, in addition to their project advisor, LTC Michael Benson.
Department of Physics and Nuclear Engineering
Future Events
American Nuclear Society Student Conference: During 8-12 April, LTC Ken Allen will travel to College Station, TX with 9 cadets to participate in the ANS Student Conference. They will be presenting their capstone projects and independent research projects at the conference in order to promote their development as scholars in the field of nuclear engineering and to further their research by interacting with other scholars and learning about the latest developments in the field. The April Conference is the only annual student meeting of its kind, held by the largest professional organization of nuclear engineering in the United States, maximizing the opportunity for interaction with a broad group of scholars. Periodic participation in such academic conferences is critical for faculty members to remain current and productive as scholars, which is in turn critical to USMA’s mission to educate cadets at the collegiate level. The student conference provides an excellent venue for out cadets to showcase their research, interact with peers from other Tier 1 institutions and provides real assessment to the NE Program on how our students compare to other NE majors across the country.
Persian Gold Tabletop Exercise: On 10 April, the NE450 Nuclear Weapons Effects class will participate in a simulated case study facilitated by experts in the field of weapons of mass destruction from the National Defense University visiting from Washington, DC. The three hour exercise creates an important opportunity for cadets to examine the strategic objectives of the U.S. and its partner’s vis-à-vis Iran and to explore how to counter or mitigate Iranian efforts with regard to its nuclear program and potential proliferation. The Tabletop exercise will take place in Jefferson Hall Library.
Rochester Symposium for Physics Students: During 10-11 April, LTC Chad Schools will travel to Oswego, NY with six cadets to present their research at the Rochester Symposium for Physics Students. This provides them the opportunity to engage with students and faculty from the local region and to practice their communication skills. They will be able to interact with their civilian peers and also civilian faculty. This is also an opportunity to show local institutions some of the research being conducted at USMA.
Defense Technical Seminar: During 12-17 April, LTC Robert Prins will travel to MIT Lincoln Labs in Boston, MA to attend the Defense Technology Seminar. Lincoln Laboratory has conducted the seminar for 17 years and it focuses on advanced electronic technology that can solve critical surface, air and space military challenges.
Director of Los Alamos National Lab visit to USMA: Dr. Charles McMillan, (SES), Director of Los Alamos National Lab will visit USMA 12-13 April. Dr. McMillan is visiting the military academies in order to promote the need to balance the humanities and technical education of our future leaders and to foster the collaboration between the military academies and LANL. During the visit Dr. McMillan will speak to a group of 150 cadets and faculty about technology and how it relates to and affects decision making. In late January 2015 Dr. and Mrs. McMillan visited the USAFA.
P&NE Academic Awards Banquet: On 14 April, the Department of Physics and Nuclear Engineering will host their Annual Awards Banquet at the West Point Club to induct cadets into the Society of Physics Students and American Nuclear Society as well as present certificates for excellence in physics and nuclear engineering course work throughout AY15. The guest speaker for the event is Dr. Larry Foulke (previous American Nuclear Society President).
Interdisciplinary Project Briefings: On 20, 27 April and 4 May, MAJ Shawn Fitzgerald will travel to New York City with cadets to Grand Central Tech (venture capital/startup accelerator) to present PH2 cannot be replicated here at West Point and would greatly enhance realism and overall learning with regard to this project. It is important that cadets interface with small business leaders. This has many positive civil-military implication as well a contributing to the Superintendent’s priority of increasing our partnership capacity with leaders in NYC.
Habitat for Humanity – Walk for Housing: On 26 April, the House of PaNE will support the Walk for Housing Event in Newburgh, NY. This event will raise funds for building projects in the Newburgh area to benefit needy families. The following link allows you to join Team PANE (the password is "teampane") or support walkers on Team PANE: https://habitat.myetap.org/fundraiser/2015WalkforHousing/team.do?participationRef=1190.0.65454124. Every small donation will help reach our team fundraising goal which is set at $1000.
Department of English and Philosophy
Bard Seminar at USMA. On the evening of Tuesday, 10 March, Cadets and faculty in the Bard Seminar (EP395 Special Topics in Philosophy) hosted their counterparts from Bard College for the second of two Joint Sessions at West Point. The title of this semester’s project is “Intolerance – Political Animals and Their Prey.” The gathering began with an informal pizza dinner in the Haig Room lobby followed by presentations in the auditorium on the theme of religious intolerance. Dr. Nelly Lahoud of the Center for Combating Terrorism spoke on the tradition of tolerance and intolerance within the Islamic tradition and on the distinction between governmental toleration of religion and the justification of intolerance practiced by individual religions. Prof. Bruce Chilton, Bell Professor of Religion at Bard, described the range of interpretations of human sacrifice in the Judeo-Christian tradition, starting with the story of Abraham and Isaac, which later evolved into justifications of ethnic intolerance. The Bard Seminar is a joint effort of the Departments of English and Philosophy, History, Law, and Social Sciences and faculty at Bard College.
SFC John Castleman of the West Point Band gives a lecture to the Jazz Forum. On 30 March, SFC John Castleman of the West Point Band gave a lecture to 14 Cadets and faculty of the Cadet Fine Arts Forum’s (CFAF) Jazz Forum. The discussion focused on early jazz and the origins of the genre. SFC Castleman’s discussion featured performances from himself and SFC Mark Tonelli.
Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering
EV388a Field Trip Across the Great Valley. On 1 April, LTC Kimball led her Geology class on a trip to study the geologic history of the greater Hudson Valley. The snow was a bit unusual for the trip, but the cadets were still able to hike all the trails and access all of the rock formations to study course concepts in a field environment. Cadets synthesized topics by learning 600 million years of geologic history, including the formation of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks in the region, glacial process, and how structural geology is different from topography. During the trip, cadets also discussed the significant role that geology played in recent human history, including the “Black Soils” region settled by the Polish; gravel quarries that made it profitable to develop rail lines and canals; limestone mines that were a large source of cement before the creation of Portland Cement; and the flat-lying sedimentary rocks (cut by the Wallkill River) that influenced the New Paltz settlements of the Huguenots in the late 1600s. LTC Kimball took advantage of the date (April 1) to fool the cadets. Several cadets packed swim suits in anticipation of the opportunity to see “submarine geology” at Lake Minnewaska. The jig was up when LTC Kimball (swim goggles in hand) passed out the towels for drying off after the “polar bear plunge.” Lake Minnewaska (in the background of this photo) is still frozen over with ice and snow, and while the sun was shining the outdoor temperature was still in the 40s. Instead of seeing submarine geology, the cadets found evidence of glacial activity in the quartz-pebble conglomerate that caps the Shawangunk Mountains.
Department of Mathematical Sciences
The Minerva Policy Modeling Contest Workshop was held on 3 April 2015 at West Point. Cadets and Midshipmen had the opportunity to participate in the first-ever social science modeling problem solving contest. The problem was created by an interdisciplinary team, led by the Department of Social Sciences with input from faculty members in the Departments of Math, Behavioral Sciences, and Geography. The problem described the current VA healthcare system and presented numerous challenges, such as issues of access, budgets, stakeholders, and what efficient and effective care means to each of these groups. Cadets had the opportunity to develop a new system or modify the current system managing the millions of eligible veterans so they can benefit from a health care system with dozens of logistical, political and economic constraints. Teams of three cadets or midshipmen received the problem in February 2015, had 96 hours to research the topic, develop a plan, and write a report to include policy recommendations to Congress and the Veterans Administration. The workshop was a follow-up to the problem-solving contest and provided an opportunity for cadets to present their solutions and experiences, and to discuss strategies and methods for policy modeling. Cadet teams consisted of cadets from all four classes (plebes, yearlings, cows and firsties), and were from a wide range of majors including social sciences, computer science, philosophy, and math. In addition, experts in military health care and modeling discussed their own experiences in policy modeling. The guest speaker for the event was Dr. Tommy Sowers, the Visiting Assistant Professor of the Practice and Assistant Director of The Hart Leadership Program, Duke University, and former Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The workshop was set in the perspective of the Minerva Initiative, which supports and advocates for social science research in support of military issues. Funding and support was provided by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to the USMA Cadet Minerva Club.