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The Impact of Respect and Empathy on Harmful Behaviors in Command Climate
Get PDFNPS NRP Executive SummaryThe purpose of this project is to increase the Navy’s understanding of what officers and enlisted Sailors deemed to be emphatic and respectful leader behaviors. This project stems from Navy senior leadership acknowledging the nexus of three issues: 1) that leader behavior is a significant driver of command climate perceptions; 2) that follower command climate perceptions are largely shaped by how followers are treated by unit leaders; and 3) that there is often a strong association between unit command climate perceptions and a range of harmful Sailor behaviors that in turn have deleterious effects on the Navy.
In the case of the current project, we approached leader empathy and respect as essential to a positive command climate. If leaders are empathetic and respectful, then leader-follower attachment bonds are strengthened. These leader behaviors then set the conditions for Sailor pro-social and pro-unit behaviors. Conversely, a lack of empathy and respect breeds Sailor discord while also increasing the probability of harmful behaviors that are detrimental to command climate and readiness. Both contentions are supported by empirical academic research, yet extant research also suggests that the specific behaviors constituting leader empathy and respect are determined “through the eyes of the beholder.” This is especially true within military organizations like the Navy, which are nested hierarchies of ranks, rates, platforms, and professional communities. As hypothesized and later confirmed in this study, how Sailors define, categorize, and classify leader empathetic and respectful behavior varies based upon career path (officer vs. enlisted) and career stage (early-, mid-, and late-career).
We applied a mixed methods research approach. Our team interviewed 39 Navy officers, Chiefs, and enlisted Sailors and applied artificial intelligence platforms and qualitative data analysis software to create three deliverables for Office of the Chief of Naval Operations Navy Culture & Force Resilience Office (OPNAV N17):
1) a tool to measure leader empathy and respect within the Navy;
2) a behavioral checklist focused on leader empathy and respect to be integrated into Naval leader education and training efforts; and
3) two technical report-quality student theses that document and analyze the attitudes, opinions, and cognitive models of what constitutes leader empathy and respect across a range of Naval demographics.Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.This research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)N1 - Manpower, Personnel, Training & Educatio
MULTI-AGENT FLIGHT PLANNING IN A THREE-DIMENSIONAL THREAT ENVIRONMENT USING CROSS-ENTROPY SEARCH
Get PDFThe multi-agent cross-entropy (CE) search method effectively optimizes flight routes in dynamic, contested three-dimensional (3D) environments where multiple aircraft must cooperate. Traditional military flight planning relies on pilots using complex and cumbersome software that lacks a comprehensive view of the operating environment. Surface-to-air threat weapon engagement zones (WEZs) are critical considerations in route planning, as excessive exposure can lead to mission failure, aircraft loss, or personnel endangerment. This thesis introduces a multi-agent CE-based path-finding approach that efficiently generates coordinated flight routes while optimizing factors such as route length and altitude and its deviations. For single-aircraft scenarios, where the path-finding problem satisfies the optimal substructure property (OSP), fast and optimal dynamic programming (DP) algorithms such as A* can be applied. However, multi-agent coordination violates OSP, making DP methods unsuitable. This research demonstrates that the CE search method can effectively navigate this complex problem space, producing near-optimal flight routes that balance the collective needs and objectives of multiple aircraft. Additionally, a novel evaluation framework is presented to assess the quality of CE-generated routes relative to the unattainable optimal solution.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Major, United States Marine Corp
ASSIGNMENT MATTERS: ANALYZING ORGANIZATIONAL DRIVERS OF FIRST TERM ATTRITION IN THE U.S. NAVY
Get PDFA 2020 RAND study reported 36-month attrition across all services at 20%. This means that one in five Sailors attrite prior to completing their initial contract. Most literature has focused on the effect of socio-demographic factors on attrition. This thesis seeks to fill a critical gap in the literature by uncovering the effect of organizational factors on First Term Attrition. This study used descriptive statistics to identify trends in First Term Attrition, survival analysis to understand the timing of attrition subgroups within the sample, and logistic regression analysis to identify relationships between organizational factors and First Term Attrition. This thesis finds that organizational factors and mental health seeking behavior had a more significant effect on First Term Attrition than socio-demographic factors. Sailors assigned to Training Units, Surface Units, and the Professional Apprenticeship Career Track (PACT) were more likely to attrite than their counterparts. Sailors with some mental health seeking behavior were less likely to attrite than those with no mental health seeking behavior or frequent mental health seeking behavior. This thesis identifies critical communities where First Term Attrition is more likely to occur; however, further analysis is required to understand the paths these Sailors are taking to separate prior to contract end. This information is critical to building strategic and targeted interventions to reduce First Term Attrition.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Outstanding ThesisLieutenant, United States Nav
CLASSIFYING THE NAVY’S APPLICANTS: MEASURING ITS EFFECTIVENESS
Get PDFThis study examines the efficiency and effectiveness of Service Liaison applicant processing at different Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS’) across various branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, with a specific focus on the Navy. The research involved collecting qualitative and quantitative data at 14 MEPS’ through a survey of personnel and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders. Thematic analysis revealed significant disparities in office staffing and technological systems across the branches. The Navy’s reliance on the Personalized Recruiting for Immediate Delayed Enlistment (PRIDE) system was identified as a major bottleneck in the classification and job-matching process. Additionally, this study evaluates the Navy’s recruiting process and associated MEPS manning costs, providing a comparative analysis of personnel utilization and cost-effectiveness across branches. Findings suggest that despite higher staffing levels, the Navy’s applicant processing times remain inefficient relative to the Army and Air Force, where more streamlined systems are employed. The research concludes by recommending process improvements and technological upgrades to enhance the Navy’s recruitment throughput and overall efficiency.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Lieutenant Commander, United States Nav
COMPARISON OF DEFENSE ACQUISITION EFFICIENCY IN THE UNITED STATES AND CHINA
Get PDFSince the 1950s, China has pursued economic and military dominance, leveraging alliances, intellectual property theft, and rapid technological advancements to strengthen its defense capabilities. Meanwhile, the United States has faced defense industrial base consolidation, bureaucratic stagnation, and prolonged conflicts in the Middle East, challenging its ability to maintain a technological edge. If current trends persist, China could surpass the United States in defense acquisitions. This thesis evaluates whether China is more efficient than the United States in defense acquisition and identifies areas where U.S. acquisition efficiency can improve, regardless of comparison. Using a framework developed in a Naval Postgraduate School thesis, this thesis assigns efficiency scores to both countries across ten acquisition categories. A hypothetical weighting scenario examines how acquisition efficiency might shift in the event of an imminent U.S.-China conflict. Findings indicate that the United States remains more efficient overall, but China outperforms in cost efficiency. Areas in which the United States can improve include cost, acquisition workforce, resource allocation, and the defense industrial base. By addressing these inefficiencies, the United States can strengthen its defense acquisition system and sustain its technological advantage in an evolving strategic landscape.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Captain, United States Marine Corp
THE COMPLEX COLOMBIAN WAR: UNDERSTANDING DIFFERENCES INSIDE COLOMBIAN CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS
Get PDFColombian criminal organizations vary in structure, governance, and economic strategies, influencing their resilience to state repression. Traditional counter-criminal strategies assume these groups are hierarchical, relying on leadership decapitation. However, this approach fails to address the adaptability of decentralized organizations. This thesis examines the structural and governance differences among the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia), Ejército de Liberación Nacional (National Liberation Army), and the Gulf Clan, highlighting how these variations affect their survival and persistence. Some groups enforce rigid internal governance, while others allow autonomy, shaping their interactions with communities and the state. Their involvement in illicit economies, including drug trafficking, extortion, and illegal mining, further strengthens their resilience. The findings indicate that Colombia’s blanket approach to organized crime is ineffective, as organizations embedded in communities with strong governance frameworks are more resistant to state intervention. A tailored strategy addressing structural diversity, criminal governance, and financial networks is essential to weakening these groups and reducing violence.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Mayor, National Army of Colombi
2030 BATTERY WORKFORCE SUPPLY PROJECTION
Get PDFStoring energy for future use is critical in various national security applications. Lithium-ion batteries are the most effective and proven technology to achieve this goal. However, the U.S. currently lacks an adequate industrial and labor base to meet the projected domestic demand for this battery technology. This study aims to assess the projected U.S. battery workforce supply by 2030, focusing on key occupations within battery production. Utilizing census data, descriptive statistics, and a log-linear regression model, the analysis predicts the labor supply for the battery workforce across the U.S. Overall, it is likely that the U.S. will have a sufficient base of potential workers who could be trained to enter the battery workforce. However, these workers may not be inclined to undergo the extensive training required to switch industries. Additionally, state-level projections indicate a misalignment between labor supply and the locations of key battery manufacturing hubs. This could result in labor shortages in certain regions. Investing in employee training and education is crucial to enhance participation in core battery workforce occupations. Furthermore, the battery manufacturing sector represents only a small fraction of employers in occupations essential to their business. Therefore, additional research is needed to identify the most effective strategies for attracting and retaining high-quality workers in the battery manufacturing sector.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Lieutenant, United States Nav
COMPUTATIONAL ANALYSIS OF A BLUNT BODY RE-ENTRY VEHICLE AND UNSTART CONDITIONS IN A HYPERSONIC WIND TUNNEL
Get PDFIncludes Supplementary MaterialThe study of hypersonics has become a focal point not only for the Department of Defense but also multiple civilian agencies. This study was meant to focus on the high- speed fluid dynamics related to this regime of flight using the facilities at the Naval Postgraduate School. The current Gas Dynamics Laboratory (GDL) high-speed wind tunnel was capable of generating long runtime high Mach number flows. With only slight modifications to the current facilities, it was determined by previous research that a wind tunnel capable of sustained Mach 5.0+ flows for greater than 20 minutes was attainable. With this new test facility in mind, a computational fluid dynamics analyses was conducted on the feasibility of testing a portion of a blunt body hypersonic vehicle intended for re-entry purposes. This project was able to provide significant data for NASA’s sample delivery project and determined the viability of tests at the GDL given the supplied vehicle geometries. An additional analysis was conducted using the tunnel’s test chamber geometry as a means of studying hypersonic inlet unstart conditions. The proposed Mach 5.0+ tunnel test section was identified as being analogous to the inlets of numerous hypersonic air breathing vehicles. By increasing the pressure at the outlet of the system, repeatable unstarts were achieved. This analysis provided an excellent basis for analytical testing moving forward and real-world experimentation on hypersonic unstarts.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Major, United States Marine Corp
DEVELOPMENT OF A BOUNDARY CONDITION DRIVEN MODEL FOR ANALYZING STALL MARGIN ENHANCEMENT THROUGH PASSIVE FLOW CONTROL IN TURBOMACHINERY
No full textJet engines, particularly those in military aircraft, are vulnerable to stall, which can severely damage the engine and potentially lead to catastrophic failure. One method to mitigate stall and enhance engine performance is to extend the operational limits by employing a flow recirculation passage over the compressor rotor. This passage helps re-energize low-momentum flow regions, thereby increasing the compressor's stability range. This study develops a computational design tool to facilitate the rapid optimization of a proposed passive flow control mechanism for the Naval Postgraduate School Military Fan (NPSMF). Parametric studies were conducted on key flow recirculation passage parameters, including re-injection angles and area ratios, to determine optimal design values. The results largely align with computational analysis of the full passage and experimental test data. Future research should explore additional design parameters under various flow conditions and incorporate a loss parameter to further refine flow control optimization. Additionally, a detailed design analysis and an upgrade of a compressor drive turbine was conducted to enable operation at its maximum design speed. The upgraded drive turbine configuration achieved up to a 20% power increase.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Captain, Israeli Air Forc
A RAPID PROTOTYPING FRAMEWORK FOR VISION-BASED LOCALIZATION ALGORITHMS
No full textUnmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned surface vessels (USVs) traditionally rely on the Global Positioning System (GPS). As adversarial electronic warfare capabilities grow, GPS signals face ever-increasing risks of jamming and spoofing, especially in contested environments. Therefore, as these adversarial risks increase, alternatives to GPS have become necessary. Vision-based navigation and localization algorithms, which estimate positional data using an onboard camera sensor, offer a promising solution. To accelerate the development of such an approach, a simulation tool is necessary for rapidly prototyping and evaluating these algorithms before implementation in a realistic environment. This research introduced an open-source simulation framework developed using the Robot Operating System (ROS) and Gazebo. Within the simulation, a UAV equipped with an onboard camera and a YOLO11 convolutional neural network (CNN) detected and tracked both a friendly and an enemy vessel. A particle filter then estimated relative positional data, enabling decision-making without GPS. The framework supported plug-and-play integration and modification of estimators, object detection models, and sensor parameters, allowing for future development and expansion. This work demonstrated the feasibility and various challenges of vision-based localization, laying a foundation for real-world testing of autonomous systems operating in GPS-denied environments.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Ensign, United States Nav