Naval Postgraduate School
Calhoun, Institutional Archive of the Naval Postgraduate SchoolNot a member yet
71232 research outputs found
Sort by
MAPPING THE DEFENSE INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM
Get PDFBy utilizing open-source datasets and a multi-method approach to study the factors that economically anchor the innovative activities within a region, I aim to map the defense innovation ecosystem with a focus on observable clusters of activity. The purpose is to provide a 2023 snapshot of key elements of the U.S. defense innovation ecosystem. It is from this perspective that we can influence communities proximate to military bases with low innovation metrics and also leverage brokerage roles to siphon innovation activity from areas with known-high innovation metrics. Potential stakeholders who may find this analysis useful for their work include those seeking entry into the DOD innovation ecosystem and current key players, particularly DOD actors, as well as entrepreneurs, universities, corporations, and risk capital providers.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Captain, United States Air Forc
DJIBOUTI AND REAM: A REVIEW OF CHINA'S BASING INITIATIVES ABROAD
Get PDFIn 2017, China established its first overseas base in Djibouti. This major shift in Chinese security policy led some analysts to predict that China’s base in Djibouti would be the first of many overseas Chinese naval bases. In this context, the Ream Naval Base in Cambodia has generated concern that it will be the next location because a Chinese company finances the base’s modernization, and the two states share close political and economic relations. This thesis investigates whether the factors that led to the establishment of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) base in Djibouti are relevant in assessing the PLA’s basing initiative at Ream. This thesis concludes that the unique characteristics of China’s basing initiative in Djibouti are not replicable. However, the two cases share similar factors such as their low levels of development, authoritarian governments, and security disadvantages when compared to their neighbors. These factors may compel the Cambodian government, and possibly other countries, to accept a Chinese naval base in the future.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Lieutenant, United States Nav
Methods and Systems for Multi Agent Pathfinding
Get PDFMethods, and systems, for Multiagent Pathfinding for Non Dynamic Programming Problems, including a CE method which provides for sampling from a complex probability distribution that is not necessarily known in a closed form. The applications of this method include rare-event simulation, variance reduction for estimation problems, and stochastic optimization. The method iteratively searches for a probability distribution that is "close" to the intended distribution, where the closeness of distributions is measured using the Kullback-Liebler (KL) divergence between the distributions. At each step, the method generates samples according to a current candidate distribution from the family. Next, it uses those current candidate distribution samples to move the distribution toward a new candidate distribution that is closer in the sense of KL divergence to the target distribution
STOP CHECKING THE BOX: EFFECTIVE MEASUREMENT OF PREPAREDNESS CAPABILITIES
Get PDFFacing potential disasters from terror attacks to climate emergencies, emergency managers must ask themselves, What will the next emergency be, and are we ready? This thesis explores the extent to which emergency management programs utilize formal methodologies to assess their levels of preparedness and what might be preventing them from conducting such assessments. Using an online survey and targeted interviews, this study collected data from emergency management practitioners, developed hypotheses to explain why programs do or do not effectively assess their preparedness, and resulted in policy recommendations based on these hypotheses. The research indicates that the use of preparedness assessment methodologies aligns with principles in Fred Davis’s technology acceptance model. Where the methodologies were difficult to use or the results of the processes were not perceived as useful, emergency management programs often did not conduct formal assessments of preparedness. Conversely, when practitioners could use the tool with ease or execute the process in a way that produced results they felt were meaningful, they were more likely to engage in these processes. This thesis concludes that assessments differentiated by program type, innovation within assessment processes, additional assessment resources, and improved leadership buy-in will increase the number of programs assessing their preparedness and subsequently building preparedness capabilities to close identified gaps.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Civilian, DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agenc
LUNATIC FRINGE: THE STUDY OF IDEOLOGICAL CONVERGENCE AND MUSIC’S ROLE IN MOTIVATING EXTREMISM IN AMERICA
Get PDFMusic interconnects with an individual’s lived experiences, shaping their worldview and their place in society. Similarly, extremist ideologies historically aligned with specific ideological beliefs stemming from shared spaces or communities with direct physical exposure to available narratives. Because of global connectivity there has been a significant transformation in 21st century America, leaving generations of young Americans to their own devices to consume extremist propaganda without the usual social constraints or consequences. Through review of extremist manifestos and interviews this thesis explores how music provides a medium for the convergence of multiple ideological elements presented through familiar music paired with elements of extremist ideology using images, videos, lyrics, and other music (often referred to as a “mashup”) for the purpose of motivating singular acts of violence in support of an extremist agenda. research has found that fringe and mixed, unclear, and unstable (MUU) ideologies are merging to create a phenomenon of ideological mashups amongst the far-left and the far-right with a common goal: violence against the U.S. government. As these musical compositions blur the boundaries between artistic expression and extremism, it becomes imperative to further dissect their messaging and influence on vulnerable audiences to counter extremist violence in America.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Civilian, Oregon State Polic
SURGE Newsletter Summer 2024
No full textThis quarterly publication is intended to provide easy access to EAG activities, energy-related projects across the DOD, NATO, Academia, and industry, and provide a pathway for student energy thesis research. EAG is one of the cross-cutting Academic Groups at NPS. Our mission is to create a Center of Excellence for Defense Energy, and we do this across three pillars that will be highlighted in future newsletters: curriculum, research and outreach
NPS Doctoral Program Advances Technical Capacity, Research Capability For NIWC Pacific Employees
No full textThanking Joann Farley for Her Service to the House of Representatives
No full textJoann grew upon several Army bases and eventually landed in Marina, CA, where she started her federal career as an aide for the Supply Department of the Naval Postgraduate School.Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I rise to thank my constituent, Joann Farley, who is retiring on May 31, 2024 after over 21 years of outstanding service to the House of Representatives in financial administrative and support roles. Joann lives in Annapolis, MD, and I am proud to represent her here in Congress