Eng edge newsletter mar 2014

Page 1

THE ENGINEERING EDGE

EDGEWOOD CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL CENTER

Volume 6, Issue 3

March 2014

WOMEN IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

ATD Engineers Evaluate Warfighter Feedback to Improve RASR Detection System Technology pg.3

Sustainment Engineering Division: People, Capabilities, Customers, and Service to the Warfighter pg.6

To access the electronic version of this newsletter, visit: http://www.ecbc.army.mil/news/ENG/ APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

. .


2 | EDGEWOOD CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL CENTER

INSIDE THIS MONTH’S ISSUE: pg.3|ATD Engineers Evaluate Warfighter Feedback to Improve RASR Detection System Technology pg.4-5|Women in Science and Engineering pg.5|Employee Spotlight: COL Debra Daniels pg.6-7|Sustainment Engineering Division: People, Capabilities, Customers, and Service to the Warfighter pg.8|ECBC Chemical Lab Pack pg.8|First Division and Branch Chief Offsite of 2014 Takes an InDepth Look at ECBC Engineering

Congratulations and Best Wishes! ECBC Engineering Recognizes Recent Retirees for their Expertise and Government Service NAME

DIVISION/BRANCH

YEARS OF SERVICE

Charles Curry

Engineering Test Division, Applied Detection Technology Branch

24 years 4 months

Gyleen Fitzgerald

Strategic Planning & Business Management Division 33 years

Lucille Forrest

Engineering Directorate

33 years

Patsy Garcia

Engineering Directorate

30 years 3 months

James Genovese

Engineering Support Division, IDEA Branch

32 years

Dale Gustafson

Engineering Commodities Division, Collective Protection Branch

31 years 5 months

Suzanne Kracke

Matrixed to the JPM

11 years 2 months

Deborah Lindsay

Test Engineering Division, Applied Detection Technology (ADT) Branch

6 years

Gilbert Olsen

Matrixed to JPM-NBC Contamination Avoidance

28 years, 9 months

Demetrios Prapas

Decontamination Engineering Branch

31 years 10 months

Patricia Reeves

Engineering Directorate

32 years 6 months

Alvin "AJay" Thornton

Engineering Directorate

31 years 4 months

Nicholas Yura

Protection Engineering Division

34 years 8 months

SharePoint Tip: What is a SharePoint List? SharePoint lists are collections of similar items on your site. You can choose from an announcement, a calendar, a list of contacts, a discussion board, an issue tracking list, a list of links, a list of project tasks (with a Gantt-like chart), a survey, a task list or an imported Excel spreadsheet. You can also create a custom list in both list format and editable datasheet format.

Ask a Tech Tip: Small Engine Fuel Mike Kauzlarich, of the Pyrotechnics and Explosives Branch, reveals how the techniques and lessons learned in labs can help you solve your household problems. Submit a question to him at usarmy.APG.ecbc.mbx.engineering-directorate@mail.mil.

This newsletter was published through the Balanced Scorecard. For article suggestions, questions or comments please contact Ed Bowen at edward.c.bowen8.civ@mail.mil.

It is almost time to put away that snow blower in exchange for the lawnmower. Like most of us, you have probably experienced instances of weed whackers, chainsaws, lawnmowers and other gasoline-powered tools that refuse to start after a couple months of storage. Even if you tried emptying the fuel tank or putting in fuel stabilizers before you stored the equipment, it doesn’t run the same and it’s off to the repair shop for an expensive solution. The issue is that automotive fuel was not made for long-term storage; it breaks down and creates varnish which gums up the fuel system. Fuel stabilizers do not work that well, emptying the tank causes seals to dry out, and the few drops of fuel you do leave behind gum the carburetor and your equipment won’t start. The solution: fuels for small engines made from alkylate. One such product is VP Racing’s SEF-94, which stands for “small engine fuel-94 octane.” There are other brands as well, and they are sold in hardware stores in quart- and gallon-sized cans. Yes, it is more expensive than automotive fuel. However, if you factor in the costs of repeated repairs and replacements, engine fuel might just be the second-best bargain out there. APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE


THE ENGINEERING EDGE |March 2014| 3

ATD Engineers Evaluate Warfighter Feedback to Improve RASR Detection System Technology

E

ngineers from the Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD) Branch are helping train Warfighters to use state-of-the-art robotics and sensors to detect dangerous chemical agents in the field. The branch serves as the Technical Manager (TM) of the program, called the Rapid Area Sensitive-Site Reconnaissance (RASR) ATD, and is currently responsible for managing and executing the Extended User Evaluation (EUE) phase. That includes listening to and evaluating feedback straight from the users – Army Soldiers and Marines. “Scientists and engineers may understand the technology behind the system, but the Warfighters just want to know that it works effectively and is easy to use,” said Doretha Green, Technical Manager of the RASR ATD. “Their direct and honest feedback on the system is invaluable and taken into strong consideration in development of the final product.” The ATD Branch has been involved in the RASR program since 2008. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) brought the Branch on board during the pre-planning phase based on its previous work on the CBRN Unmanned Ground Reconnaissance (CUGR) Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD). “Our work on that project was the catalyst for our involvement, since it included similar technology and integration of detection sensors,” explained Green. As the TM, the Branch manages the day-to-day priorities of the technical effort, including coordinating training events with the Army and Marine Corps units and the equipment contractor, collecting user feedback over the one-year EUE period, and communicating progress to stakeholders. This includes DTRA Joint Science and Technology Office (the primary customer funding the program); U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific (3rd Marine Regiment) and U.S. Army 20th Support Command (21st Chemical Company) (the users); U.S. Pacific Command (the top-level sponsor); and the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and Biological Defense (the Transition Manager). “The ATD Branch helps bring all of the stakeholders together and makes sure everyone is on the same page with the program’s development,” explained Matt Brown, RASR EUE lead. The technologies used on the RASR system provide Warfighters a standoff remote sensing capability for chemical and radiological threats during sensitive-site assessment missions. The integrated system also provides Warfighters valuable site information to allow them to potentially reduce the amount of protective equipment required for follow-on missions. The Avalon sensor developed for this effort uses a powerful near infrared laser to scan for and identify potentially hazardous materials using Raman spectroscopy. The Avalon can be used manned (held by a Warfighter) or unmanned (connected to a robot) for a more remote capability. Soldiers and Marines are trained to use each method and data and feedback is collected on both. In addition to the Avalon, the integrated RASR system includes a MultiRAE Plus (multi-gas monitor), a Radiac Set AN/UDR-14 (gamma/neutron dose radiation sensor), and a capability to automatically map sites of interest. A total of approximately 30 Marines and Soldiers have been trained on the RASR system as part of the EUE. Training sessions are led by FLIR Systems, the manufacturer of the Avalon detector, with support from ATD engineers. The first part of the training is a technical overview of the system, but most of the training is handson using the detector by itself and integrated with the robot so that Warfighters can practice taking and reading samples. “After the initial training, we leave the technology with the users and they train with it on their own during the one-year EUE period,” said Brown. “That way, they will get more practice with the system and provide us feedback at various points throughout the year.”

The users fill out questionnaires about the system and provide Brown with an after-action report that he then reviews with them on a monthly basis via teleconference. “It is important to hear all user feedback, both good and bad, that will help improve the system down the line,” said Brown. “We also want to know about their tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) and how they are employing the system during their field training. We report all feedback to the customer and Transition Manager.” Although the RASR system already received a favorable joint military unit assessment in April 2012, the EUE period allows the Operational Managers and users an opportunity to operate the system during training exercises and provide additional feedback for possible improvements to the system design and operational TTPs. The EUE period for the Marines is expected to end in May 2014 and the EUE period for the Army will end in July 2014. All feedback and data collected during the EUE period will be compiled into a final report that is provided to the RASR Program Manager, DTRA-JSTO, and the RASR Transition Managers within JPEO-CBD as input for the possibility of transitioning the system into their future programs of record. The benefits of the program are valuable for both the Warfighters and the ATD staff. “It is important to meet the Warfighters, teach them how to properly use the equipment, get their feedback, and make improvements to the system so that hopefully it can be fielded for their protection,” said Brown. “For us, it is informative to understand how the units operate and to get their take on how they would employ the technology and capabilities into their normal operations. We are able to capture their direct feedback and continue to improve the system and overall capability. The lessons learned from RASR can then be applied to future projects.”

Credit: ATD Branch Soldiers and Marines are trained to use the detector in both hand-held mode and when integrated with the robot.

Credit: ATD Branch The integrated system provides a remote detection capability.

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE


4 | EDGEWOOD CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL CENTER

WOMEN IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

F

or three consecutive years, ECBC has received the Federal Women’s Program (FWP) award for providing women with leadership opportunities and for implementing programs that give women guidance on career development and long-term training to prepare for supervisory roles on high-profile projects. “Women are needed to develop the next generation of solutions for the Warfighter to combat weapons of mass destruction,” said Suzanne Milchling, Director of Program Integration at ECBC. “These solutions will vary in terms of complexity but they all must enable decision makers to make the right decision in a timely manner. Some of those decision makers will be women, so it’s only right that women are engaged in workforce development opportunities in their career fields.” Women play valuable roles in the Engineering Directorate, serving as scientists, engineers, advisors and leaders. Here, three women share their experience and offer advice for young women starting their careers in science and engineering.

Doretha E. Green, Industrial Engineer Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD) Branch, Detection Decontamination Engineering Division What is your role in the Engineering Directorate? I am currently the RASR ATD Technical Manager and provide support the Joint USFK (United States Forces Korea) Portal and Integrated Threat Recognition (JUPITR) ATD as the Demonstration Integrated Product Team Chairman. What attracted you to working here? After graduation, I had job offers from the Internal Revenue Service and the Army, and I chose the Army. My focus in college was plant layout, material handling and manufacturing. I thought I would have more opportunities to use what I learned in college with the Army. In what ways do you promote innovation in your job? By participating in ATDs. Some of the goals of ATDs are to help mature more advanced technologies and conduct demonstrations to access the feasibility and potential of technologies to support current and future Warfighter needs. As a female in a male-dominated field, what do you think are some unique perspectives that women offer? Attention to detail and a deliberate effort to bring in different viewpoints to solve problems. Do you think there are any distinct challenges for women in this field? It can be difficult to maintain personal and professional balance. What are your thoughts on bridging the gender gap in the science/engineering field? Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) outreach should begin in elementary school with opportunities for girls to be involved in extracurricular programs that expose them to the career possibilities that science and engineering can provide. These programs should put emphasis on real life application of science and engineering degrees. What is some advice you would give to young women starting out in the science/engineering field? Find good mentors, take advantage of training and educational opportunities, and network with other women engineers.

Mashala “Shay” Macias, General Engineer Industrial Base Team, ECBC-Rock Island Sustainment What is your role in the Engineering Directorate? My current role on the Industrial Base Team includes applying engineering and analytical skills to various industrial base projects. Primarily, I assess the manufacturing base for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) items and systems identifying when there are critical aspects of the supplier’s production capability or financial health that may affect the Department of Defense’s (DoD) requirements. In what ways do you promote innovation in your job? I use an engineering methodology whenever possible. I’ll research applicable government methods first, but when there isn’t one available, I’ll search for credible engineering processes. I prefer using a proven method with concrete data that will substantiate the project. What are your thoughts on bridging the gender gap in the science/ engineering field? I believe the educational system should implement a basic approach in the classroom for the fundamental science and math courses, while requesting that teachers break down the information into layman’s terms with ample examples, along with providing nonjudgmental tutoring programs. These may help bridge the gender gap. It would also help to provide awareness that there are options of obtaining a degree in engineering. Options may include school selection, such as applying to a school that offers a smaller student-teacher classroom ratio, and exploring the several different engineering disciplines available. Students need to know that there are various ways to further develop an engineering aptitude in order to successfully obtain an engineering degree. What is some advice you would give to young women starting out in the science/engineering field? I would tell young women to not be intimidated by science/engineering coursework and to seek as much help as possible along the way from professors, teachers, teaching assistants, and other students during the course of their education, as they’re not only receiving help but also gaining their insights, approaches and personal experiences. I also recommend seeking an internship as it will be invaluable experience; but if you are nearing the end of your degree, make sure it is in the specific area you would want to work.

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE


THE ENGINEERING EDGE |March 2014| 5

Employee Spotlight:

COL Debra Daniels

This month’s Engineering Edge Employee Spotlight is on COL Debra Daniels, ECBC Military Deputy, Army Soldier, and artist. Who or what inspired you to have a career in the military? My father was in the Army, so I was raised with that sense of pride and service. I received a scholarship through an Army ROTC program and intended to serve for a few years – but here I am in my 26th year, still with the same sense of pride and service that I had at the beginning of my career. Jillian Santarlas, Chemical Engineer and Branch Chief, Safehaven Branch, Engineering Support Division What inspired you to have a career in engineering? Originally, I was a pre-med major at Bucknell University, but after freshman year, I decided to switch into the chemical engineering field, and finish the program in three years. Chemical engineering provided me the opportunity to study both science and math fields, and also work in a team environment to develop engineering skills. It was the perfect balance. What attracted you to government service? After the events of September 11, I felt a desire to support my country. From the first day of government service, I feel like I have made meaningful contributions to our county and have felt blessed to be given the opportunity. Do you think there are any distinct challenges for women in this field? The projects that I have supported throughout my career have taken place in all types of working environments, as well as can be physically taxing. From the field work standpoint, it may have been questioned if I would have been a suitable fit! Thankfully, I was always treated as an equal and I am more than happy to complete all field work tasks. What are your thoughts on bridging the gender gap in the science/engineering field? From when I joined my engineering class in college, I was already seeing a trend of more women entering the field. My class was approximately 40 percent women. I feel that as more women show interest in these types of fields and complete science and engineering degrees, more positions will be filled with quality female engineers.

What is your role as Military Deputy to the ECBC Director? As the Military Deputy, one of my main duties is to articulate how the Center supports the Warfighter to sustain, survive and win in the CBRNE world. It is important to translate the Soldiers’ needs and communicate those to the engineers and scientists as they develop the products and solutions that prepare Soldiers for CBRNE missions. How do you stay connected to the Warfighters? By communicating to the Army what ECBC does for the Soldier – and that the Center does is more than just protective masks! It includes filters, decon kits and other equipment that the Soldier might not need to reach for every day in the field, but by explaining the breadth and depth of expertise of the scientists and engineers who work here to ensure the Soldiers understand that when they do need to reach for protective equipment, they can do so with confidence that they are protected. What attracted you to this position? On my last deployment to Afghanistan, I was looking for a position in the Washington, D.C. area when I returned. This position was on the list of possible assignment. While reviewing the assignment list, since I had never heard of ECBC, I discussed this position with peers and even subordinates and received words of caution and concern based on ECBC’s mission. I took this as an opportunity to work in a new area and also as a good sign that there must be very effective personnel with the safety protocols in place based on the mission; and of course, I found this to be true since my arrival. The strong emphasis on safety has helped the Center maintain the nation’s trust as it handles such hazardous and deadly materiel. Do you have any advice for young women who are early in their careers? Don’t listen to the naysayers – follow your passion and be sure to research and understand what it takes to succeed in that career field. Seek out a mentor whose career you admire and ask them how they became successful. CONTINUES TO PAGE 7

What is some advice you would give to young women starting out in the science/engineering field? Find the area of science or engineering that truly interests you. It can develop into job opportunities that will reward you for your entire career. Never feel as if there is a goal that cannot be reached – always keep striving!

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE


6 | EDGEWOOD CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL CENTER

Sustainment Engineering Division

People, Capabilities, Customers, and Service to the Warfighter

E

CBC Engineering Directorate’s Sustainment Engineering Division (SED) plays a key role in the acquisition of sustainment spares and Class II end items. These activities help keep our Warfighters’ legacy equipment functioning and the stock replenished with key expendable items, such as the M295 decontamination kit. In addition, the SED plays an equally important role in addressing field questions and issues on the ECBC technically-managed chemical-biological equipment. These activities are done with strong collaboration with many of the other ECBC Engineering Divisions that provide expertise required to execute this mission. The Division also provides technical support to the Project Manager for Sets, Kits, Outfits and Tools (PM-SKOT) on a wide range of PM-SKOTmanaged items, from initial design and prototyping through sustainment. What makes the Sustainment Engineering Division unique? Who are its customers? What are its employees’ expert capabilities? What is the impact of its work for the Warfighter? Division employees John Kerch, Division Chief of the Sustainment Engineering Division and Deputy for Commodity Management to ECBC’s Rock Island Site Manager; Willie Felix, Chief of the Sustainment Engineering Protection Branch; and Pat Schlue, Lead Engineer on the Design Engineering and Test Facility Branch explain what makes the Division a vital part of the Engineering Directorate in support of the ECBC mission. Engineering Edge (EE): What defines “sustainment engineering?” What makes the Sustainment Engineering Division important and unique? JK: Sustainment is a function of engineering responsible for maintaining legacy systems in the field. This is accomplished principally through technical expertise in support of the acquisition of legacy systems, spare parts and addressing issues related to fielded equipment. The Sustainment Engineering Division is the principal Engineering Directorate organization that provides Procurement Package Input (PPI) and other acquisition support to U.S. Army TACOM, the Army Contracting Command (ACC)-Warren, the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and Pine Bluff Arsenal for most chemical biological defense (CBD) equipment. It is important to note that while the SED provides the majority of the final technical documentation on these matters, this work is done with strong collaboration with our colleagues in the Engineering Directorate and our external customers. In order for the sustainment function to be successful, it must be a strong collaborative activity that brings diverse expertise and functions together to achieve a common objective. The SED is unique in that it also supplies technical expertise to PM-SKOT, which covers a wide assortment of equipment ranging from vehicular and individual tool sets to inflatable boats and diving gear. This effort and expertise extends through the full equipment life cycle, and not just during the sustainment phase. EE: The Sustainment Engineering Division consists of two branches and a number of personnel who directly report to Kerch in his Deputy for Commodity Management role. What are each branch’s responsibilities and capabilities? WF: The Sustainment Engineering Protection Branch provides engineering and acquisition support to legacy and newly fielded items and their associated spare parts, in collaboration with the other divisions within the Engineering Directorate. Major capabilities include configuration management, surveillance support, technical loop support, engineering support for the acquisition of chemical and biological items, fielding support and Statement of Work development. The Branch focuses principally on protective equipment (individual and collective), smoke generators, smoke grenade launchers and riot control systems.

PS: The Design Engineering and Test Facility Branch personnel support PM-SKOT programs and have the capability to computermodel and establish technical data for various equipment. Our personnel also prepare documentation which supports lifecycle milestone decisions and materiel release decisions. The lab facility is capable of performing destructive or nondestructive testing of both CBD and PM-SKOT systems. Testing includes environmental, transportability, package testing, measurement of physical characteristics and operational simulations. The Branch’s engineers are experts in conducting market research, designing products, creating technical data and testing products. EE: Who are your primary customers? What expertise do you provide them? What are your strongest capabilities that keep your customers happy? JK: The Sustainment Engineering Division’s primary customers include TACOM, ACC-Warren, DLA, PM-SKOT, and elements of the JPEO-CBD. Our division is the Engineering Directorate’s primary interface to TACOM, ACC-Warren and DLA, which requires us to especially focus on our customer service to these organizations. Since our customers within these organizations are primarily sustainment-focused, there is an inherent commonality of overall purpose that helps the organizational relationship. One major tool we use to measure and track customer satisfaction is the use of the ISO system. This system provides us with the necessary metrics to assess our performance in providing Technical Data Packages (TDP), PPIs, DLA 339 (customer inquiries) and other technical support in an effective and timely manner. Additionally, a special liaison position within the SED provides direct contact with TACOM CBD personnel on a daily basis. The visible presence of an ECBC liaison at TACOM demonstrates the high value that our Division places on TACOM’s customer satisfaction. PS: Our Division is the focal point with PM-SKOT. A major area of customer satisfaction for PM-SKOT is that our engineers provide their projects with a “one stop” experience (model, design, build prototypes, test and documentation), which is very appealing to the customer.

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE


THE ENGINEERING EDGE |March 2014| 7

The Hydraulic System Test and Repair Unit (HSTRU) was designed by a contractor from a Description For Purchase that was developed by ECBC-Rock Island in support of PM-SKOT.

EE: Who makes up the Division’s workforce? JK: Our workforce consists primarily of engineers and technicians. The engineers have wide-ranging academic backgrounds which include degrees in chemical, mechanical, electrical, industrial, and biomedical engineering. These engineers have also met or exceeded their Acquisition Certification requirements. Overall, the years of experience of our engineering staff ranges from five to more than 30 years, which provides depth of institutional and product knowledge, as well as fresh perspectives from our more junior personnel. EE: What does the Sustainment Engineering Division do in direct support of the Warfighter? JK: First and foremost, the Division provides almost all technical data and engineering information needed to procure spare parts and Class II end items for CBD supported systems. This is the starting point for maintaining sustainment items in the field and directly affects the Warfighter by ensuring these systems will be operationally ready when needed. This data is developed or reviewed by the Sustainment Engineering Division for legacy, fielded equipment. Bottom line: the Sustainment Engineering Division provides the technical data that our TACOM, ACC-Warren and DLA partners rely on to get the right parts to the Warfighter at the right time.

Personnel from the SED directly field the LVOSS to the Warfighter.

Secondly, the Division, in support of various JPMs, is directly involved in the fielding of systems to the Warfighter. For example, in support of JPM-CA, our personnel directly fielded the Light Vehicle Obscuration Smoke System (LVOSS) to troops and participate in new materiel information briefings attended by user representatives. PS: ECBC, in support of PM-SKOT, develops a number of systems such as diving equipment and tool sets. After development, ECBC assists with the production and testing of the equipment prior to PM-SKOT fielding these items to the Warfighter.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

Employee Spotlight: COL Debra Daniels What has been the most challenging part of being a female in a male-dominated field? I sometimes find that people can be more challenging than the Army’s mission; I thrive when people discourage me. I am proud to say that the Army provides the same standards for both male and female Soldiers with clear standards expected in each career field. The criteria for promotion in the Army are based on your skill, overall manner of performance and needs of the Army. I have succeeded not based on gender but on training, and performance that led to positions of increasing responsibility (and discouragement). In my first assignment, I was a Platoon Leader in the 18th Engineer Brigade in Germany; I was in charge of a 40-person platoon that was all male. I was one of several female officers assigned to the unit for the first time, making it a time of great change for the Corps of Engineers. My Platoon Sergeant, SFC Jeffery Kiper, was emphatic that I was

thoroughly trained to be a platoon leader and knew everything about the Soldiers, the engineer equipment, our construction mission and the Army; he ensured that I was trained and expected me to be the best platoon leader in the battalion, regardless of my gender, and I was. He was aware of the challenges facing me, but focused on overcoming gender and race distractions by training and preparing me to ensure I was competent, confident and capable to handle any challenge. What are your hobbies outside of work? I have many “relaxation” hobbies – I love to draw and paint, and I’m also an avid amateur photographer. I also enjoy traveling and reading novels, especially detective mysteries.

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE


8 | EDGEWOOD CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL CENTER

ECBC Chemical Lab Pack The Environment Quality Office (EQO) is holding a lab pack for unwanted and expired chemicals during the week of 28 April 2014. The lab pack will allow for the disposal of lab and general use chemicals without the need for entering into the Hazardous Waste Tracking System (HWTS). You do not need to be a current HWTS user to participate. EQO will remove barcoded items from Hazardous Inventory Tracking System (HITS). Provide a list of each chemical/item, the container size(s) and number of containers to Debbie Absher (deborah.e.absher.civ@mail.mil) and Leonard Fisher (leonard.p.fisher2.civ@mail.mil) NLT 18 Apr 2014. Include your contact information.

First Division and Branch Chief Offsite of 2014 Takes an In-Depth Look at ECBC Engineering

T

he first Engineering Directorate Quarterly Division and Branch Chief Offsite of 2014 was held on Feb. 18 in the Berger Auditorium, with Rock Island personnel joining via video teleconference. While not as “off-site” as some of the previous meetings, the Berger Auditorium proved to be the perfect venue for Engineering’s leadership to gain an in-depth understanding of the Directorate’s critical role in the chemical-biological defense program (CBDP). Acting Director Bill Klein presented an informative and very interesting briefing covering a variety of topics, with a focus on the evolution of ECBC and how it fits into the Army and the joint CBD community. Additionally, attendees were provided an insider’s view of the CBDP Program Objective Memorandum (POM) process. An understanding of these important topics by Engineering

Directorate’s leaders is vital as the organization prepares its business development plan, human capital management plan and other key initiatives of the Balanced Scorecard strategic management system. In addition to Klein’s briefing, an overview of generations in the workforce was presented by Ed Bowen that described some of the characteristics of the four generations that currently comprise the Directorate’s workforce, along with trends that leadership can expect to see in the coming years. Updates of the Division Chief-led strategic initiatives were also provided to keep leadership apprised of the progress being accomplished on the Directorate’s Strategic Plan.

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.