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Heuristic Algorithm for U.S. Naval Mission Allocation
"Current military leadership is directing the U.S. Navy to engage in theater security cooperation activities or missions to bolster confidence and build trust relationships with other national military forces. Using ships efficiently by maximizing the value of missions accomplished in any time period is important because these missions affect world security, as well as our own national security. Recent research has developed a mixed-integer programming optimization model called Central-West Africa Resource and Mission Allocation (CARMA) that seeks to efficiently route a single naval vessel embarked with expeditionary partnership teams conducting theater security cooperation missions, to maximize the total mission value. The two current algorithms for solving CARMA require commercial software to solve the associated optimization models. This thesis develops a custom-built, license-free heuristic algorithm that provides decent solutions to CARMA in a fraction of the time of these algorithms. The developed heuristic uses limited enumeration to generate feasible routes and mission schedules for the ship. In the scenarios tested, the solution produced by the heuristic is not only generated in a fraction of the time of the current algorithms, but the total mission value collected is within 5% - 7% of those solution values."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Dwyer, Derek T.
2008-09
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Protection against a Ship as a Weapon
"Stopping a ship commandeered and used as a weapon to attack shore infrastructure in the Strait of Malacca is a challenging problem. The purpose of this thesis is to determine systems that constitute architectures of an SoS to stop oil tanker that is hijacked with the intention of running into the oil terminal on Jurong Island, Singapore. In addition, this research aims at laying a sound systems engineering foundation for addressing this problem. The approach primarily leverages the System of Systems Architecture Development Process (SoSADP) [1]. Systems to stop hijacked merchant vessels or ships used as weapons (SAW) are investigated. This thesis shows that there are means to stop a SAW. These include existing and postulated systems that warrant further consideration and study for inclusion into Singapore's Maritime Domain Protection (MDP) architecture. The results of the research cited in this thesis have potential MDP applications around the world and can serve as tools for decision makers in future SAW and MDP analysis. All products in this thesis can be expanded in the future as part of the iterative systems engineering process."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Epp, Christopher D.
2008-09
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Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Tactical Satellites, High-Altitude Long-Endurance Airships, and High and Medium Altitude Unmanned Aerial Systems for ISR and Communication Missions
"Before 1991, the United States military's demand for additional communications bandwidth and timely intelligence was rising rapidly. Since then, with the advent of the Global War on Terrorism, it has increased substantially. To address this growing need, the Department of Defense has focused its acquisition and procurement efforts on obtaining new communications and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms that can help lessen shortfalls and possibly exploit new, untapped resources. Recently, there has been an increasing focus on new technology, such as tactical satellites or high-altitude long-endurance airships, as a way to increase communications and intelligence collection capacities. Likewise, advances in the capabilities of medium-altitude and high-altitude unmanned aerial systems have resulted in a more prominent role for them on today's battlefield. Each of these vehicles has a unique niche in today's military, but the increasing capabilities of each are beginning to create some overlap in their uses. This study will conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis on these systems for use as a persistent communications and ISR platform. In particular, it will measure the effectiveness of each for comparison, and will offer possibilities to increase the overall effective use of the three together to maximize performance and cost."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Collier, Corey M.; Kacala, Jeffrey C.
2008-09
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Disaster Housing: FEMA Needs More Detailed Guidance and Performance Measures to Help Ensure Effective Assistance after Major Disasters, Report to Congressional Requesters
"Concerns over the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) provision of temporary housing assistance, including travel trailers at group sites, after the 2005 hurricanes led to the development of the National Disaster Housing Strategy. [Government Accountability Office (GAO)] was asked to assess (1) the challenges households faced in transitioning to permanent housing, (2) the extent to which FEMA measured its performance in closing and transitioning households in group sites, (3) the strategy's effectiveness in defining FEMA's roles and responsibilities for closing and transitioning households in group sites, and (4) the alternatives to travel trailers in group sites and how well the strategy assessed them. GAO reviewed the strategy and interviewed officials from FEMA, state agencies, and selected nonprofit and housing research groups. GAO recommends that the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security direct FEMA to (1) develop results-oriented performance measures for assistance in group sites, (2) update its planning documents to reflect key characteristics of effective national strategies and plans, and (3) clearly describe in FEMA's guidance how travel trailers or other options identified by the states can be deployed when other preferred options are not available. FEMA generally agreed with GAO's recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2009-08-28
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FDA's Strategic Plan for Risk Communication
"The purpose of this document is to describe the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's strategy for improving how the agency communicates about regulated products. The strategy is intended to guide program development and research planning in a dynamic environment where rapidly evolving technologies enable patients and consumers to become increasingly involved in managing their health and well-being. We define three key areas-science, capacity, and policy-in which strategic actions can help improve how we communicate about the risks and benefits of regulated products, as well as how we oversee communications produced by regulated entities. The box titled FDA Risk Communication Strategic Plan at a Glance summarizes the three key areas and the associated strategies on which we will focus our efforts. This FDA Strategic Plan for Risk Communication is an ambitious one that will take time and substantial collaboration with stakeholders to implement. However, FDA is confident this strategy will help ensure that FDA-regulated products are used appropriately, a goal critical to the agency's mission of protecting and promoting the public health."
United States. Food and Drug Administration
2009
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Logistically Constrained Asset Scheduling in Maritime Security Operations
"Operational commanders and planners are challenged with maintaining fleet presence in many environments with limited resources. To add to this challenge, there are further constraints placed upon assets allocated to a given operational commander such as replenishments at sea, multinational exercises, diplomatic port visits, and predetermined in-chop and out-chop dates. In the case of the Combined Maritime Force (CMF), which operates in the FIFTH FLEET Area of Responsibility, these constraints are further magnified by the fact that ships under his or her operational command are from as many as ten different coalition nations at any given time. Furthermore, command of the CMF rotates between these coalition nations, increasing the propensity for inconsistent and sub-optimal resource allocation. This thesis develops a scheduling tool, Coalition Resource Allocation for Maritime Security (C-RAMS), that is capable of quickly producing a schedule that optimizes a given measure of effectiveness for assets assigned to the CMF. This C-RAMS tool accounts for logistics requirements and allows a commander to set priorities within various sub-regions, types of assets, and specific time periods. We illustrate how C-RAMS provides such an optimal schedule and also provides insights into interactions between different priorities and ship types, including those which may be interpolated for future force configurations, through the use of Visual Basic with an Excel 2003 user interface."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Clem, Doyne Damian
2008-09
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Lessons of Abu Ghraib: Understanding and Preventing Prisoner Abuse in Military Operations
"The abuse of prisoners by U.S. Soldiers at Abu Ghraib had broad strategic consequences, leading many people around the world to question the legitimacy of U.S. goals and activities in Iraq. This paper draws on extensive unclassified reports from multiple investigations that followed Abu Ghraib, and applies key psychological as well as social-situational perspectives to develop a better grasp of the causative factors. From a psychological standpoint, most young adults are powerfully inclined to behave in accord with the social conventions and pressures around them. Especially in ambiguous circumstances, then, it is important that standards of behavior be clear and explicit throughout all phases of an operation and that leaders at all levels represent and rein¬force those standards."
National Defense University. Center for Technology and National Security Policy
Bartone, Paul T.
2008-11
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Development of a Distributed Digital Array Radar (DDAR)
"Distributed digital arrays have many potential applications in radar and communication systems. The objective of this thesis is to re-examine previous research on distributed digital array radar (DDAR) and evaluate several critical aspects of a proposed wireless architecture. Self-standing transmit/receive (T/R) modules are synchronized wirelessly. An important issue addressed in this thesis is whether a simple low-cost synchronization circuit would perform adequately. To this end two breadboard T/R modules were built to support test and evaluation. Both measurements and simulations were performed. Other issues addressed in the research include a comprehensive investigation of the demodulator performance, and the development of Controller and processing software in LabVIEW."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Djerf, Pontus R.; Tornazakis, Ioannis
2008-09
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Emergency Preparedness: Improved Planning and Coordination Necessary for Development of Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, Statement of Mark L. Goldstein, Director, Physical Infrastructure, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, September 30, 2009
The document contains the testimony of Mark L. Goldstein of the U.S. General Accountability Office (GAO) before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management on September 30, 2009 on the topic of planning for the development of an integrated public alert and warning system in the United States. This testimony accompanies a regular GAO report on the topic published on the same day.
United States. Government Accountability Office
Goldstein, Mark L.
2009-09-30
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WMD Radiological/Nuclear Responder Operations Course PER-240
"This operations level weapons of mass destruction course is designed to teach first responders how to respond to an incident involving radiological or nuclear WMD, such as a Radiological Dispersal Device or and Improvised Nuclear Device. Responders are given hands on experience with radiation fields while learning the basic operation of radiation detectors and dosimeters"
United States. National Nuclear Security Administration
2008-07
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Validation of High Frequency Radar used in Ocean Surface Current Mapping via in-Situ Drifting Buoys
"High frequency (HF) radar and its application to mapping ocean surface currents is a relatively new field of study in oceanography. Nevertheless, this scientific field produces real, tangible, accurate real-time results readily available to the military operational planner. The information gained through this process aids in the planning and execution of littoral operations via the development of the battle-space environment. Additionally, commercial use of this information can aide in the containment of coastal oil spills, efforts in search and rescue, and the execution of coastal engineering projects. Indeed, the utilization of High Frequency radar in the ocean environment has many beneficial qualities used by a wide variety of organizations. This study focuses on the validation aspects of High Frequency radar through the use of four drifters placed in-situ from 23-27 January 2008 on the Central California Coast from Monterey to San Francisco. A second experiment was conducted from 01-10 April 2008 involving 32 drifters placed west of the San Francisco Bay. Various statistical comparisons of radial current velocity data from 12 CODAR (Coastal Ocean Dynamics Application Radar) stations to the radial velocity data of each of the drifters will be analyzed."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Wright, George
2008-09
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VoIP Quality Measurements in a Multilevel Secure (MLS) Environment
"Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is growing in popularity in the civilian and military communities due to its low cost and the management advantages it offers over traditional Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTN) phone systems. Many military commands do not have the infrastructure or funding that is required to support the rapid expansion of multiple phone services at various locations throughout the world. VoIP offers a rapidly deployable alternative. A subjective study was designed to test the quality of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) signals in a controlled and isolated multilevel secure network to which single level networks were attached. The experiment provided useful insights regarding VoIP testing with human subjects and its procedures can be repeated as the Monterey Security Architecture (MYSEA) project moves forward with the implementation and deployment of VoIP services in its multilevel testbed."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Adams, Coy M.
2008-03
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Report of the Defense Science Board 2008 Summer Study on Capability Surprise: Volume I: Main Report
"This report offers important considerations for the Department of Defense in response to future threats to our nation's security. This study concerns itself with the matter of capability surprise, which can arise from many sources--scientific breakthrough, rapid fielding, operational innovation. It considers two fundamental kinds of surprises: 1) those specific few, that because of their unique characteristics and impact, the national should be anticipating--referred to as 'known surprises'; and 2) those that arise unexpectedly out of a myriad of other possibilities, seemingly without warning--the 'surprising surprises.' The premise of the study is that surprise cannot be eliminated, but it can--and must--be managed."
United States. Defense Science Board; United States. Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics
2009-09
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Interagency Management of Complex Crisis Operations Handbook
"This handbook is intended to institutionalize the mechanisms for managing complex crises. While the following chapters focus mainly on interagency cooperation for complex foreign crises, these mechanisms may also be applied toward enhancing interagency efforts during domestic emergencies. These procedures were derived from After Action Review from past United States (U.S.) participation in complex foreign crises and subsequent improvements made in the interagency planning process. The handbook provides a guide for those in the interagency community who are or will be involved in planning such operations. There are five chapters in this handbook, followed by a series of appendices. Chapter 1 briefly discusses the historical background of the interagency coordination initiative and provides and introduction into the current system. Chapter 2 outlines the integrated interagency planning process that should take place in preparation for U.S. involvement in a complex crisis. Chapter 3 discusses the tools available to assist interagency planning for U.S. intervention, and Chapter 4 reviews strategic-level lessons derived from past operations. Chapter 5 concludes by highlighting the critical process of institutionalizing the process."
National Defense University
2003-01
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CIA: World Factbook [website]
"The World Factbook provides information on the history, people, government, economy, geography, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues for 266 world entities. Our Reference tab includes: maps of the major world regions, as well as Flags of the World, a Physical Map of the World, a Political Map of the World, and a Standard Time Zones of the World map."
United States. Central Intelligence Agency
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Secretary Napolitano Announces More than $355 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Airport Security Projects [October 1, 2009]
"Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced more than $355 million in funding for more than a dozen airport security projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). 'These state-of-the-art technologies will bolster security and increase efficiency for both travelers and employees,' said Secretary Napolitano. 'Investing Recovery Act funds in these critical airport projects will create jobs in local communities while strengthening our efforts to guard against terrorism.' Secretary Napolitano announced approximately $254 million in ARRA funds for inline baggage handling systems at six airports --including Washington Dulles International Airport ($154 million); Mineta San Jose International Airport ($20.9 million); San Antonio International Airport ($14.4 million); Portland (Maine) International Jetport ($9.2 million); Port Columbus International Airport ($35.2 million); and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ($20 million)."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Press Office
2009-10-01
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Biofuels: Potential Effects and Challenges of Required Increases in Production and Use, Report to Congressional Requesters
"In December 2007, the Congress expanded the renewable fuel standard (RFS), which requires rising use of ethanol and other biofuels, from 9 billion gallons in 2008 to 36 billion gallons in 2022. To meet the RFS, the Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Energy (DOE) are developing advanced biofuels that use cellulosic feedstocks, such as corn stover and switchgrass. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administers the RFS. This report examines, among other things, (1) the effects of increased biofuels production on U.S. agriculture, environment, and greenhouse gas emissions; (2) federal support for domestic biofuels production; and (3) key challenges in meeting the RFS. GAO extensively reviewed scientific studies, interviewed experts and agency officials, and visited five DOE and USDA laboratories. GAO suggests that the Congress consider requiring EPA to develop a strategy to assess lifecycle environmental effects of increased biofuels production and whether revisions are needed to the VEETC. GAO also recommends that EPA, DOE, and USDA develop a coordinated approach for addressing uncertainties in lifecycle greenhouse gas analysis and give priority to R&D that addresses future blend wall issues. DOE, USDA, and EPA generally agreed with the recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2009-08-15
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Winning the Battle of Ideas through Individual Resiliency: A Multi-dimensional Approach for Countering Radicalization in the Homeland
"To defeat the terrorist threat facing the U.S., the 9/11 Commission recommended a balanced strategy to attack the terrorists and prevent recruitment, while protecting against future attack. A review of the national strategies related to counterterrorism and homeland security shows they do not provide a balanced approach. Specifically, they fail to counter the factors influencing individuals to conduct terrorism. Disruption of the radicalization process, becomes more significant, when, considering the threat is no longer just of foreign origins, it is increasingly from within. Adding to this dilemma, evidence shows terrorist networks are becoming less centralized, and placing greater emphasis on individual actions. Based on the evolving threat, this thesis explores what strategy offers the most balanced approach. To answer this question, an exploratory study was conducted to define the threat and causes of radicalization. The current U.S. strategies were then evaluated to determine if they adequately addressed the research findings. Additionally, international approaches were analyzed to determine if any lessons learned could be incorporated into a U.S. strategy. The recommendation is to complement existing strategies with a counterradicalization strategy. The proposed multi-dimensional solution offers several options to counter radicalization: traditional and nontraditional educational programs, outreach programs, and community involvement."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Sampson, Kirk J.
2009-09
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How to Prepare the National Guard's Leadership for Successful Venture in Homeland Security
From the thesis abstract: "The National Guard (NG) will be the first military force on disaster scenes in the United States. If the NG is to respond as efficiently as possible, the NG leadership must be educated on preparation for and response to disasters. Research questions used were: how to overcome the gap in disaster-response knowledge, and what are the topics on which the Department of Defense (DoD) should specifically educate the NG leadership? What has caused this education gap and how can the NG leadership overcome it? Survey and interview responses revealed that gaps exist in what the NG knows about the state response process and knowledge of what the civilians expect from the military. A review of the existing education opportunities available to the NG showed that none covered the state process. Using the military decision-making process, courses of action were developed to correct this education shortfall. Recommendations included the development of a one-week course to address the state response process, DoD acknowledgment of the civil support mission, and the assigned and funded ability of the NG to educate and train on the civil support missions."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Amundson, Randy J.
2009-09
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Protecting Small Communities through Domestic Policing: Adopting an Information Analysis System to Recognize Potential Terrorist Activity
"Throughout history, the role of law enforcement has never been more demanding than it is today. In the aftermath of 9/11, local law enforcement agencies have recognized the need to develop new capabilities to protect their communities. Due to the evolving nature of terrorism, public safety organizations must modify the way they respond to crime and acts of terrorism. This report seeks to contribute to the debate among law enforcement organizations regarding how to counter the increasing threat of terrorism. The aim of this document is to assist policymakers by providing an alternate response strategy to the growing criminal and terrorist nexus. Due to limited resources, the challenges of implementing a locally driven information system for police agencies are considerable. Outcome-based policing is a promising methodology that is proactive and information driven. It is a comprehensive strategy that addresses domestic policing and homeland security concerns affecting public safety. This thesis examines the challenge small communities have in combating threats of terrorism through shared intelligence. As a final point, this report outlines how the threat of terrorism and potential terrorist activity has redefined police operations and its impact on small jurisdictions."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Perry, Donnie
2009-09
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Framing Cultural Attributes for Human Representation in Military Training and Simulations
"This thesis provides insight to improve training of personnel that will support United States Security, Stability, Transformation and Reconstruction (SSTR) operations in the social and cultural context of the Middle East. SSTR operations require competencies far beyond conventional fighting skills. Necessary skills include rounded knowledge about the history and culture, and language, of the indigenous people in the operational area. Through personal interviews, social science research, and historical literature reviews, this thesis provides a framework for training military personnel on culture and social interactions using modeling and simulation. I propose the use of computer agents, bots or avatars with the cultural/social attributes explained within to be a solution to the lack of training in this field. These enhanced interaction skills will further support regional stability, increase cooperative engagements, and decrease insurgent activities."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Fears, Tellis A.
2008-09
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Traveling Overseas with Mobile Phones, Laptops, PDAs, and Other Electronic Devices
This short document contains tips from the National Counterintelligence Executive on traveling overseas with electronic devices. It contains general tips one should know, tips for before traveling, while away, and upon return. The tips are mostly related to securing your personal information and company intelligence.
United States. Office of the National Counterintelligence Executive
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Architecting a Net-centric Operations System of Systems for Multi-domain Awareness
"Maritime domain awareness (MDA) entails knowing what is happening in the oceans and waterways that could affect the security or environment of the United States. With a focus on potential attack vessels (PAV) as threats in the maritime domain, a multi-domain SoS is needed to exploit and integrate information from multiple sources, including sensors, databases, and intelligence, to provide reconnaissance, surveillance, and information used in the formulation of a common operational picture (COP), a tool to effect maritime domain awareness. In this thesis the best architecture of net-centric operations (NCO) multidomain system of systems (SoS) for MDA is determined, employing an integrated systems engineering methodology for analyzing and ranking systems of systems architectures. This methodology involves the use of process modeling, modeling of an SoS with the systems modeling language (SysML), and subsequent conversion of the resulting SysML diagrams into an ExtendTM executable simulation model, used in a simulative study carried out to evaluate three multi-domain awareness SoS architecture alternatives in terms of the time to establish a COP and the probability of COP accuracy. Of the three architecture alternatives, a conceptual SoS whose constituting systems are connected in a distributed network with a high degree of connectivity is found to take the least amount of time to establish a COP and to have a high probability of COP accuracy. It can thus be considered to be the best of the three MDA SoS architecture alternatives."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Ruegger, Keith L.
2008-09
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Uses of a Polarimetric Camera
"Research question: Using Polarimetric imaging, what is the capability for the detection of disturbed surfaces (soil, asphalt, other)? In particular, what capabilities are provided by a compact video imaging system currently being acquired by NPS for various research uses? Discussion of topic: Polarimetric imaging is the final domain in optical systems, following along after panchromatic and spectral imaging. This technology is now viable to test for possible phenomenologies and applications of military interest. Since polarization is strongly affected by surface roughness, it is intrinsically sensitive to disturbed surfaces. As such, it should be good for detection of IEDs, and traffic by foot or vehicle. There are some reasons to believe it may help discriminate good and bad landing zones for helicopter activities in desert environments, and may help helicopters to avoid 'brown outs.' Conclusion: There were no significant changes in the area of degree of linear polarization over a fixed amount of time at a fixed target."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Smith, Phillip S.
2008-09
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Surface Combatant Readiness to Confront a Sea Control Navy
"This thesis proposes to correct the shortfalls in the US Surface Combatants ability to counter a Sea-Control Navy. The concept counters this threat using unmanned aerial systems, decoys, and a layered defense. We analyze the performance with a Filtering Model of Salvo Warfare that is an extension of the Hughes Salvo Equations. The model incorporates the diluting effect of decoys upon enemy salvos and accounts for the historical reality of leakers. We conclude that in the absence of air support provided by US Carriers the warships that will have to reestablish sea control will be Arleigh Burke Destroyers based on current force composition. In summary, the thesis illustrates serious combat shortfalls in Surface Warfare of DDGs against a numerically superior Chinese Surface Action Group and proposes a reasonable solution of three key upgrades. The first upgrade is a long range TASM-like missile to correct the current DDG's lack of long range offensive missiles. The next two upgrades are both unmanned aerial systems. The Global Hawk maritime variant would provide offensive targeting data to surface combatants allowing for a successful first strike. The Fire Scout would provide local airborne early warning to allow for timely launches of decoys and defensive missiles."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Wissel, Nicholas E.
2008-09
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Aviation Security: A National Strategy and Other Actions Would Strengthen TSA's Efforts to Secure Commercial Airport Perimeters and Access Controls, Report to Congressional Requesters
"Incidents of airport workers using access privileges to smuggle weapons through secured airport areas and onto planes have heightened concerns regarding commercial airport security. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), along with airports, is responsible for security at TSA-regulated airports. To guide risk assessment and protection of critical infrastructure, including airports, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) developed the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP). [Government Accountability Office (GAO)] was asked to examine the extent to which, for airport perimeters and access controls, TSA (1) assessed risk consistent with the NIPP; (2) implemented protective programs, and evaluated its worker screening pilots; and (3) established a strategy to guide decision making. GAO examined TSA documents related to risk assessment activities, airport security programs, and worker screening pilots; visited nine airports of varying size; and interviewed TSA, airport, and association officials. GAO recommends, among other things, that TSA develop a comprehensive risk assessment of airport security, and milestones for its completion; an evaluation plan for any future airport security pilot programs; and a national strategy for airport security that includes key characteristics, such as goals and priorities. DHS reviewed a draft of this report and concurred with these recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2009-09-30
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Equal Employment Opportunity: DHS Has Opportunities to Better Identify and Address Barriers to EEO in Its Workforce, Report to the Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
"The federal government is faced with a workforce that is becoming increasingly eligible for retirement. GAO has reported that it is important for federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to use available flexibilities to acquire, develop, motivate, and retain talented individuals who reflect all segments of society and our nation's diversity. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) Management Directive (MD) 715, provides that in order to attract and retain top talent, federal agencies are to identify barriers to equal employment opportunity (EEO) in the workplace, execute plans to eliminate barriers, and report annually to EEOC. In response to a request to determine the extent to which DHS has taken steps to identify and address barriers to EEO and how DHS oversees and supports component agencies in identifying and addressing barriers, GAO reviewed DHS's MD-715 reports and EEOC guidance on MD-715 and interviewed officials from DHS's civil rights and human capital offices responsible for EEO. GAO recommends that DHS (1) develop a strategy to regularly include employee input in identifying potential barriers to EEO and (2) establish interim milestones for completing planned activities to address identified barriers. DHS agreed with our recommendations."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2009-08-31
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Emergency Management: Preliminary Observations on FEMA's Community Preparedness Programs Related to the National Preparedness System, Statement of William O. Jenkins, Jr., Director Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
"By preparing their families and property before an event, individuals can reduce a disaster's impact on them and their need for first responder assistance, particularly in the first 72 hours following a disaster. By law, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is to develop a national preparedness system (NPS)--FEMA includes community preparedness programs as part of the NPS. FEMA's budget to operate these programs made up less than one half of 1 percent of its $7.9 billion budget for fiscal year 2009. These programs include the Citizen Corps program and its partner programs, such as Fire Corps, and rely on volunteers to coordinate efforts and assist first responders in local communities. DHS's Ready Campaign promotes preparedness through mass media. This testimony provides preliminary observations on (1) challenges FEMA faces in measuring the performance of Citizen Corps, its partner programs, and the Ready Campaign and (2) actions FEMA has taken to develop a strategy to encompass how Citizen Corps, its partner programs, and the Ready Campaign operate within the context of the NPS. This testimony is based on work conducted from February 2008 to October 2009. GAO analyzed documents, such as FEMA's strategic plan, and compared reported performance data with observations from 12 site visits, selected primarily based on the frequency of natural disasters. The results are not projectable, but provide local insights."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2009-10-01
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Personnel Security Clearances: An Outcome-Focused Strategy and Comprehensive Reporting of Timeliness and Quality Would Provide Greater Visibility over the Clearance Process, Statement of Brenda S. Farrell, Director Defense Capabilities and Management, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Intelligence Community Management, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, House of Representatives
"Personnel security clearances are used to verify that national security information--which in some cases could cause exceptionally grave damage to U.S. national defense or foreign relations if disclosed--is entrusted only to individuals who have proven reliability and loyalty to the nation. Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the nation's defense and intelligence needs grew, prompting increased demand for personnel with security clearances. According to officials from the Joint Reform Team, about 2.4 million people--excluding some of those with clearances who work in areas of national intelligence--currently hold clearances, and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) conducted about 750,000 national security investigations in fiscal year 2008. We have previously reported on delays and backlogs in security clearance processing, lack of reciprocity among agencies, and incomplete investigations. As a result of these long-standing issues, we have designated the Department of Defense's (DOD) personnel security clearance program a high-risk area since 2005. In response to concerns about delays in processing clearances and other issues, Congress, including the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, set goals and established requirements for improving the clearance process in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA)."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2009-10-01
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Veiled Normalization: The Implications of Japanese Missile Defense
"Japan's development of a missile defense system has been accompanied by the acquisition of potentially offensive military assets, an increased command and control capability, significant restructuring of the collective defense establishment, and doctrinal changes that allow pre-emption should an attack be deemed imminent. Regardless of the long-standing Japanese debate on the constitutionality of the use of force, the introduction of missile defense has institutionalized key structural elements within the defense establishment marking a clear milestone in an ongoing trend towards security normalization. Under the broad rubric of missile defense, Japan has had to re-evaluate its position on the military use of space, the export of weapons technology, collective security, command authority, and the conditions under which pre-emption may be warranted. These changes have manifested themselves in many ways, to include statutory changes, restructuring and elevation of the former Defense Agency, an increased emphasis on joint service interoperability, and the acquisition of a broad range of advanced technologies. It is undeniable that the trend towards security normalization began with the inception of the National Police Reserve in 1950, but it can also be asserted that missile defense has provided an umbrella under which the trend has been significantly advanced."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Clarke, Timothy L.
2008-09
