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Motivating Language and Empathic Leadership Drives Aircraft Readiness
From the thesis abstract: "The Marine Corps is concerned with aircraft readiness, retention levels and aircraft mishaps. High quality connection, unit support and organizational justice are traits structured within Marine aviation logistics. Miscommunication, however, continues to delay responsiveness. This thesis explores qualitative measurements and develops a proposed theoretical framework to study factors that might better predict readiness. The thesis also presents possible quantitative metrics of readiness within Marine aviation logistics as well as measures of effective communication and relationships. Motivating language theory provides the general framework to explore the omission of service levels. Data elements within the Aviation Maintenance and Supply Readiness Report and Individual Training Standards System aim to provide measurements of readiness. This thesis further proposes a Marine Air Group survey that explores the long-term benefits of motivating language and empathic leadership on readiness. Ultimately, this thesis proposes that the positive influence of motivating language and the mediation of empathic leadership increase unit and individual readiness."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Aionaaka, Nickolas H.
2017-03
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Evaluation of Factors on the Patterns of Ship Movement and Predictability of Future Ship Location in the Gulf of Mexico
From the thesis abstract: "In this thesis, we examine techniques used to predict future ship movement using historical Automatic Identification System (AIS) data in the Gulf of Mexico from April 2014. We process the data to remove outliers and identify 'subtracks,' which are associated with trips made by a vessel between two points. A cluster analysis is then used to determine the extent to which subtrack routes segregate into groups in an area without well-defined shipping lanes. Although clustering structure does exist, it is not strong enough to support prediction modeling in line with other published work. We also examine the effects of weather and sea-state on deviations of a vessel's traveled route from the shortest (great-circle) route. Vessels vary substantially in how closely they adhere to a great-circle route. Head winds also contribute positively to these deviations. This result suggests that algorithms designed to predict the motion of vessels should take weather and sea-state into account."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Bay, Sophia M.
2017-03
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Lawful Hacking: Toward a Middle Ground Solution to the Going Dark Problem
From the thesis abstract: "This thesis examines the ongoing debate between law enforcement and the intelligence communities on one side, and the technology industry and privacy rights groups on the other, over the 'going dark' problem. Going dark is a phenomenon created by ubiquitous use of end-to-end encryption over communication devices and Internet platforms, rendering those communications warrant-proof. End-to-end encryption means that only the sender and receiver of the message can read it, and no one in between. Even with a properly executed warrant or subpoena, law enforcement and intelligence agencies are unable to access the data they need because that data was encrypted. This thesis explores the historical, political and legislative developments that contributed to the rise of encryption in recent years, as well as constitutional doctrines that may be relevant to the public debate over possible policy solutions. Through the policy options analysis method, this thesis identifies lawful hacking as a middle-ground solution that policymakers should adopt in the short term. It also recommends that the U.S. government initiate a public education campaign to gain public support for some form of regulation concerning encryption in the future. The fundamental issue here is not only about the tension between privacy and security. The issue is also about who should make decisions with broad implications for the collective security: elected officials or the technology industry."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Nguyen, Hoaithi Y.T.
2017-03
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Analysis of a Multi-disciplinary Approach to Gun Misuse and the Need for a Paradigm Shift in Terminology
From the thesis abstract: "The threat of gun misuse occurs against the backdrop of historical, cultural, and legal perspectives within which guns are immersed. This thesis explores the potential for collaboration among the medical, legal, and homeland security disciplines when confronting a commonly held threat, such as gun misuse. Currently, each discipline has a unique and sometimes conflicting definitional view of what the term 'gun control' actually means, as well as how it is to be operationally approached. What emerges within this thesis is the position that 'gun control' is not even the correct term to use and should be avoided when addressing issues involving gun misuse. Rather, the use of the term 'gun misuse prevention' appears to be more appropriate. Such a shift in perspective is not only more consistent with the gun misuse data presented, but also serves to dampen the polarization imposed by the use of the term 'control.' Further, it provides a clearer path for stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to approach and make recommendations when confronting the issue of gun misuse that includes legislative, policy, and technological approaches. This type of approach may pave the way for addressing other issues of common interdisciplinary concern."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Arnold, Damon T.
2016-12
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Disaster Threat and the Dunning-Kruger Effect
From the thesis abstract: "Decision making is a cognitive process of selecting a course of action or belief among multiple alternative choices. However, pressures of time, circumstance or unappreciated wickedness can create a situation where an ostensibly illogical choice overtakes rational decision making. Sometimes, when evaluated by those considered experts, decisions made in disasters seem irrational, harmful, or iniquitous in nature. A cognitive bias known as the Dunning-Kruger effect posits that individuals who lack the necessary skills to make rational decisions can also lack the metacognitive ability to realize that their decision making is flawed. The Dunning-Kruger theory theorizes this can result in the individual exhibiting overconfidence to adequately address the threat. Essentially, the unskilled are unaware and overconfident. This thesis investigates the occurrence of the Dunning-Kruger effect in individual decision making during disasters. The author analyzed 12 indicators by coding interview transcripts of disaster survivors. This thesis includes two case studies: Hurricane Katrina, representing a natural disaster, and the World Trade Center attacks, exemplifying a human-caused disaster. In each case, 30 transcripts of survivors were reviewed, and Dunning-Kruger indicators were present in both case studies. How individuals process realized or perceived threat is important for homeland security policy makers. Future research should be conducted to better understand how Dunning-Kruger effects influence disaster decision making."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Siems, Jeffrey W.
2016-12
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Implementing Compstat Principles into Critical Infrastructure Protection and Improvement
From the thesis abstract: "Roads and bridges, as aspects of transportation that are at the center of critical infrastructure (CI), are central to evacuation and to emergency response. New York City CI needs an accountability and communication model to ensure future progress, focusing on maintenance and prioritized improvement. This thesis focuses on how a performance measurement system, such as the New York City Police Department's (NYPD) CompStat [Computer Statistics] model, will improve and protect the critical infrastructure of New York City's roads and bridges. The author uses over 20 years of NYPD managerial experience to demonstrate the successes of the NYPD's CompStat program through its 22-year history and how those successes can be translated to improvement in accountability and communications in road and bridge construction and reconstruction. This thesis investigates CI issues, and multiple sample events demonstrate how using the CompStat model would have resulted in a different outcome. I make the recommendation to create a New York City Mayor's Office of Infrastructure using New York City Emergency Management's Emergency Support Functions (ESF) as a method of grouping agencies and private companies together to engage in pre-event non-emergency multi-agency conversations."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Molinari, Mark C.
2016-12
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Fracking: Unintended Consequences for Local Communities
From the thesis abstract: "The advent of hydraulic fracturing and the ability to bore horizontal wells have changed the energy industry for better and worse since 2005. Advancements have dramatically increased the extraction of oil from shale, but the controversial process, commonly known as 'fracking,' has transformed North Dakota's Bakken into a major producer of oil that has affected global oil markets. The questions asked in this thesis are as follows: What are the effects of unconventional shale oil exploration on local communities? How can they prepare for, prevent, mitigate, and recover from the socioeconomic impacts associated with shale oil exploration? What happened at the Bakken served as a case study to evaluate the holistic impact of fracking on the environment and socioeconomics of local communities at the epicenter of shale oil production. This study included an evaluation of crucial environmental issues: water consumption, water quality, air quality, wastewater disposal, and seismic activity in western North Dakota. Socioeconomic concerns comprised population growth, housing availability, employment rate, community growth, taxes, infrastructure needs, and crime rate. An analysis of these impacts leads this thesis to six offer recommendations that local decision makers should consider as they strive to implement risk-reduction strategies and policies for their communities."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Stangeland, Chad David
2016-12
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Impact of 'Duty to Warn' (and Other Legal Theories) on Countering Violent Extremism Intervention Programs
From the thesis abstract: "Countering violent extremism (CVE) programs are moving into the realm of intervention, diversion, and deflection. These programs require mental health professionals to conduct assessments, construct treatment plans, and provide the treatment. How can practitioners treat or divert individuals from the path to radicalization but also communicate when an individual remains a threat? An understanding of the laws that facilitate or restrict disclosure of confidential health info, combined with a structure to oversee the process, is critical. Research for this thesis has focused on federal and Maryland state laws pertaining to medical record confidentiality and the duty to warn. This legal analysis has determined that exceptions exist within medical confidentiality laws, enabling mental health practitioners to disclose when a threat exists, and that Maryland's duty-to-warn laws mandate that mental health practitioners have a duty to protect third parties from the actions of patients. Due to the varied disciplines involved in CVE, collaborative group models are suggested to structure the process."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Ward, Michael
2016-12
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Rules and a Rubric Could Be Used to Assess the Openness of a Homeland Security Enterprise Social Network
From the thesis abstract: "The Homeland Security Enterprise (HSE) lacks a process to create a body of knowledge to unify its stakeholders. This thesis asked if a set of rules and an assessment methodology could be applied to three wikis to illustrate how the rules can improve the quality of information-sharing across the HSE. The research for this thesis applied a set of rules and an assessment methodology to case studies testing the hypothesis that wikis are a good example of an enterprise social network (ESN) and could serve to meet the information needs of the HSE. The methodology will apply Bloom's Taxonomy to a rubric and establish a current status, as well as plan a path ahead for development. This thesis investigated the demand for improved information sharing and some existing platforms, and developed an assessment rule set and rubric. It then discovered the openness strengths and weaknesses of three case studies using the rules and rubric. Our conclusions are that the rules and rubric are adequate to develop paths to improvement for existing platforms, as well as to aid in the planning of future ESNs with the intention of developing a wiki-based homeland security-centric ESN designed to create an HSE body of knowledge."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Murray, Jeffrey Thomas
2016-12
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Drone Court and Due Process
From the thesis abstract: "In the aftermath of 9/11, the U.S. Congress passed the Authorized Use of Military Force (AUMF), which established the authority of the president to use force to protect the United States from threats against the homeland. This authority allowed the president to use drones, even against U.S. citizens on foreign soil who have been deemed terrorists and placed on the kill list. The current process lacks procedural due process. These flaws have prompted critics to argue that a drone court should be created to address this concern. This thesis explores the issue of the drone court and asks, if one were created, what form should it take? How should it look? The thesis employs a policy options analysis to review three possible judicial forums for hearing these cases: the Foreign Surveillance Court (FISC), Guiora and Brand's hypothetical Operational Security Court (OSC), and the Combatant Status Review Tribunal (CSRT). Five criteria were evaluated: oversight of the executive branch, transparency, timeliness, judges and legal representation, and legal/procedural review. The OSC had the best evaluation because it supported procedural due process. However, policies will need to be implemented to ensure that OSC legal procedures are timely."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
McManus, Sheree J.
2016-12
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Seeing Eye Drones: How the DoD Can Transform CBRN and Disaster Response in the Homeland
From the thesis abstract: "The threat of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) disasters is one of the most dangerous threats to the homeland. The United States has an opportunity to harness emerging technology to increase responder safety and improve situational awareness for civil authorities during response to natural or manmade CBRN disasters. This thesis explores the possibility of integrating small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) with video capability and CBRN detection and identification sensors for use by National Guard civil support teams. Existing policy and doctrine are insufficient to accommodate the fielding of such a capability. This thesis identifies and discusses these gaps. This thesis also conducts an analysis of similar Department of Defense and other national UAS policy and programs and offers recommendations to implement a new domestic sUAS policy. The recommendations provide the framework for implementing an innovative technology while addressing complicated issues, such as national airspace system integration, intelligence oversight, and training programs."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Jonkey, Matthew J.
2016-12
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Ontology of Power: Perception and Reality in Conflict
From the thesis abstract: "Strategy is a problematic yet often-invoked concept. This thesis explores the 2015 U.S. National Security Strategy (NSS), philosophy, and social theory to develop an alternative framework for the formulation of strategy in the security domain. The 2015 NSS is analyzed for consistency in its concepts and categories. A model of strategic agency is proposed as an alternative framework for developing security strategy. The strategic agency model draws upon actor-network theory and utilizes a novel approach whereby ontology is conceived as a network of power relations. Strategic agency provides a mechanism whereby a perceiving self-observer (Strategos, the strategic agent) may identify, describe, and explain the behavior of other actors in the strategic environment. This thesis relates how the perspective of Strategos moves along a continuum of ontology and epistemology in framing its world, with implications for accurate modeling of social systems. A model for analytical use in strategy development is presented along with insights into how such a model might be employed for analytical, planning, and operational purposes."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Gaddy, Jonathan W.
2016-12
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New Model for Understanding Incident Management
From the thesis abstract: "The various sources of doctrine that practitioners use to conceptualize incident management result in inefficiencies, conflict, and misinterpretation. They can hinder or reduce operational success for incident management agencies and practitioners. Existing difficulties were validated through practitioner interviews and an in-depth literature review. Taking a more comprehensive and unified approach, a new incident management conceptual model is proposed and applied to several case examples. Conclusions, findings, and possible corrective measures are proposed to improve incident management doctrine."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Flamm, David S.
2016-12
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Visual Language for Situational Awareness
From the thesis abstract: "What is the best way for the various responder silos to communicate situational awareness information across complex homeland security incidents? With the advent of wireless data networks, homeland security responders have the opportunity to instantly communicate vast volumes of information across myriad local, state, and federal resources. Finding a common, interoperable language for a network-centric response environment is essential to avoid duplicating the patchwork of communication techniques in place today. A comparative analysis between Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security finds the agencies have very similar situational awareness needs. The Department of Defense is more advanced in its development of networked situational awareness communication. The humble map lies at the heart of situational awareness tools and requires a common visual language to be interoperable. This thesis recommends a common national symbols set that visually communicates situational awareness across a network. Applying semiotic principles to symbols creates a visual metalanguage that answers not only 'What?' and 'Where?' questions, but also provides essential operational context by incorporating the attributes of incident resources into the symbols themselves."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
DeMarco, David L.
2016-12
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Business of Security: Applying an Economic Model to Human Trafficking in Oregon
From the thesis abstract: "Human trafficking is the second-largest criminal industry in the world and has become the fastest-growing crime today, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Many policies have attempted to reduce human trafficking through under-resourced initiatives and social services. This thesis explores whether applying an economic supply and demand model to human trafficking at the state level would reduce the prevalence of human trafficking. Using an economic supply and demand model, the research evaluates current literature and existing national and state policies within Oregon, analyzing weaknesses and gaps. The thesis presents policy analysis under a qualitative cost-benefit lens to assess economic model variables applied to state level policies. The conclusion is that existing anti-human trafficking policies in Oregon are lacking in instilling risks and costs associated with conducting the criminal behavior. Supply and demand actors in human trafficking are operating relatively unhindered in Oregon, which has led to a growth of the problem in the state. Thus, a three-pronged approach built around an applied economic supply and demand model is recommended to help reduce human trafficking in Oregon: reduce costs to victims, increase costs to suppliers, and increase costs to buyers."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Vo, Thanh N.
2016-12
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DHS Skunkworks Project: Defining and Addressing Homeland Security Grand Challenges
From the thesis abstract: "What global grand challenges do we face today that will have an impact on the homeland security landscape twenty-five years from now? Today, a grand challenge is intended as a call-to-action for a given field, to find the potential solution for a moonshot problem. This thesis recommends potential methods and organizational capacity requirements for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) science and technology (S&T) based on a focused comparison of three cases: XPRIZE [XPRIZE Foundation], Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and DHS S&T [Science and Technology]. This research shows that both XPRIZE and DARPA have a consistent record of innovation and disruption that have transformed contemporary life through, for example, the internet, space travel, cloud computing, GPS, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and satellite imagery. However, DHS S&T has an uneven history and uninspiring track record of using research and development to deliver results. Through a contemporary application of smart practices used by XPRIZE and DARPA, DHS can better prepare for today's shifting technological threat environment. DHS' current approach to grand challenges is local and linear when it should be global and innovative. Better defining moonshot problems will lay the foundation for S&T to adopt pioneering strategies and to harness the massive potential of the crowd. These strategies will further drive innovation, the cornerstone to solving tomorrow's grand challenges."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Bowman, Calvin J.
2016-12
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Fatigue in a Bravery Culture-A Comparative Analysis
From the thesis abstract: "This thesis sought to analyze why the Homeland Security Enterprise (HSE) disregards practices that conform to the scientific understanding of human fatigue and to identify the effective human-error mitigation practices of two other high-consequence fields that may be useful to the HSE. Using the constant comparative method, the command center work environments of the HSE, nuclear power, and air traffic control were analyzed with regard to fatigue-mitigation practices and policies. Despite remarkable similarities in their public safety function and human-technology interface, the resulting grounded theory highlights key differences. In contrast to nuclear power and air traffic control, the HSE has yet to record a serious fatigue incident to serve as a catalyst for change, and unlike those two industries' strong safety cultures, the HSE command centers continue to operate in a deeply rooted bravery culture that prevents the focus on fatigue issues. This thesis brings attention to a clear safety gap and makes practical recommendations that would facilitate the HSE's intentional movement toward a safety culture through the implementation of comprehensive fitness-for-duty programs, multilevel fatigue mitigation training, and the gathering and continual review of human-error data in its command-center work environments."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Romero, John Anthony
2016-12
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Enhancing Public Helicopter Safety as a Component of Homeland Security
From the thesis abstract: "The wide range of missions performed by public safety helicopters makes them a valuable asset for the public and to the homeland security environment. The high-risk missions, lack of regulatory oversight, and minimal standards of safety put public-safety helicopter aviation in the crosshairs of the National Transportation Safety Board. This study addresses how public safety aviation units' exemption from the Federal Aviation Administration regulations is a contributing factor to helicopter accidents. The study uses a qualitative analysis called coding to identify the common traits among accidents and then makes recommendations to prevent future accidents. There is currently no industry research identifying the commonalities among accidents like this research does. This thesis also identified the safety culture in the public safety units as a contributing factor to the accidents. The nature of public safety personnel is to accept high levels of risk to help those in need. When this attitude is applied to aviation, it leads to unnecessary accidents. The recommendations provided in the last chapter of the thesis provide techniques and solutions to help reduce the risk in public safety aviation. The recommendations, if adequately implemented, may help save lives by preventing future accidents."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Fitzgerald, William Denis, Jr.
2016-12
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Uncommon Law: Understanding and Quantifying the Sovereign Citizen Movement
From the thesis abstract: "This thesis examines possible reasons why some organizations overuse the term 'sovereign citizen.' To do so, the thesis discusses various behaviors that sovereign citizens typically undertake, describes activities that the law enforcement community and researchers classify as sovereign citizen-related, and demonstrates the incongruity in some of those attributions. This thesis also explores how various organizations at times incorrectly apply the domestic terrorist label to sovereign citizens, at variance with both state and federal law. The conclusion proposes behavioral markers as a common language for identifying and quantifying anti-government behavior. The conclusion also demonstrates ways in which organizations should apply the markers to better calculate and assess the sovereign citizen movement."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Mallek, Michelle M.
2016-12
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From Tragedy to Strategy: Assessing the FDNY's Post-9/11 Strategic Planning Process
From the thesis abstract: "All Fire Department of the city of New York (FDNY) strategic plans have been formulated using the same process, implemented in the post-9/11 environment. The process must be assessed to ensure it supports the FDNY's mission in an environment that has significantly changed and continues to evolve. Since September 11, 2001, significant weather events, including blizzards, hurricanes, and Super Storm Sandy, have challenged the FDNY's capabilities and magnified the threat of global climate change. Terrorism keeps evolving; the use of fire as a weapon and active shooter tactics push the boundaries of the FDNY's response paradigms. Its core responsibilities are changing, with fire-related incidents dropping steadily and medical incidents rising significantly. The FDNY has risen to all these challenges, analyzing and adapting to threats, innovating and adopting new technology, improvising and adjusting tactics, and modifying and amending operations. However, in the twelve years since its first strategic plan, strategic planning at the FDNY has not evolved to include a long-term perspective with future-oriented goals and effective performance metrics to stay ahead of the evolving environment. Implementing the recommendations in this thesis will re-align and update the process, incorporating current concepts that will improve FDNY strategic planning now and in the future."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Pistilli, Jonathan P.
2016-12
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In Harmony with the Population: Ethnomusicology as a Framework for Countering Violent Extremism in the Sahel
From the thesis abstract: "Through continued efforts like the Pan-Sahel Initiative of 2002 and subsequent Trans- Saharan Counterterrorism Partnership initiated in 2005, the State Department and Department of Defense struggle to leverage interagency partnerships and multinational cooperation within the Sahel region to wage war on terrorism and enhance regional peace and security. While these programs have made modest progress through mil-to-mil engagements and U.S.-led military exercises in the region, they fail to understand and address the full scope of regional security issues in the Sahel to include transnational organized crime and centuries-old regional sovereignty disputes. If policy makers hope to achieve and maintain true situational awareness in such a dynamic environment, they must leverage all available tools. In a region like the Sahel, where music is a foundational component of the cultural heritage and modern communication channels, ethnomusicology becomes a valuable tool with which to build situational awareness and enhance engagement with the population. This thesis draws from ethnomusicology research theory, intergroup psychology principles, and network convergence and communications theory to create a framework for regional security studies in order to better understand intergroup dynamics in the Sahel, and works as a tool to map networks in the region. Using Mali as a case study, it recommends the application of ethnomusicological analysis to identify and address legitimate grievances within the population that provide exploitable leverage points for regional bad actors. Further, it suggests using the existing peer-to-peer cell phone music sharing network in the Sahel to identify convergence nodes to target illicit networks in the region."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Wenthe, Mathew C.
2016-12
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Missing the Mark: Is ICS Training Achieving Its Goal?
From the thesis abstract: "The Incident Command System (ICS) was originally adopted in the 1970s as a fire service emergency management system. Following the events on September 11, 2001, the National Response Plan adopted ICS across all hazards and disciplines in order to unite responders under the same management system during emergencies. However, creating one system to service so many disparate agencies and response types was a massive undertaking, and the system's effectiveness has since been questioned. To operate in ICS, responders must engage in the adult learning process, which requires social interaction with an engaged instructor and active peers. Before the system can be judged properly, we must ensure personnel have been trained and are implementing the system adequately. This thesis examines the adult learning process and the keys to ensuring that learning and behavior change actually occur. It further examines ICS courses' current online delivery system and recommends evaluating this system to engage the social learning required for successful cultural change. The thesis also critiques the ICS training measurement method and recommends changes to better measure system learning and utilization."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Seibel, Eric J.
2016-12
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Increasing Road Infrastructure Capacity Through the Use of Autonomous Vehicles
From the thesis abstract: "Roadway infrastructure is a critical component to U.S. homeland security. Overland transportation affects the national economy, emergency services, defense, and communication systems. This thesis illustrates the capacity increases to roadways enabled by autonomous vehicle technology. Public policy can enhance the adoption rate of autonomous vehicles to maximize the benefit of this emergent technology on the roadway system. A policy analysis provides a comparison of options and outlines regulations that will be needed to ensure the safe adoption of autonomous vehicle technology nationally."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Simko, Donald John
2016-12
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Organizational Identity: Positioning the Coast Guard for Future Success in an Evolving Environment
From the thesis abstract: "The Coast Guard is an organization entrusted with significant responsibilities in the maritime environment. Concerns about large numbers of aging assets scheduled to reach the end of their design service life has prompted the Coast Guard to initiate the replacement and modernization of its offshore maritime and aviation fleet. Due to an initial lack of acquisition expertise and less than adequate funding, the Coast Guard has been faced with making tradeoffs. The primary goal of this thesis is to determine how the Coast Guard's organizational identity and strategic vision have impacted its ability to obtain necessary capabilities to satisfy mission requirements. This research also explores the Coast Guard's social identity and the organization's current performance measures. This research employed historical analysis, social network analysis, program analysis, and social identity theory methods. This research concludes is that changing patronage lines and in-group characterization may have negatively impacted the Coast Guard's ability to satisfy mission requirements. This thesis recommends that the Coast Guard reevaluate performance measurements that do not directly translate to the overarching strategic goals of the organization or of the Department of Homeland Security. Communication resources should focus on key figures associated with the budgetary and acquisitions processes."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Burnham, Melanie A.
2016-12
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Protection, Profit, or Privacy: Exploring Strategic Solutions for Integrating Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and the Delicate Balance Between Commercial Opportunity and Public Safety
From the thesis abstract: "Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and their meteoric rise in popularity among hobbyists and commercial users have created a sense of urgency among lawmakers to develop a strategic policy to facilitate domestic UAS integration into the national airspace. Local municipalities and state agencies are initiating legislative efforts to develop 'best practices,' ordinances, and policies in the absence of a structured legal framework for UAS expansion. The city of Phoenix is among those seeking solutions to the question of how the city and police department can develop and implement a strategic guidance policy governing UAS integration to best serve the interests of government and community. This research effort utilizes the five-step process contained within the multi-goal policy analysis research design method. This process is ideal for conducting policy analysis in which there are multiple policy outcomes or when these outcomes cannot be comparatively quantified equally. This academic effort constructs the identified alternative outcome solution within a specified problem segment to present a solution compliant with industry standards and directed toward the intelligent nonspecialist end user. The product deliverable results in a strategic policy guidance strategy that is transparent and falls within an accountability framework."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Lee, Brian R.
2016-12
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Recycled Bricks: Exploring Opportunities to Reintegrate Returning American Foreign Fighters Using Existing Models
From the thesis abstract: "Foreign fighters have been engaged in conflicts for hundreds of years, but the sheer number of foreign fighters who travel to Iraq and Syria during the last five years is unprecedented. The United States is not sure what to do with American ex-foreign fighters who leave their group and want to return to the States and peacefully reintegrate back into society, since currently there is no reintegration program for ex-foreign fighters. This thesis explores how the United States can develop an ex-foreign fighter reintegration strategy using existing, analogous models. This study identifies two groups that possess similar characteristics to foreign fighters: U.S. street gangs and the U.S. military. Utilizing the conceptual frameworks of street gangs and the military, the conceptual life-cycle of foreign fighters is detailed to ascertain the practicality of developing a foreign-fighter reintegration program utilizing the existing reintegration programs of street gangs and the military. Based on the findings that foreign fighters, street gang members, and formerly deployed service members are very similar, I recommend the development of a multidisciplinary reintegration program for retuning [sic] ex-foreign fighters using specific aspects of each previously referenced reintegration program."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Scott, Edward Francis, III
2016-12
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Moral Hazard: How the National Flood Insurance Program is Limiting Risk Reduction
From the thesis abstract: "Moral hazard occurs when people do not assume the full risk of an action or decision; they are not inclined to make a fully responsible or moral choice. Over the course of the last half-century, federal government involvement in providing disaster assistance has greatly expanded. With this expansion, many believe that in providing disaster assistance, the federal involvement limits risk reduction and contributes to the rise of a moral hazard. Flooding and flood-related hazards are the most prominent and significant hazards in the United States, accounting for the highest percentage of major disaster declarations and direct economic losses. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) aims to reduce the impact of flooding through hazard identification and risk assessment, floodplain management, and flood insurance. A study of the NFIP concludes that aspects of the program limit risk reduction, specifically the continued coverage of repetitive loss properties and use of subsidies to desensitize risk. Furthermore, the long-term sustainment and resilience of the program are compromised by failures of policymakers to adjust for catastrophic losses. Identification of these issues provides a framework for consideration of the unintended consequences of federal government involvement in providing disaster assistance."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Starbuck, Kevin T.
2016-12
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Integration of Behavioral Threat Management into Fusion Center Operations to Prevent Mass or Targeted Violence
From the thesis abstract: "Incidents of mass or targeted violence seem to occur without warning and lead us to conclude that nothing may be done to prevent them. These incidents may take the forms of mass shootings, stabbings, vehicular attacks, and other methods designed to kill or injure many people. Opportunities to detect and interdict potential attackers may exist. The literature identifies a host of warning behaviors that may be useful in detecting and disrupting acts of violence. This thesis examines the opportunities available to the nation's 78 fusion centers to help prevent mass or targeted violence by learning to conduct behavioral threat assessments and management activities. Analysis of four police agencies that conduct behavioral threat assessments is conducted. Also, the National Network of Fusion Centers is explored to determine whether behavioral threat assessment and management may be a good tool to incorporate into current violence prevention efforts. It was found that fusion centers already perform basic behavioral analysis through the vetting of suspicious activity reports as part of the Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative. Preventive efforts may be more successful should principles of behavioral threat assessment and management be incorporated into fusion center operations."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Marks, W. Payne
2016-12
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Policy Safeguards and the Legitimacy of Highway Interdiction
From the thesis abstract: "The strategy of highway interdiction was created to counter the negative consequences of drug trafficking organizations using highways to distribute contraband. Although there have been tangible results, the strategy has also resulted in the unintended consequences of racial profiling and illegal searches. This thesis addresses whether policy safeguards could help minimize improper practices of personnel conducting highway interdiction operations. This project convened a series of focus groups consisting of 11 state police organizations that provided information on policy safeguards and their purposes. This thesis examines seven major categories of policy safeguards to determine the level of implementation by the state police organizations. In addition, this thesis includes a comparative analysis of the implementation of policy safeguards and the number of personnel complaints filed to determine whether there is any correlation. Although the findings are not conclusive, the analysis identified potential benefits of implementing policy safeguards."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Hood, Kevin M.
2016-12
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Volunteer Flying Organizations: Law Enforcement's Untapped Resource
From the thesis abstract: "Given the fiscal constraints of today's law enforcement environment, many local police and sheriff agencies are unable to fully implement an aviation division due to the inherent costs to operate aircraft and pay professional law enforcement pilots. To cope with the extreme costs, some smaller police forces around the country have relied on the help of volunteer civilian pilots to augment law enforcement based aviation operations. This thesis uses recommendations of the Public Safety Aviation Accreditation Commission (PSAAC) to provide a foundational understanding on the critical aspects of running a law enforcement aviation division. By using PSAAC as the foundation, this thesis compares the aviation divisions of the following agencies: California Highway Patrol (CHP), Monterey County Aero Squadron (MCAS), and Lane County Sheriff's Office (LCSO). Comparing the all-volunteer divisions of MCAS and LCSO to the professional force of CHP yielded a list of best practices for the law enforcement aviation community."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Laird, Christopher R.
2016-12
