Download - Dean’s Weekly Significant Activities Report Weekly Activity...Dean’s Weekly Significant Activities Report are further staffed in a report to the Superintendent. POC for the report

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Dean’s Weekly Significant Activities Report

9 October 2013

The Dean’s Weekly Significant Activities Report is an internal report on all activities

conducted within the Departments, Centers & Staff. The Report is provided to the Dean

for situation awareness, throughout the organization for shared situation awareness,

and to select external organizations for outreach and communication. Portions of the

Dean’s Weekly Significant Activities Report are further staffed in a report to the

Superintendent. POC for the report is MS Lesley Beckstrom at 938-5105.

Picture of the Week

AFPAK Hands Advisory Training, Ft.

Polk


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Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering

Completed Events

1. Water Security Interests Discussion. On September 23rd, several members of the West

Point faculty met to discuss a common interest in water security and conflict prediction.

Significant work is already ongoing including assessments of the Nile River Basin by the Center

for Nation Reconstruction and Capacity Development in partnership with ERDC and AIADs in

Africa jointly sponsored by the Departments of Law, History, and Geography and Environmental

Engineering. Planning is currently underway for additional water vulnerability security AIAD

opportunities in Summer 2014 which will employ the expertise of these and other departments to

address this complex issue. Because ERDC, the Department of State, and USAID also share an

interest in water security, we envision small partnerships with these organizations to support this

AIAD. Additionally, there is a clear potential for these smaller projects to grow into a larger,

inter-departmental project to develop a river basin based conflict predictive model that would

function at both the local and regional level. Such a project could synchronize the need to

develop complex, critical thinkers for the 21st century Army, the multidisciplinary intellectual

capital of the West Point faculty, and the technical expertise of ERDC to address a pressing need

in a cost effective manner. Present at the meeting were Dr. Amy Krakowka, LTC Chris

Oxendine, LTC Jeff Starke (Geography and Environmental Engineering), Dr. David Frey

(History), Robert Goldstein (Law), Dr. Bruce Keith (Systems Engineering), MAJ Berndt Spittka

(Civil and Mechanical Engineering), and LTC Steve Hart (ERDC). Follow on discussions

continue with Dr. Joe Manous of the USACE Institute for Water Resources to on areas of

common interest and mutual support. POC is LTC Steven D. Hart, ERDC Engineering Fellow

and Director of Infrastructure Studies for the Center for Innovation and Engineering at

[email protected] or 845-938-3084.

2. Civil Engineering Cadets Lend a Helping Hand. On Saturday, 28 September, 15 Civil

Engineering Cadets and Faculty from the West Point Student Chapter of the American Society of

Civil Engineers participated in a community service project at the Walter Hoving Home in

Garrison, NY. During a leaders’ recon the previous weekend, the maintenance supervisor

highlighted the need for some large, dead trees to be removed prior to the onset of winter

weather, reducing the potential for blocked service drives. Cadets analyzed where the trees

needed to fall, sometimes with only a small “landing zone” that was suitable. The Cadets then

carefully fell each tree and either cut firewood or used an industrial chipper they rented to create

mulch. The group accomplished an incredible amount of work during the day. The ladies of the

Walter Hoving Home invited the Cadets to share lunch with them and chat, expressing their

gratitude for all their effort. POC is MAJ Scott Katalenich at [email protected] or 845-

938-5425.

mailto:[email protected]



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Cadet Ryan McCadden cuts some firewood from a fallen tree.

The West Point Student Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers.\


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3. Civil & Mechanical Engineering Faculty Support the Tunnel to Towers Run. The

Department of Civil & Mechanical Engineering was well represented at the Tunnel to Towers

run in NYC on Sunday, 29 September. Deputy Department Head, COL Fred Meyer and

Associate Professor, Dr. Brock E. Barry ran at the head of the column of nearly 2,000 USMA

cadets. This 5K run retraces the footsteps that NYFD Firefighter Stephen Siller took when

attempting to respond to the 11 September 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center. When

Stephen’s vehicle got caught in traffic, he ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the World

Trade Center, carrying all of his gear, only to subsequently lose his life in the attempt to help

others. Over 30,000 individuals participated in this year’s event. POC is COL Fred Meyer,

[email protected].

4. Flight labs for ME481: The D/C&ME Flight Section conducted flight labs in the

Department’s Cessna-182 Skylane to demonstrate the relationship between aerodynamic theory

and real-world application. This lab supports the classroom instruction of the senior engineering

In this photo (l to r), the Dean's XO MAJ Lou Nemec, CME Associate Professor

Dr. Brock E. Barry, CME Deputy Department Head COL Fred Meyer and USMA

Dean of the Academic Board BG Tim Trainor at the World Trade Center

Memorial.



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course ME481 Aircraft Performance & Static Stability. In a two-hour flight based out of Stewart

International Airport, cadets collected flight data to compute the Cessna 182’s indicated vs true

airspeed correlation, estimate the aircraft’s drag, build a drag polar, measure aerodynamic

efficiency, and compute aircraft power. The Department’s fixed wing pilots MAJ Ryan Goyings

and MAJ Steve Chetcuti flew 30 cadets in 15 flights that totaled 31.5 flight hours. POC is MAJ

Ryan Goyings: [email protected].

Lab Instructor MAJ Goyings with CDTs Peter Marx and Chris Hufana

Department of History

On 12 September, the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies and the Department of History

welcomed Dr. Chuck Anderton, an Economist from the College of the Holy Cross. Dr. Anderton’s

expertise is conflict economics. His work analyzes varied conflicts such as war, arms races, and

terrorism, and by applying economic methods, shows how each can be understood as purposeful choices.

Conflict economics also assumes conflicts can be understood as wealth acquisition, which, like

production and exchange, is a fundamental economic activity. At West Point, Dr. Anderton spoke to

cadets in XH 415, Genocide and “Ethnic Cleansing” and faculty in numerous departments about studying

genocide as an incentivized process understandable through use of rational choice models.



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Dr. Anderton of College of the Holy Cross enjoying the benefits of visiting West Point during Branch

Week

Professor Sam Watson published an article, “Conquerors Peacekeepers, or Both? The U.S. Army

and West Florida, 1810-1811, a New Perspective,” in the summer issue of the Florida Historical

Quarterly.

Major Dan Horst delivered a paper to the New York Military Affairs Symposium titled “Fear &

Loathing in Tatary: Three Americans Writing on Cultural and Military Exploits in the Russian

Borderlands” on 27 September at the Soldiers’ Sailors’ and Airmen’s Club in New York City.

Major Horst explored how three American adventurers who traveled across Russian-central and east Asia

in the late 19th century helped record Russian perceptions of the United States while simultaneously

informing new Russian perspectives.


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Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering

Guest Lecture – EV450 (Environmental Engineering for Community Development). The

Center for the Study of Civil-Military Operations (CSCMO) welcomed Dr. Elizabeth Ross,

Executive Director and Founder of the Kasiisi Project, to lecture the EV450 Environmental

Engineering for Community Development Course on 17 September. Dr. Ross spoke about

“The Kasiisi Project Conservation Education Program.” Her talk focused on how

community programs addressing education, healthcare and care for the environment that are

supported by the Kasiisi Project are linked to the conservation of Kibale National Park. She

emphasized the theme of accompaniment by focusing on the different agendas, loyalties,

cultures and approaches to resources that she has witnessed throughout her 16 years as

executive director and founder. She highlighted how the biogas digesters that the USMA

Uganda AIAD Cadets help build are being used at the school and the school’s farm. The

work of the Kasiisi Project, in partnership with USMA, offered Cadets a clear understanding

of the relationship that exists between environmental issues and community development.

The POC is CPT Vladimir SotoSanchez at [email protected]

Picture: USMA Crest (upper right) displayed as one of several key supporters of the Kasiisi Project

EV481 (Water Resources Planning and Design) Guest Lecture: On September

30th, COL Paul Owen, Commander of the New York District of the Corps of Engineers, spoke



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with cadets enrolled in EV481 (Water Resources Planning and Design) about his district’s

support to navigation and coastal area management. In particular, he discussed the Corps’

immediate response to Hurricane Sandy, as well as storm recovery projects that are still ongoing.

The POC is LTC Phil Dacunto at [email protected].

JINSA External Affairs Director visits G&EnE: On September 27, Mr. Muki Zohar

and Mr. Jim Colbert spoke with Cadets about the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs

(JINSA)-sponsored summer AIAD to Israel. Jim Colbert is the External Affairs Director for

JINSA while Muki Zohar served as the tour guide in Israel for both AIADs this year. Mr. Zohar,

who is visiting the United States from Israel, updated Cadets on recent developments in the

Middle East, including the crises in Egypt and Syria. Both individuals received a tour of the

Academy and stressed the importance of continuing the annual AIAD. POC is Dr. Adam

Kalkstein at [email protected].

Picture: Mr. Jim Colbert, the External Affairs Director for JINSA, talks with Cadets

about the importance of the Israel AIAD.

G&EnE and Math Team Up for Interdisciplinary Work: On September 26, the

Department of Mathematical Sciences invited six instructors from the Department of Geography

and Environmental Engineering’s Geography Program and EV203: Physical Geography course

to observe the Population Growth lesson in MA205: Calculus II. MAJ Adam Brady (D/G&EnE),

MAJ Patrick Mugg (D/MATH), and LTC Yoshitani (D/MATH) identified population growth as

a topic addressed in both EV203 and MA205 and arranged cross-disciplinary meetings to

determine how to link the common concepts from both classes. MAJ Mugg and LTC Yoshitani

did an excellent job creating example population growth problems, both in-class and homework,




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using data and terminology from the EV203 textbook that the students will see again in EV203

later this year. The integration between these courses highlights the real world application of the

course material and its value in the development of future leaders. POC is MAJ Elizabeth

Weaver at [email protected].

THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW

On 4 October, Department of Law Assistant Professor CPT Amy McCarthy

educated those cadets of the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Regiment who are 21 years

old, on the legal repercussions of alcohol abuse. CPT McCarthy’s brief

included information on alcohol crimes under the UCMJ and examples from

the news of military officers whose careers ended due to alcohol related

incidents. Her brief was part of the battalion’s Alcohol Awareness Training

geared toward preventing future alcohol incidents.

Entries above were from last week.

Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering

CSCMO Australian Civil-Military Centre Lecture. The Center for the Study of

Civil-Military Operations (CSCMO) sponsored a lecture on the Australian Civil-Military Centre

on Friday 27 September by COL Rowan Martin, the Australian Military Advisor to the

Australian Civil-Military Centre. With over twenty-five years of experience in the Australian

Army, COL Martin assumed the role of Military Advisor to the Centre earlier this year following

a stint at the National Defense University as an International Fellow. COL Martin shared the

Centre’s structure and goals before discussing his personal experiences with civil-military

operations, specifically citing “coordination, cooperation, and coexistence” as key issues.

Though COL Martin had little experience with civil-military operations just a few years ago, he

expertly offered analysis of some of the civil-military realm’s greatest challenges: institutional

memory, interpersonal skills, and the difference between how civilian and military organizations

think and operate. The almost twenty cadets in attendance gained a greater understanding of the

importance of civil-military operations in the international environment. The POC is Mr. John

Melkon at [email protected].




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Picture: COL Rowan Martin, the Australian Military Advisor to the Australian Civil-Military Centre,

talks with Cadets.

Environmental Science Guest Lecture. Cadets enrolled in EV300 Environmental Science

(the first course in the environmental engineering 3CES) attended a lecture from Dr. Heidi Kretser of the

Wildlife Conservation Society about her current work with DoD on combating the illegal wildlife trade in

Afghanistan. The talk discussed the importance of biodiversity and conservation of wildlife and natural

resources and highlighted the threats arising from profits generated by the sale of endangered and

threatened species going to fund terrorist activities around the world. Through her work and that of others

in the Wildlife Conservation Society, DoD has been able to reduce significantly the sale of illegal wildlife

items on military bases in Afghanistan and educate Soldiers on the unintended consequences of

purchasing these items. This lecture complimented the course’s first block on ecology and a biodiversity

lab completed in a previous lesson. The Center for the Study of Civil and Military Operations (CSCMO)

graciously funded this opportunity for cadets. The POC is MAJ Robbins at [email protected].



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Picture: EV300 cadets looking at confiscated illegal wildlife trade items (in the foreground) and Dr.

Kretser answering cadet questions (in the background).

CSCMO Lecture in Severe Weather Risk. Dr. Grady Dixon, an associate professor at

Mississippi State University, gave two lectures on severe weather risk on 1 and 2 October. The

first talk was given to Cadets in EV389B (Climatology) and focused on storm chasing in the

Plains. Dr. Dixon discussed the challenges of forecasting, provided remarkable photos, and also

shared fascinating stories with the Cadets. The second talk focused on the science involved in

evaluating tornado risk across the United States. Dr. Dixon noted that the Southeast is especially

prone to strong, fast-moving tornadoes which often result in higher death tolls. In addition to the

severity of the storms themselves, the Southeast is largely forested, obstructing the view of

oncoming tornadoes. The talks were sponsored by the Center for the Study of Civil-Military

Operations (CSCMO). The POC is Dr. Adam Kalkstein at [email protected].



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Picture: Dr. Grady Dixon, an associate professor at Mississippi State University, discusses tornado risk

across the United States.

Network Science Center

For the latest information from the Network Science Center visit our blog

The Central Node: http://blog.netsciwestpoint.org/

AFPAK Hands Advisory Training, Ft. Polk

Kristine Ringler, Minerva Research Associate observed and assessed 353rd

BN, 162nd

Infantry BDE’s

Culminating Training Exercise (CTE) during an AFPAK Hands advisory course at Ft. Polk, September

22nd

– 27th. The advisory training includes all Armed Services and offers both enlisted and officer ranks

the opportunity to learn culture and language specific skills before deploying to Afghanistan. It also gives

tactical skill refreshers, as well as scenario based exercises. The CTE places the advisors in several

scenario situations that they might find themselves in while down-range. This includes Key Leader

Engagements (KLEs) and tactical situations that demonstrate what they have learned throughout the

seven-week training. Scenarios were generated and adjusted to stress their skills. It also gives advisors the

opportunity to test their problem solving techniques while guiding their Afghan and Pakistan counterpart

role-players. COL John Graham was the senior advisor on Team 3 during the CTE and is being trained to

be an AFPAK Hands military deployable advisor and Ms. Ringler has teamed up with several centers and

researchers at West Point to assist the 353rd

BN CDR on creating a framework that will test the next

rotation of advisor’s skills. This will include adjustments to the course curriculum and potential scenario

injects. POC: Kristine Ringler, [email protected].

http://blog.netsciwestpoint.org/



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Pakistan Military Meeting Scenario Team Hotwash on the LZ.

Visit by DMDC

Mr. Christopher Linoff and Mr. Bradley Morris from Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) spoke to

researchers at West Point in a lunch talk given 25 September. DMDC is the Department of Defense's

human resource information source. DMDC provides secure services and solutions to support DoD's

mission. In their talk, they provided an overview of the DMDC and discussed the large-scale data

management and analysis challenges in running a database with 35 million records, 5 million transactions

per day, 2.8 million common access cards issued per year, and 2,100 duty stations worldwide. The

purpose of this talk was to establish a research relationship between the DMDC and USMA.

Department of Mathematical Sciences

Richard Bronson, Gabriel B. Costa, and John T. Saccoman published the following book.

Linear Algebra Algorithms, Applications, and Techniques

3rd Edition


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Department of History

Colonel Ty Seidule spoke at the Margaret Corbin Forum’s monthly luncheon on 1 October. He

delivered a presentation title “A History of –isms at the USMA: A look back at integration in the

Corps and ideas for the way ahead” and then gave the mixed group of faculty and cadet attendees time to

discuss ways in which “isms,” especially sexism, operate at West Point

Department of Physics and Nuclear Engineering

Completed Events

Meeting: During 27-28 September, MAJ Pete Chapman, MAJ Pete Exline, MAJ Tyler

Jones, Dr. Paula Fekete, and CDT Austine Scales travel to Poughkeepsie, NY to attend the

American Association of Physics Teacher’s Northeastern Regional Meeting at Marist

College. They all presented at the meeting.

Workshop: On 28 September, the West Point Center for STEM Education (CSE) conducted

its annual workshop with the Upward Bound program in Chicago, Illinois. In partnership with

The University of Chicago Upward Bound Program, Cadets and faculty members hosted a

STEM workshop for urban high school students. Faculty included Dr. Tom Lainis from the

Department of Physics and Nuclear Engineering, LTC Kevin Knutti a reservist with the

Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering and the Outreach Director for STEM

Education Catherine Bale. Cadets, Simon Fraser, Jason Ko, Michael Deschene and Freddy Hill

served as near peer mentors and helped conduct the workshop activities. The students spent the

day learning about physics, bridge design, robotics and photography. In the afternoon, cadet

mentors spoke with the students about life at West Point, their dedication to service, and the

importance of STEM education.

Five students from the Chicago Upward Bound program are opening files with West Point

Admissions this year.

Director of Outreach for CSE, Cathy Bale ([email protected])



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Department of English and Philosophy

Past Events

1. Vassar Trip Section

On 26-27 September, LTC Peter Molin escorted 25 West Point cadets to Vassar College to take part in

events commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement March on Washington and to

explore issues associated with the military, race, and social change. The trip section was the latest

activity of the Mellon Foundation “Bridging the Civil-Military Divide” West Point-Vassar College

Initiative and was the most ambitious event to date. Participating in the event were cadets representing

the Art, Philosophy, and Literature major; the History major; PL377, a BS&L course on Social Inequality,

Race, Class, and Gender; the African-American Arts Forum; the National Society of Black Engineers;

and the Cultural Affairs Seminar.

COL Ty Seidule and MAJ Andy Forney of the Department of History had speaking parts in trip section

activities, while Dr. Morten Ender and MAJ Eric McCoy of BS&L, and Dr. Jason Hoppe and MAJ Karin

Gresham of DEP also traveled to Vassar to attend some or all of the events.

Formal events included attendance on 26 September at a lecture, panel discussion, and exhibition opening

of This is The Day: Leonard Freed's Photographs of the 1963 March on Washington. The lecture was

given by Professor Paul Farber of Haverford College in Pennsylvania, while the panel discussion featured

Leonard Freed's widow and two veterans of the March on Washington. The event also featured a spoken

word poetry performance by Ms. Bettina Gold Wilkerson. On 27 September cadets attended a seminar on

military and race featuring presentations by COL Seidule of D/History on the Black Power movement at


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West Point in the 1970s, Professor Maria Hoehn of Vassar College on race relations in the US Army in

Germany in the 1970s, and MAJ Forney of D/History on his summer 2013 Civil Rights Staff Ride AIAD.

Professor Farber was also present and acted as respondent at the conclusion of the seminar. Cadets also

attended classes with Vassar students, ate in the Vassar dining facility, and stayed in dorm rooms with

student-sponsors to gain appreciation for the richness and diversity of Vassar campus life.

CDTs Jake Pendleton and Sarah Locke with Professor Paul Farber, Professor Maria Hoehn, Ms. Bettina Gold

Wilkerson, and veterans of the 1963 Civil Rights Movement March on Washington.

.

Professor Maria Hoehn, COL Ty Seidule, LTC Peter Molin, and Professor Paul Farber


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2. EN302: Advanced Composition through Cultural Studies

On 25 September, MAJ Sean Case and Dr. Jessica Stock interviewed Dr. Robyn Creswell, Assistant

Professor of Comparative Literature at Brown University. In addition to serving as the poetry editor for

The Paris Review, Dr. Creswell edited and translated Sonallah Ibrahim’s That Smell and Notes from

Prison, the latest addition to EN302’s consideration of Egypt. Topics ranged from Creswell’s beginnings

with Arabic, to the impact of Ibrahim’s novel as a modernist work, to the issues involved in translating

Arabic to English. The interview, conducted over the phone, took place in the Combating Terrorism

Center’s Beukema Conference Room; cadets will engage with the interview as a podcast on the EN302

SharePoint site.

West Point cadets and Vassar College students gather

at the beginning of the exchange.

That Smell and Notes from Prison by Sonallah

Ibrahim; translated and edited by Robyn

Creswell


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3. West Point’s Defense and Strategic Studies “War Council” Series

MAJ Ian Fishback's remarks on the morality of chemical weapons at the DSS panel on Syria were

published in the on-line version of _Small Wars Journal_. The remarks can be found at the following

link:

http://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/west-point%E2%80%99s-defense-and-strategic-studies-

%E2%80%9Cwar-council%E2%80%9D-series

4. Hwarangdae International Symposium Held at the Korean Military Academy in Seoul

From 29 September to 1 October, LTC Brian Imiola attended the 17th Hwarangdae International

Symposium held at the Korean Military Academy in Seoul. The title of this year’s conference was

Leadership for Military Leaders: Theories, Applications, and New Perspectives. At the conference, LTC

Imiola presented a paper titled “Soldier, Statesmen, and Moral Agent: Emerging Just War Theory and

Educating Military Professionals”. Notable participants at the conference included the Superintendent of

the Korean Military Academy, the Vice-President of the Japanese National Defense Academy, the

Commander of King Abdulaziz Military Academy in Saudi Arabia, the Commander of the United Arab

Emirates Military College, the Commandant of Canada’s Royal Military College, the Deans of the

Turkish and Colombian Military Academies, and the Deputy Dean of Academics for the Spanish Military

Academy. During the symposium, participants also attended the Republic of Korea’s 65th Anniversary

Armed Forces Day Ceremony and visited the Republic of Korea War Museum.

LTC Brian Imiola with Major General Ko (Superintendent of the Korean Military Academy)

during the Hwarangdae International Symposium for Military Leadership (29 Sep-1 Oct,

2013).

http://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/west-point%E2%80%99s-defense-and-strategic-studies-%E2%80%9Cwar-council%E2%80%9D-series

http://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/west-point%E2%80%99s-defense-and-strategic-studies-%E2%80%9Cwar-council%E2%80%9D-series


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5. Art Appreciation Forum

Members of the Elsie Sannes-Pinnel Art Appreciation Forum, accompanied by MAJ Erin Hadlock,

visited Storm King Arts Center on 28 September. Anne Marie Schoonhoven, SKAC docent and friend of

DEP, introduced cadets to the collection's larger-than-life sculptures through history, materiality, and

perspective. While exploring this world-class facility only ten miles from West Point, cadets were able to

consider the relationship between art and meaning, and how art can be found in unusual places.

Military and Civilian leaders and scholars from Spain, Canada, the United Arab Emirates,

Japan, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Colombia, and the United States kick off the 17th

Hwarangde International Symposium at the Korean Military Academy in Seoul, South

Korea (LTC Brian Imiola is on the far right)


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6. Research Trip to the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas

Patrick Query traveled to Austin, Texas on 25 September to conduct research at the Harry Ransom Center

at the University of Texas. Dr. Query is editing a new edition of Evelyn Waugh's _A Tourist in Africa_

for Oxford UP; he studied the original manuscript of the book as well as related documents

in the HRC's Waugh archive. The trip was made possible by an award from the USMA Faculty

Development and Research Fund.

7. Philosophy Forum

On October 8th, 2013, the Philosophy Forum hosted Dr. Jordan Pascoe from Manhattan College. Dr.

Pascoe presented a view that attempts to reconcile Immanuel Kant’s view of rights with his views on

retributivism. She examined the difficult case of dueling military officers, concluding that Kant argues

for a consistent right to life, but struggles with conflicting duties of life and honor. The event was

attended by cadets and faculty from multiple academic departments. Dr. Pascoe entertained cadet

From L to R: CDTs Colin Hwang, Nick Juliano, Anna Gulbis, Jimmy Yin, Ben Lacey, Wilson Suzuki, and CIC Derrick Hall stand in front of a Louise Nevelson sculpture specifically made for

SKAC.


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questions for the last half of the meeting, but continued to engage cadet interest in her position well after

the formal meeting had adjourned.

Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership Completed Events

Follow BS&L on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/West-Point-NY/Department-of-Behavioral-

Sciences-Leadership/44253274507

Harvard Business School Professor Shares Insights about Israeli Special Forces Case Study

On 30 September, Dr. Boris Groysberg (Chapman Professor of Business Administration in the

Organizational Behavior Unit at the Harvard Business School) visited Dr. Bryant Thompson’s Human

Resource Management (MG382) class. COL Everett Spain made the visit possible. Dr. Groysberg is COL

Spain’s dissertation committee chair at the HBS. Dr. Groysberg is the author of the case study that was

Dr. Jordan Pascoe presents her paper, “Kant, Retributivism, and the (surprising) Ethics of

Dueling,” to the Cadet Philosophy Forum. The event was attended by cadets and faculty from multiple

academic departments.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/West-Point-NY/Department-of-Behavioral-Sciences-Leadership/44253274507

http://www.facebook.com/pages/West-Point-NY/Department-of-Behavioral-Sciences-Leadership/44253274507


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discussed during the class: Israeli Special Forces: Selection Strategy. Dr. Groysberg offered meaningful

reflections about the case and shared valuable insights about the selection process. Additionally, 2LT and

German Exchange Officer, Henrik Feldmann (whose father, Brigadier General Heinz Feldmann, served

as Commander of the German Special Forces) was the discussion leader. 2LT Feldmann facilitated an

informative and engaging conversation: comparing and contrasting Special Forces units across countries.

POC: Dr. Bryant Thompson, [email protected]

BM HR Executive Speaks to Human Resource Management Cadets

On 26 September, Mr. Randy MacDonald (Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Retired, IBM)

visited Dr. Bryant Thompson's Human Resource Management (MG382) class. COL Irving Smith was

instrumental in arranging the visit. Mr. MacDonald discussed the new role of Human Resources (HR) in

the evolving workplace. Mr. MacDonald’s discussion focused on the positive change from HR as an

administrative function to HR as an effective means to nurture employees. Mr. MacDonald, a Newburgh,

NY native, shared insights on leveraging technology to identify prospective employees and develop

current employees with high potential. He noted that using technology in this way gives leaders more

time to lead, instead of manage. He also introduced the idea of “treasuring wild ducks” which refers to

tolerating, and even encouraging, a degree of outside-the-box thinking and individual initiative in order to

tap latent motivation within individuals. POC: Dr. Bryant Thompson, [email protected]




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Life Cycle Human Development Children Observations

On October 7th, two sections of Life Cycle Human Development (PL373) conducted observations and

assessments of four preschool aged children, Pepper Lovelace - 2, Adelaide Erwin – 2, Eli Erwin -3 and

Liam Worthan - 4 (children of MAJ Jeff Lovelace, MAJ Mike Erwin and MAJ Shannon Worthan,

respectively). Through this interactive lesson the cadets applied several course concepts. Cadets designed

and orchestrated activities to evaluate the children across several developmental domains: cognition,

information processing and memory ability, physical and motor development, language ability, social

understanding and emotional development. The groups conducted an analysis of each child’s

development and presented their findings in class on October 9th. POC: MAJ Stephen Flanagan,

[email protected]

Left Photo. Cadets Zach Huerter, Erick Heaney, Katie Vanwye & Jasmine Hansen assess Liam’s

understanding of the principle of conservation (cognitive development)

Right Photo. Cadets observe Pepper’s grasping & coordination (fine motor skills - physical development)



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BS&L Students Participate in the Mellon Foundation West Point-Vassar Initiative

Four ARMY Sociology Firsties--CDTS Ashley Justice, Jozlyn McCaw, Karlos Febus-Traphagen, and

Hillary Rollins pose with Dr. Paul Farber (Haverford College) and Dr. Maria Hohn (Vassar College) at

Vassar College last week, The cadets were 4 of 30 taking part in a two-day “Mellon Foundation West

Point-Vassar Initiative” designed to bridge the civil-military divide. Dr. Morten Ender was one of five

OICs on the trip. POC: Dr. Morten Ender, [email protected]



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Observational Learning brought to life through 4th

Class Cadet talent in PL100

On 19 and 20 September, Cadets from General Psychology for Leaders (PL100) brought their unique

skills and talents to class to illustrate the key concepts of Albert Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory. In

particular, the cadets learned how to develop effective demonstrations that take full advantage of self-

efficacy; Attention, Retention, Reproduction and Motivation; and they learn the importance of selecting a

model and model influence. Cadet-guided skills taught in class included how to do the Waltz, a unique

handshake, make a musical instrument using one’s hands, and how to do “The Worm” break dance, to

name a few. The cadets brought to life a concept that will enhance their ability to provide and evaluate

training in their future role as Army officers. POC: LTC Matt Clark, [email protected] , or

CPT Jacquie Jordan, [email protected]

Pictured below – Fourth class cadets share unique skills and talents as they teach the psychological

concepts of Observational Learning. Cadets from six sections of PL100 are presented below during

lessons facilitated by LTC Matt Clark and CPT Jacquie Jordan. Classes were held in Cullum Hall and the

Eisenhower Leader Development Program classroom.

Combating Terrorism Center

1. The Combating Terrorism Center was proud to host Mr. Juan Zarate (former Deputy Assistant to the

President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Counterterrorism) who delivered the annual Yearling

Class Lecture to over 1,000 cadets in Robinson auditorium on September 26th. This annual event is an

opportunity for cadets to learn more about terrorism/counterterrorism from a leading figure within the

field and serves as an introduction to the CTC’s Terrorism Minor Program to all second year students. In

his speech, Mr. Zarate focused on the importance of understanding the current enemy and the threat




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environment, citing evidence from his new book, “Treasury’s War: Understanding of the New Era in

Financial Warfare.”

2. Last month the leader of al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and his media wing referenced the

Combating Terrorism Center’s research again during a propaganda video commemorating the anniversary

of the 9/11 attacks. In the video, the terrorist group displayed four separate screen shots of two different

CTC reports on al-Qaeda. The group has been critical of the CTC’s research on numerous occasions. Last

year al-Qaeda lambasted the CTC’s “hundreds of researchers” for “aiding the infidel army” during a

similar propaganda video. The Center may not have hundreds of researchers, but it will continue to

produce rigorous and relevant research that helps cadets, practitioners, and policymakers combat

terrorism.

Download - Dean’s Weekly Significant Activities Report Weekly Activity...Dean’s Weekly Significant Activities Report are further staffed in a report to the Superintendent. POC for the report

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