MIU, Partner Organizations Exercise Advanced Manufacturing Techniques at Trident Warrior 25.
At Exercise Trident Warrior 25, the Marine Innovation Unit partnered with NPS’ Consortium for Advanced Manufacturing Research and Education (CAMRE) to demonstrate how distributed manufacturing can close critical logistics gaps in contested environments.
• Over two weeks, Marines fielded more than 180 part requests, from aircraft canopy brackets to shipboard valves, proving how additive manufacturing can deliver parts on demand when traditional supply lines fall short.
• The collaboration showcased CAMRE’s ability to integrate advanced manufacturing with Fleet needs, connecting NPS faculty, students, and industry partners directly to operational challenges.
• The exercise validated new systems like the Joint Advanced Manufacturing System (JAMS), designed by MIU, to manage requests and production in real time.
By leveraging NPS expertise and partnerships, Trident Warrior 25 marked the Department of Defense’s largest advanced manufacturing event to date, moving a step closer to resilient, distributed logistics for the Joint Force. Read more.
NPS Classmates Reunite at NAVFAC Ceremony
The recent Naval Facilities Engineering Command change of command ceremony provided the backdrop for a reunion of sorts for two ‘plank-owning’ Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) graduates. U.S. Navy Adm. James Kilby, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, and retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Carl Deputy were part of the first graduating class from the institution’s new – in 1993 – curriculum in information technology management (ITM). Deputy notes the class cruise book for their graduating class, aptly predicted Kilby was the graduate most likely to make Admiral, with Deputy voted most studious. Read more.
NPS Defense Management Degrees Achieve Prestigious STEM Designations
The Department of Defense Management at NPS has earned STEM designation for nine master’s programs in Military Technologies and Applied Sciences, Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, and Management Science. The designation formally recognizes the programs’ rigorous technical and analytical content, signaling to students and sponsors that graduates possess the advanced analytical capabilities essential for tackling difficult challenges in technology-driven environments. Read more.
First Autonomous UNREP with Advanced Manufactured Parts
This was a big win for all involved, as CAMRE at NPS celebrated the first autonomous underway replenishment (UNREP) using a support vessel packed with advanced manufactured parts. The effort reflects ongoing work to operationalize advanced manufacturing for the Joint Staff, while accelerating enablers like autonomous logistics and an AI-powered AM command-and-control platform in development with Overmatch, Inc. and the Marine Innovation Unit. Read more.
The Last Telemetry of FLTSATCOM
For more than 30 years, NPS students commanded the Fleet Satellite Communications System (FLTSATCOM). On Aug. 28, during a class with Distinguished Professor Brij Agrawal, faculty member Leonardo Herrera and guest lecturer Fred Kuipers, the satellite sent its final signals before going silent as building renovations closed its longtime lab. Read more.
MORS Stephen A. Tisdale Graduate Research Award
U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Timothy C. Horton received NPS’ Military Operations Research Society Stephen A. Tisdale Graduate Research Award for the Summer quarter. Operations research chair David Alderson said Horton’s thesis on the Mission Dependency Index will improve the prioritized spending of billions of dollars annually on naval installation infrastructure. Read more.
“Transformation never ends”: Applying lessons from the Marine Corps to AI adoption
Randy Pugh, USMC (Ret.), lead of the Naval Postgraduate School AI Task Force, said the Marine Corps’ mission-first culture offers valuable lessons for federal IT modernization. He emphasized collaboration over hierarchy and noted that successful adoption of technologies such as artificial intelligence requires strong leadership, bottom-up experimentation and a focus on workforce development. Pugh also stressed the importance of data governance, saying people and ideas must come before technology. Read more.
NASA Selects All-American 2025 Class of Astronaut Candidates
NASA introduced its newest class of astronaut candidates on Sept. 22, chosen from more than 8,000 applicants nationwide. Among the 10 selectees is U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Ben Bailey, who is completing his master’s in systems engineering at the NPS. This marks the 24th astronaut candidate class, whose members will train for two years before qualifying for future missions to the Moon and Mars. Read more.
NASA Announces CHAPEA Crew for Year-Long Mars Mission SimulationNASA has announced the crew for its upcoming year-long Mars surface simulation, CHAPEA, set to begin Oct. 19 at Johnson Space Center. Among the four-person team is U.S. Space Force Col. Ellen Ellis, MS in systems engineering '12. The mission will provide critical data on human performance in long-duration spaceflight and inform planning for future Artemis and Mars expeditions. Read more.
NPS Systems Engineering Professor Receives Navy Superior Civilian Service Award
Dr. Mark Stevens, professor in the Department of Systems Engineering, was honored Sept. 11 with the Navy’s Superior Civilian Service Award. A driving force behind NPS’s systems engineering programs for more than two decades, Stevens is remembered for his rigorous instruction and lasting impact on graduates across the fleet. Read more.
Hybrid Manufacturing Technologies Debuts AMBIT XTRUDE Polymer 3D Printing at Trident Warrior 2025
During the Navy’s Trident Warrior 2025 event, Hybrid Manufacturing Technologies showcased its new AMBIT XTRUDE system at NPS’s CAMRE. The hybrid tool enables large-scale polymer additive manufacturing combined with traditional machining, supporting advanced logistics, rapid prototyping, and operationally relevant applications for the fleet. Read more.
NPS Physics Professor Honored with Navy Superior Civilian Service Award
Dr. Joseph Blau, Department of Physics, received the Navy’s Superior Civilian Service Award upon his retirement in January 2025. A leading expert in directed energy, his decades of work in free-electron laser research advanced Navy capabilities and cemented NPS as a partner in the field. Read more.
Naval Postgraduate School students, alumni, faculty and staff are actively engaged in impactful discussions across a spectrum of critical topics, reflecting the expertise of the individuals and the institution's contributions to addressing defense and national security challenges.
Get the People Off the Boat: Unmanned Is the Essence of Autonomy
By Dr. James Wirtz, Professor, National Security Affairs Dept.
Russia’s Black Sea Failures Are Lessons for the South China Sea
Featuring U.S. Navy Lt. Roland M. Kolwitz, MA in National Security Affairs
Develop the Hybrid Fleet in Southcom
By Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, Certificate of Completion, Naval Nuclear Power School ‘11, and Cmdr. Mike Posey, Certificate of Completion, Information Systems and Operations ‘13
New Threats Demand Rapid Reconstitution of Space-Based Nuclear C3
By Joseph Labrum, MS in Strategy ’24
How Reservists Can Jumpstart Military Software Development
By Capt. Drew Hutcheon, USMC, MBA ’18, MS in Information Technology Management ’18
Featuring Earl Dean, MS in Systems Engineering Management
For head of INDOPACOM, homeland defense extends across the Pacific
Featuring Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, M Systems Analysis ’15; Certificate in Systems Analysis ’14
Turkey’s arms industry: Hype or reality?
Featuring Dr. Ryan Gingeras, Professor, National Security Affairs Dept.
Trampled at Lipulek: Nepal Caught Between India and China
By Prem Shahi, MS in Defense Analysis ’10
Webinar Recap: Non-State Special Operations With Craig Whiteside
Featuring Dr. Craig Whiteside, Professor, National Security Affairs
Colonel Mark McClellan | Garrison Commander
By Col. Mark McClellan, USA, MBA ’10
Train to Win Below the Threshold of War
By Lt. Vince Vanterpool, MS in Operations Research ‘24
Accelerate Human-Machine Teaming in the Maritime Operations Center
By Michael Posey, Cert. in Network Operations and Technology (Operations) ’13, Cert. in Artificial Intelligence for Military Use ’23
Iran’s Perilous Path Back to Power
By Afshon Ostovar, Associate Professor, Associate Chair for Research, National Security Affairs Dept
What Unifies the Foundry, Fleet, and Fighting Triad? Warfighting Focus
By CDR Paul Viscovich, USN (Ret.), MS in Financial Management '87
Ep. 71 (Part 2) – Trident Room Podcast: International Insight with Mr. Danial “Dino” Pick
Interview with U.S. Army retired Col. Danial Pick, Director of International Graduate Programs
Vice Adm. Seiko Okano, MS in Astronautical Engineering ’01, has officially taken on the role of principal military deputy, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition (ASN RDA). Okano will lead the review for reorganization of the robotic and autonomous systems push announced in the SECNAV's recent memo. Read more.
Rear Adm. John Lemmon, MS in Systems Engineering ’04, retired Aug. 22 after 37 years of service, most recently as Program Executive Officer for Tactical Aircraft Programs. He received the Distinguished Service Medal for his leadership in advancing naval aviation.
Cmdr. Lucas Scruby, MS in Defense Analysis (Irregular Warfare) ’16, took command of the Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School on Aug. 22, succeeding Cmdr. Robert LeClerc. Read more.
Rear Adm. Kavon Hakimzadeh, Cert. Naval Nuclear Power School ’13, assumed command of Norfolk Naval Shipyard on Aug. 8. During the same ceremony, Capt. Lawrence Brandon, Cert. Naval Nuclear Power School ’02, MS in Systems Engineering ’09, took command of the shipyard’s new Industrial Operations Command. Read more.
Zeke Maldonado, Executive MBA ’13, has been named Executive Director for IT Operations at the Department of Homeland Security, overseeing IT systems and infrastructure supporting more than 15,000 personnel nationwide. Read more.
Lt. Col. Daniel Meadows, MS in applied mathematics ’17; certificate in network science ’17; certificate in mathematics of secure communication ’17, retired after a 30-year career with the Delaware State Police, most recently serving as deputy superintendent. Read more.
Lt. Col. Kirk S. Marlowe, MA in security studies ’09, has been named chief transformation officer for the Virginia State Police, delaying his retirement to lead high-impact strategic projects and innovation efforts across the agency. Read more.
Capt. Richard Gilliard, MBA ’07, assumed command of U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa and Naval Medical Readiness & Training Command Okinawa on Aug. 1. Read more.
Cmdr. Michael Schelcher, MA in Security Studies (East Asia) ’12, assumed command of the USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) on Aug. 7 during a ceremony in Rota, Spain. Read more.
Cmdr. Jordan White, MS in Systems Engineering ’15, assumed command of the USS Higgins (DDG 76) on Aug. 24 during a ceremony at Naval Base Guam. Read more.
Cmdr. Blake Wanier, MS in Operations Research ’14, assumed command of the USS Tulsa (LCS 16) Gold Crew on Aug. 22 in San Diego, relieving Cmdr. Sam Moffett, MA in Security Studies (Western Hemisphere) ’12. Read more.
Capt. Daniel Hemminger, MS in Mechanical Engineering ’05, assumed command of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center in Norfolk on Sept. 3. Read more.
Col. Ellen Ellis, MS Systems Engineering ’12, Space Force, will serve as medical officer on NASA’s year-long CHAPEA Mars mission simulation starting Oct. 19 at Johnson Space Center. Read more.
Ryan Burchnell, MA Security Studies (Homeland Security and Defense) ’08, has been appointed CEO of Emergency Technical Decon and Emergent, where he will lead strategy and growth in public safety technology and decontamination solutions. Read more.
Dave Schroeder, Space Systems Certificate ’13, was named Director of National Security Initiatives at UW–Madison, where he will lead federal partnerships and national security research initiatives. Read more.
Gen. Timothy D. Haugh, MS in Information Operations ’05, former commander of U.S. Cyber Command and director of the NSA, has joined Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service as a Distinguished Fellow in Residence. Read more.
Vice Adm. (Ret.) Mat Winter, MS in Computer Science ’95, was appointed to the Advisory Board of Seekr Technologies, an AI company focused on secure and explainable solutions for government and industry. Read more.
• CNO Caudle’s First ‘C-Note’ to the Fleet
• SECNAV Phelan orders major shakeup in Navy’s robotic, autonomous systems enterprise
• DoD R&E chief says Pentagon will trim ‘critical technology’ list
• Pentagon stands up new task force to coordinate anti-drone efforts
• Drones, AI and robotics challenge order of Top 100 defense firms
• The big threat left out of Xi’s parade: China’s weaponized AI startups
• How the Marine Corps is moving to upskill its workforce on AI
• Newport’s Michael Cadenazzi Confirmed as Assistant Secretary of Defense
• The Pentagon’s new startup focus is pushing established companies to try new strategies
• Army swears in new acquisition leader Brent Ingraham
• How the rapid pace of AI connects to China’s threats toward Taiwan
