(U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Chablis J. Torrence) Vice Chief of Naval Operations Holds Campus Q&A By MC2 Chablis Torrence Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mark Ferguson visited NPS and addressed students, faculty and staff in the university’s King Auditorium, Feb. 12. An NPS alumnus, Ferguson shared personal experiences from his time as a student, and offered advice on career progression and the impor- tance of their studies. “The education and perspective you gain during your time here is invaluable,” Ferguson said. “Take full advantage of the opportunity you have at NPS to think about the strategic challenges and choices you’ll face in the future.” As the Navy and DOD continue the strategic pivot to the Pacific, Ferguson told the packed au- ditorium that political instability around the globe, and in regions beyond Asia like the Eastern Mediterranean, Africa and others, will keep the warfighting capabilities of the Navy at a premium. “The demand for naval forces has never been higher. As we transition out of two prolonged land wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, we are seeing increased demand from the combatant commanders for naval forces.” – Adm. Mark Ferguson “The demand for naval forces has never been higher,” Ferguson said. “As we transition out of two prolonged land wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, we are seeing increased demand from the combatant commanders for naval forces.” NPS President retired Vice Adm. Ronald A. Route, thanked Ferguson for his time and for his con- tinued support of the institution. “Adm. Mark Ferguson is a distinguished alumnus of the Naval Postgraduate School, and has been a consistent, vocal advocate of the institution and the value of our efforts to educate our students, our military’s leaders,” he said. “VCNO Ferguson dedicated a significant portion of his time here on campus to share his perspective, offer advice and to field questions directly from our commu- nity of students, faculty and staff. We thank him for including us on his trip to the West Coast.” Ferguson is the second highest-ranking officer in the Department of the Navy and is the 37th naval officer to serve as VCNO, a position that he has held since 2011. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1978 and has served with distinction for the last 35 years. p3 Southcom Commander Addresses NPS Students p4 NPS Challenges Navy Leaders to Innovate at All Levels p6 NPS, NSA Monterey Host Security Training Exercise MARCH 2014 NPS Certificate Program Preps Officers for Assignment in the Pacific Rim By Kenneth A. Stewart In response to a call to action from the Navy’s Office of Foreign outside of the Asia-Pacific Hands program to meet needs unique Language, Regional Expertise and Culture, the Naval Postgraduate to their respective mission-sets. In some instances, the certificate is School is currently funneling a select group of officers through a helping officers with regional expertise outside of Asia to change rigorous graduate certificate program in Asia-focused studies. gears and to focus upon a new part of the world. One of the leading forces behind the effort is Asia-Pacific Hands “There has been a lot of time and attention put into preparing offi- Program Director retired Navy Capt. Lee Johnson, who was instru- cers to serve in Afghanistan. We cannot afford to completely retrain mental in bringing the effort to NPS. them, but we can take advantage of the skills and expertise that they gained conducting previous regional studies and help them to build “NPS is one of the Navy’s flagship schools, they have really taken an upon those skills,” said Wirtz. interest in our officers,” said Johnson. “Our shared interest in Asia regional studies is being brought about due to the Navy’s rebalance Air Force Capts. Erick Clayson and Mike Nishimura along with toward the Pacific. We are going to need regional expertise and edu- Navy Lt. Joe Lemanek are studying Asia’s political economy under cation to make that adjustment successful.” NPS Assistant Professor Sophal Ear. Ear is helping them to under- stand the inter-related economies of Asia and how those economies affect U.S. policy and the policy posi- tions of U.S. allies and other regional powers. “China’s return, as opposed to rise, to its proportion- al place in the global economy has undeniably caused our ‘pivot’ towards Asia. But what this means in Bei- jing differs markedly from Tokyo, Seoul, Bangkok, and Phnom Penh,” said Ear. “While America’s hegemonic status in terms of hard power remains undisputed, China’s GDP may surpass our GDP as soon as 2017 and learning about the po- litical economy of Asia, by examining the economic development and trajectory of countries such as Chi- na, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Cambodia, is especially important for Asia-Pacific Hands students to prepare them for what is arguably the defining ques- tion of this new century,” continued Ear. Clayson sees the investment in regional studies as a step toward the prevention of conflict — particularly Naval Postgraduate School Assistant Professor Sophal Ear discusses the political economy of Asia conflicts born of misunderstood intentions. with, from left to right, Navy Lt. Joe Lemanek, and U.S. Air Force Capts. Erich Clayson and Michael Nishimura all of which are earning graduate certificates in Asia-focused studies in preparation for “Future threats can emerge if we do not have people future deployments to the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Javier Chagoya) in these areas that understand the regions in which we are operating,” said Clayson. Johnson worked closely with NPS’ School of International Graduate Studies and Dean Dr. James Wirtz to develop the program. Asia-Pacific Hands Action Officer Lt. Chelsey Zwicker agrees. She believes that regional studies at NPS will help naval officers to give “There are tremendous educational resources available here at NPS their respective commanders the advice necessary to make good de- that can meet the Navy’s ‘just-in-time’ education needs, for both of- cisions while operating throughout Asia. ficers and enlisted personnel, at a very minimal cost,” said Wirtz. “We can make a difference in the ability of our service members to “Our aim is to support the decision makers by giving them staff hit the ground running in positions that require regional expertise.” members who have the regional knowledge necessary to help them make informed plans and decisions,” said Zwicker. “We are working The certificate program is also being leveraged by organizations to give them an extra edge and to build regional proficiency.” “Update NPS” is a monthly publication for students, faculty and staff of the Naval Postgraduate School produced by the Public Affairs Office. For additional copies, comments, or to suggest story ideas, contact the editorial staff at [email protected]. Southcom Commander Addresses NPS Students FACULTY By Kenneth A. Stewart news & notes Marine Corps Gen. John F. Kelly, head of the and democracy memo,’ but most of them United States Southern Command (South- got it and they understand that open bor- The national 2013 Institute com), spoke to a packed house of Naval ders and open economies are better for their for Operations Research and Postgraduate School students, faculty and people,” said Kelly. Management Sciences (IN- staff in NPS’ King Auditorium, Feb. 19. FORMS) United Parcel Service Kelly’s comments on everything from nar- George D. Smith Prize award Kelly is no stranger to the Navy’s graduate co-terrorism to transnational crime and was presented to members of NPS’ university, as Southcom has partnered with economics were described by attendees as Operations Research Department NPS on several high-visibility initiatives “surprisingly candid.” He also spoke about for excellence in the development of including efforts to launch nano-satellites, the damage done to Latin American coun- Operations Research practitioners at deploy undersea sensors and employ NPS tries by the corrupting influence of the drug a ceremony in Glasgow Hall, Feb, 27. developed, advanced intelligence method- trade — a trade that, according to Kelly, ex- ologies to disrupt transnational criminal ists to feed the U.S.’ seemingly endless appe- The award was presented to OR organizations. tite for illicit narcotics. Department Chair, Dr. Rob Dell and associated students and faculty “Schools like NPS are invaluable to our abil- “We have destroyed governmental institu- by former INFORMS President Dr. ity [to conduct operations in Latin Ameri- tions through the corruption caused by our Anne Robinson. ca],” said Kelly. “The fact that we can ask drug consumption,” said Kelly. NPS to look at something specific, be it GSBPP Associate Professor of Eco- drugs, economics or other areas of interest Referring to the cartels that monopolize the nomics David R. Henderson has that are beyond the scope of my staff’s ex- Latin American drug trade, Kelly noted that, completed a dizzying round of pertise, is very important.” “These transnational criminal organizations speaking engagements at several have no conscience, no limits and no mor- prestigious institutions in both the Kelly spoke at length about the South- als … It’s not just drugs, it’s is lumber, gold U.S. and Canada. Henderson spoke com area of operations — an enormous mining, human trafficking and virtual slavery. to some 250 students at a Fraser In- geographic region encompassing Central stitute forum in Vancouver, Canada America (south of Mexico), South America “The cartels are diversified and are composed on “A Humane Economist’s Case for and the Caribbean. of sophisticated international businessmen,” Drug Legalization and to military he continued. “Their distribution networks officers from 44 countries during a “Latin America is an amazing place, there are so efficient that they would embarrass Fe- Naval War College sponsored event are a few countries that didn’t get the ‘peace dEx.