Research and the Department of Systems Engineering

Researching the Army’s Future –
Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders

RESEARCH PURPOSE

The purpose of the research program within the Department of Systems Engineering is to support cadet education and faculty development through the organization, execution and presentation of relevant Army and Department of Defense research opportunities for significant clients.

The Department of Systems Engineering research projects provide the faculty and cadets with the opportunity to investigate a wide spectrum of interdisciplinary, systemic issues and to apply many of the systems engineering, engineering management, and operations research concepts studied in the classroom to real-world problems of interest to the Army and the Department of Defense (DoD).  These projects demonstrate for both cadets and faculty the relevance and importance of systems engineering in today’s high-technology military.

RESEARCH LINK TO ACADEMY MISSION

The research program in the Department of Systems Engineering (DSE) directly addresses four specific Academy needs. 

1.  Research enriches cadet education.  Cadets learn best when they are challenged and when they are interested.  The introduction of current issues facing the military into their curriculum achieves both.  Early in their education, cadets are taught by their instructors the application of techniques to real issues and problems – issues and problems they will face upon graduation.  Through this, they gain an appreciation of the robustness of the discipline and a greater understanding of their profession.  As they progress in their education, they begin to apply these techniques to heretofore unsolved issues and problems.  This codifies their education on the techniques and instills a adaptive, problem-solving mentality in the cadets. 

2.  Research enhances professional development opportunities for Army faculty.  It is important to develop and grow as a professional officer in each assignment.  On the DSE faculty, officers conduct research on relevant projects to remain current in their operational branch or functional areas.  The research they conduct keeps them abreast of Army and DoD issues, at the forefront of their academic discipline and is returned to the classroom.  They become better officers and leaders through the knowledge they gain and impart.

3.  Research maintains strong ties between the Academy and Army/DoD agencies.  The US Military Academy and DSE is a tremendous source of highly qualified analysts for the Army and DoD.  Each faculty member holds an advanced degree in a technical discipline and has a deep understanding of the military and its issues.  Research ensures that the Academy remains a significant part of the Army and DoD and not just another source of commissioning for junior officers.

4.  Research provides for the integration of new technologies into the academic program.  As the pace of technological advances increases, the Academy’s education program must not only keep pace but must lead to ensure our graduates and junior officers are prepared for their continued service to the Army.  Research applying the most advanced technology and techniques is critical to achieving this objective. 

By being fully engaged in current Army and DoD issues, the Department of Systems Engineering and the Operations Research Center assures that systems engineering education at USMA and our faculty remain current and relevant.  The military’s return on its investment is meaningful career development experiences for officers, especially those in Functional Areas 49/51/53/57, an enhanced education program for the USMA cadets, and important investigation of vital Army and DoD problems at far less cost than would be required through civilian contracts.

There are four aspects to the research program within the Department of Systems Engineering:  The Operations Research Center of Excellence, Faculty research, Cadet Capstone research and Academic Individual Advanced Development opportunities (AIADs).  Though each aspect has its own structure and scope, they are all complimentary and together support the overall DSE research program objective.  Each is described in detail in the following sections.