A Study of Human Factors, Behavior and Operational Energy - Analysis and Recommendations for the Marine Corps to Increase Its Operational Reach

January 10, 2014
ME Lecture Hall
1300

Anita Salem, M.S.

Research Professor, NPS

Abstract

The United States Marine Corps is tasked with developing a plan for efficient use of resources. By 2025, Marines will sustain C4I/life support in place and the only liquid fuel needed will be for mobility systems. Overall, there will be a 50% reduction in gallons/Marine on the battlefield. Combined with increased energy use, increased vehicle weight, increased battery use, and lower overall miles/gallon, these targeted reductions call for a multifaceted approach to energy conservation that includes a change in human behavior. Previous work by the researchers indicates that stakeholder motivations, attitudes, cognition, risk perceptions, goals, and task flow impact a sailor's willingness to conserve energy. In FY14, we will build upon our study of these human factors by studying the use of energy during Marine annual integrated training exercises (ITX). The result of our research will be a set of behavioral models and social frameworks that explains the links and interactions between the social and technical factors that drive Marine energy use. The model will help Marine leadership gain insight and develop policies that advance their goals for energy reduction and feed a deeper analysis of Marine's energy use. The model will include critical decision points, identify opportunities for energy efficiency improvements, and highlight areas where deeper analysis or modeling would be beneficial.

Biography

Anita Salem received her Master degree from the University of Washington in Human-Centered Design and Technical Communication. Anita works in industry and academia studying ways to improve stakeholder engagement and socialize new processes, policies, and technologies. Recent projects include researching the operational and social factors involved in the sharing of threat information for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, teaching stakeholder engagement strategies to the Joint Forces Command, studying the motivations and barriers for conserving energy in the US Navy, and conducting stakeholder analysis for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In addition Anita facilitates workshops in strategic communication, metrics and risk analysis, leadership, and customer strategy. Using design research methods, she helps organizations understand the human factors impacting business strategies, facilitates stakeholder engagement in organizational change, and assists organizations in aligning their business strategies with practitioner goals.

POC

Dr. Daniel A. Nussbaum
Naval Postgraduate School 
Principal, Energy Academic Group
Monterey CA 93943
Phone: 831-656-2387
Mobile: 831-324-3228
Email: dnussbaum@nps.edu