www.APGNews.com THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2017 Vol. 61, No. 13

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APG History | B5 Crossword | B5 Did You Know? | B7 Classified | B6index

What is it?The Army Ideas for Innovation(AI2) program replaces theArmy Suggestion Program(ASP) that was suspended in2013. It is a venue for ArmySoldiers, Army Civilians, andcontractors to share innovativeideas and creative solutionsthat positively affect the Armythrough cost savings,increased productivity, andprocess improvement.

What has the Armydone?The Army Business Strategy,2017-2021 allows for thecommunication of innovativeideas directly to Army seniorleaders... The program is opento anyone with a commonaccess card (CAC) and isaccessible on milSuite.

What continuedefforts are plannedfor the future?Anyone with an idea abouthow the Army can improve theAI2 program should submit hisor her idea to the program.Periodic and iterative updateswill be made to improve theeffectiveness of the program.

Why is this importantto the Army?AI2 is a collaborativeweb-based innovative programthat simplifies the process ofbringing innovative ideas tothe attention of Army seniorleadership. The programaddresses the challenges ofthe 21st century securityenvironment and the readinesschallenges it poses forAmerica's the Army.

newsbrief

ARMY IDEAS

FOR

INNOVATION

PROGRAM

Army Office of BusinessTransformation

SCIENCE

ARL Engineer Dr. ShawnWalsh speaks aboutprotective head gearimprovements during theNMTC Science Café at theBel Air Library.ARL | B2

SOLDIERS

A lighter combat helmet,developed by PEO Soldier,has been contracted forproduction.HELMET | B3

NATICK

The Natick SoldierResearch Development andEngineering Center“Bootstrap” initiativeencourages out-of-the-boxthinking.BOOTSTRAP | B4

inside

The U.S. Army Research Laboratory hostedits Program Formulation Meeting March20-23 at the Mallette Training Facility atAberdeenProvingGround,Maryland, inhopesof building bridges with stakeholders andgathering feedback to influence the future ofArmy research.

Acting ARL Director Dr. Philip Percontibriefed the nine Essential Research Areas thatthe laboratory must address to support theArmy of 2050. The areas, which covered abroad spectrum of future technology chal-lenges, included Human Agent Teaming;Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning;Cyber and Electromagnetic Technologies forComplex Environments; Distributed and Co-operative Engagement in Contested Environ-

ments; Tactical Unit Energy Independence;Manipulating Physics of Failure for RobustPerformance of Materials; Science for Manu-facturing at the Point of Need; AcceleratedLearning for a Ready and Responsive Force;andDiscovery.

“I don’t think anyof these topics should be asurprise to anyone really,” Perconti said.“When you think about the complexity of the

Acting Army Research Laboratory Director Dr. Philip Perconti briefs the nine Essential Research Areas that he said the laboratory must address tosupport the Army of 2050 during the organization’s annual Program Formulation Meeting March 20 at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.

PHOTO BY JHI SCOTT, ARL

Army laboratory shapesfuture research

By DavidMcNallyARL

See RESEARCH, page B7

Windows of opportunity are plentiful forSoldiers andDepartment of Defense civiliansseeking a clearer understanding of the EqualOpportunity, or EO, program at AberdeenProving Ground.

This commitment is largely due to APGleadership efforts to ensure members of theCommand, Control, Communications, Com-puters, Intelligence, Surveillance and Recon-naissance, or C4ISR, community of the U.S.Army Communications-Electronics Com-mand, known as CECOM, have access tothose resources and solutions that effectivelyguard against and prohibit discrimination.

The recent arrival of Installation EqualOpportunity Program Manager, Sgt. 1st ClassAnthony C. Toolin is one example of thecommand’s ongoing efforts to provide thetalent and expertise needed to maintain aviable and effective EO program that maxi-mizes human potential and ensures fairtreatment for all persons.

According to Tracy Marshall, SexualHarassment/Assault Response and Preven-tion, or SHARP, program manager, Toolinwill be a tremendous asset to the program.

“The skills and expertise that he brings tothe C4ISR community will ensure that ourEO and SHARP efforts are not only up todate, but are clearly alignedwith DOD policyand our Army Core Values,” saidMarshall.

In advance of Toolin’s arrival, Marshallwas instrumental in ensuring EO serviceswere not interrupted or impeded.

“Prior to Sgt. 1st Class Toolin’s arrival, Iwore both hats, overseeing my duties as theInstallation SHARP Program Manager, andthat of Equal Opportunity Program Man-ager,” she said. “The challengeswere there, ofcourse. However, a large degree of thanksrightfully goes to Sgt. 1st Class April L.Marinakes, Equal Opportunity manager, 20th

CBRNE Command, who stepped in andassumed oversight of the installation EOprogram manager duties. Serving as theSenior Equal Opportunity Advisor for the

EO programmanager adds to SHARPByMary B. GrimesCECOM Public Affairs

Sgt. 1st Class Anthony C. Toolin, the new CE-COM-APG Installation Equal Opportunityprogram manager is eager and ready to servethe C4ISR community.

U.S. ARMY PHOTO

See SHARP, page B7

‘Third arm’ may lessen Soldier’s burden, increase lethality

The U.S. Army Research Laboratory isdeveloping a “third arm” passive mechan-ical appendage that could lessen Soldierburden and increase lethality. Weighingless than 4 pounds, the device attaches toSoldier’s protective vest and holds theirweapon, putting less weight on their armsand freeing up their hands to do othertasks.

The goal of the third arm device is toredirect all of a weapon’s weight to thebody, making it easier for the Soldier tocarry a more lethal firearm.

The passive mechanical appendage,which is made out of carbon fiber com-posite, can be used in the prone positionand on either side of the body.

COURTESY PHOTO

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