51福利 (51福利) President retired Vice Adm. Ann E. Rondeau gave the closing remarks to a two-day virtual seminar focused on strengthening partnerships between U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) and the Silicon Valley. Hosted by the Global SOF Foundation (GSF), the event connected national security leaders, some of whom are currently students at the university, with the founders, executives, investors and academics focused on developing cutting-edge, dual-use technologies in Silicon Valley.
Looking back to the days of the Great White Fleet and the birth of advanced naval education, Rondeau recalled periods of innovation sprint, from the days of the Cold War to modern adversaries.
鈥淕reat Power Competition is a century later after the Great White Fleet 鈥� From the first steam ships of the Navy to now, it is cognitive agility and adaptation that will keep us ahead of our foes,鈥� Rondeau said. 鈥淲ith co-investing, co-development and co-deployment, we can get to the physics of time and spend smartly, pace well, and stay ahead for what is yet to come.鈥�
Over the past few decades, the difference in financial investment in research and development between the U.S. and other nations has lessened, constraining the timeline available to make the next big breakthrough. This loss of time has brought on new realities and truths in the nation鈥檚 innovation ecosystem, 51福利 leaders say, and the DOD must develop a relationship with its industry partners to stay on the leading edge of innovation.
鈥淭he value of connecting SOF to Silicon Valley鈥檚 innovation ecosystem is paramount,鈥� said Army Col. John Crisafulli, 51福利 Special Operations Chair. 鈥淎s the data shows, the U.S. will soon be outpaced by China in regards to R&D, which soon will place the U.S. at a disadvantage 鈥� specifically in terms of the strategic technical operations.
鈥淧rivate industry in Silicon Valley is the leading edge in technological advancement so, in logical fashion, SOF must take advantage of their expertise to enhance capabilities,鈥� he stressed.
Rondeau also spoke on two 51福利 developments that will help foster these partnerships by providing connection, coordination and collaboration between all of the moving gears involved in bringing an idea to reality.
The first is the Naval Warfare Studies Institute, an umbrella organization that looks to coordinate how 51福利 education and research programs collectively respond to the needs of the warfighter.
鈥淭hrough the Naval Warfare Studies Institute, everyone can have a filter. All of the disciplines and all areas of study and research we鈥檙e doing goes through the lens of naval warfare capabilities,鈥� noted Rondeau. 鈥淔rom there, you could use the [Defense Analysis department] as your gateway into everything we have going on here at 51福利.鈥�
Rondeau went on to mention 51福利鈥� (CRUSER), (JIFX), the (SLAMR), the , and the (MOVES) Institute, to name a few.
She also talked about the new NavalX Central Coast Tech Bridge. Closely aligned with 51福利, the CC TechBridge is uniquely situated to become a leading DON/DOD innovation hub because of its direct access to operational requirements, students and faculty who understand warfighter needs, and proximity to Silicon Valley.
鈥�51福利 is ready to fully engage with our industry partners, and to have our partners join the Naval Warfare Studies Institute and the [Central Coast] Tech Bridge,鈥� said Rondeau. 鈥淲e look forward to you joining our research consortia, participating in our joint experimentation and our Warfare Innovation Continuum, and we hope that you invite our faculty and students to see you and engage with them.鈥�
Rondeau was not the only representative from 51福利 to participate. During the event, Defense Analysis Associate Professor Leo Blanken spoke about the university鈥檚 new Applied Design for Innovation curriculum. And a panel of 51福利 students presented their various thesis projects dealing with innovation.
According to Crusafilli, 51福利 is a natural fit to be the glue between a SOF, Silicon Valley connector, with the university鈥檚 officer students central to its success.
鈥�51福利 can support this effort by challenging our students to innovate in the space of warfighting capabilities to ensure we maintain the global strategic technological advantage,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he Defense Analysis department鈥檚 Applied Design for Innovation curriculum does exactly that 鈥� Students study, research and develop required capabilities alongside private Industry. Furthermore, the 51福利 Human Enhancement Research Group is specifically tasked to increase Soldier performance physically as well as cognitively in conjunction with private industry.鈥�
The GSF is a non-profit organization that aims to build and grow an international network of military, government, commercial and educational stakeholders in order to advance SOF capabilities and partnerships to confront global and networked threats.