Organizational Unit:
Graduate School of Defense Management (GSDM)

Date Established

2019

Date Dissolved

2022

Description

The Graduate School of Defense Management (GSDM) at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) offers world-class education programs and professional development opportunities in defense management and public policy to U.S. and allied military officers, defense civilians and defense contractors. Our academic and research programs promote national security and support the DON/DOD by developing intellectual leadership in a broad range of topics in defense management.

Type

School

Website of the organization

https://nps.edu/web/ddm

Full item page

Publication Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 297

IMPLEMENTING POST-PANDEMIC, MAXIMIZED TELEWORK INITIATIVES WITHIN THE USTRANSCOM ACQUISITION DIRECTORATE
(Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2021-06) Lyman, Shanda L.; Poree, Kelley; DeArmond, Jesika, USTRANSCOM-AQ; Human Systems Integration (HSI) Certificate Program; Graduate School of Defense Management (GSDM)
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for maximized telework throughout the world, and this trend continues to evolve as the new standard. Due to system limitations, varying degrees of experience, and less than adequate supervision capabilities, this new normal has been met with some resistance; however, there has also been an overwhelming success in United States Transportation Command Acquisition Directorate’s (USTRANSCOM-AQ) ability to execute their contracting mission while teleworking. The current telework environment was implemented swiftly for safety reasons. After the pandemic, the world will see many lasting historical effects of this time, one being telework as a “new business practice” normal. Private industry will likely eliminate office space, thus reducing overhead, and move toward permanent telework. For the USTRANSCOM-AQ Directorate to recruit and retain the most talented contracting professionals, they will need to offer this benefit to compete with private industry. This analysis examines the current satisfaction rate of teleworking within USTRANSCOM-AQ and what additional policy elements, such as motivation and empowerment, IT resources and collaboration tools, and training, are needed to fully implement maximized telework initiatives post-pandemic.
An Analysis of Repairable Items Lead Times at USMC Wholesale ICP
(Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2021-11-19) Ferrer, Geraldo; Huang, Jefferson; Hauser, Margaret M.; Naval Research Program (NRP); Graduate School of Defense Management (GSDM)
The study will identify the lead time segments/sub-segments in the six key attainment channels utilized by Marine Corps Wholesale ICP to identify their relative influences on stock levels via an analysis the relation between lead time and inventory cost. Ultimately, this will determine how stock levels change with lead times. With this information, it will be possible to assign responsibility to those lead time segments and to plan future efforts to target lead times for reduction that have the most significant influence on stock levels.
SUCCESSFUL PRACTICES FOR EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS
(Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2020-03) Small, Laura C.; Aten, Kathryn J.; Tick, Simona L.; Graduate School of Defense Management (GSDM)
Stemming from the Chief of Naval Personnel's Sailor 2025 initiatives, the Performance Evaluation Transformation-Talent Management (PET-TM) program is tasked with improving and modernizing the Navy's current performance evaluation system. In support of these initiatives, this thesis conducts a case analysis of the current Navy performance evaluation system to highlight its main shortcomings. In addition, this thesis performs a review of scholarly and industry literature to identify successful practices of employee performance evaluation systems. Finally, based on the findings from the review of scholarly and industry literature, this thesis makes recommendations the Navy might consider to improve its current performance evaluation system.
Maneuver Warfare for the Mind, Educating for thinking and judgment
(Marine Corps Association, 2021-06) Barrett, Sean F.X.; Augier, Mie; Wilson, G.I.; Wyly, Michael D.; Naval Warfare Studies Institute (NWSI); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Graduate School of Defense Management (GSDM)
In a recent article, we noted that MCDP 7, Learning is a useful starting point for explaining why learning is so important to the profession of arms and is a necessary first step to combatting some remnants of anti-intellectualism in the Corps’ ranks.3 That was its key purpose, and it successfully began what we hope will be a lasting conversation and broader movement that embraces learning and thinking in the Marine Corps and perhaps even inspires other organizations to start similar initiatives. MCPD 7, however, did not set out to address some fundamental aspects relating to the how that are necessary for improving our learning and thinking capabilities, progressing beyond an industrial era mindset, and preparing ourselves for great power competition.
ANALYSIS OF CONTRACTING FRAUD INCIDENTS IN THE U.S. ARMY
(Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2019-12) Marshall, Jonathan E.; Rendon, Rene G.; Rendon, Juanita M.; Graduate School of Defense Management (GSDM)
The U.S. Army executes thousands of contract actions, spending hundreds of millions of dollars every year. Cases like the U.S. Navy’s investigation of Glenn Defense Marine Asia make headlines due to their depth and breadth, but are far from the only fraud incidents that occur in the Department of Defense. The funding amounts, wide varieties of goods and services, and numerous locations around the world make identifying trends critical to preventing contracting fraud in the U.S. Army. This research analyzed U.S. Army contracting fraud incidents using the contract management and internal control frameworks, while applying auditability theory. Contracting fraud incidents were analyzed to determine which fraud scheme was used, during which contract management life-cycle phase the fraud occurred, and the internal control component that failed to allow the fraud to happen. The findings were that fraud is found in every phase of the contract management life-cycle; ethical deficiencies were the most prevalent internal control deficiency, and collusion was the most common fraud scheme. Overseas locations, civilian employees, and the use of sub-contractors were found in many incidents.
ANALYSIS OF NGB ENTERPRISE CONTRACT MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES
(Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2021-09) Powell, Richard W., II; Rendon, Rene G.; Campbell, Christine, National Guard Bureau NY-USPFO; Human Systems Integration (HSI) Certificate Program; Human Systems Integration (HSI) Certificate Program; Graduate School of Defense Management (GSDM)
The purpose of this research is to conduct an individual competency assessment of the Army National Guard's contract management knowledge and evaluate the individual competencies of the Army National Guard's contract officers and contract specialists (1102s). This research evaluates individual competencies throughout all phases of the contract life cycle. In addition to the assessment of individual competencies, this research will also evaluate the individual competencies of the buyer (government) and seller (industry). The National Contract Management Association's (NCMA) Contract Management Body of Knowledge (CMBOK) Contract Management Standard (CMS) and the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) are the evaluation criteria for individual competencies. This research analyzes which life cycle phases are more and less proficient from both a buyer's and seller's perspective. The U.S. Army NGB contracting workforce rates between "Intermediate" and "Advanced" as it rates low in Pre Award and high in Award and Post Award in regards to their proficiency in the CMS buyer competencies. The U.S. Army NGB contracting workforce rates with the "Basic" level of knowledge of CMS seller competency. In order to improve to "Intermediate" knowledge of these competencies, the contracting workforce will have to understand seller competencies in difficult situations with little to no guidance.
FIGHT SMARTER, NOT HARDER: MCDP-7 – REINVIGORATING THE PHILOSOPHY OF MANEUVER WARFARE THROUGH LEARNING
(Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2021-09) Lester, Jordan T.; Powley, Edward H., IV; Augier, Mie-Sophia E.; Graduate School of Defense Management (GSDM)
This thesis will be qualitative in nature, utilizing published literature, scholarly writings, congressional testimonies, academic journals, previous theses, and public records. The literature review will take a look at relevant works in providing an understanding of selected themes from Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication 7, Learning (MCDP-7) on "why" learning is critically important to the profession of arms, and to address certain methods for "how" the Marine Corps can improve a Marine's learning and thinking capabilities. The goal of my review is to provide an understanding of how the Marine Corps can improve its ability to better understand its current complex environment, enhance its ability to quickly recognize changing conditions, increase its adaptability, and improve its ability to outthink adversaries by making learning an organizational priority. This thesis will review and cover selected themes in MCDP-7 with relevant academic literature and extend further steps for implementing MCDP-7. The increasing uncertainty in our strategic environment, as well as the internal complex problems we are encountering today as a nation, makes it critically important that our institution focuses on the warfighter's learning, thinking, and education
CONTINUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF DIVERSITY ON RETENTION
(Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2021-06) Wu, Wei Y.; Tick, Simona L.; Eger, Robert J., III; Graduate School of Defense Management (GSDM)
Diversity and inclusion (D&I) can be a source of competitive advantage, both in the private sector and the U.S. military. Arkes et al.’s 2020 work, “The Effect of the Diversity on First-Ship Assignment on First-Term Retention Decisions,” found that increased diversity among peers and immediate supervisors can lead to higher retention. This thesis extends on prior research on retention for minority and non-minority groups in the Navy overall, and across different geographical locations, ship classes, and Navy enlisted communities. Using a large sample on first-term enlisted Sailors’ reenlistment decisions made from FY 1998 to FY 2017 in the surface warfare community, and a multivariate statistical analysis approach with a difference-in-difference design, this thesis finds that first-term black Sailors are more likely to reenlist relative to white Sailors in all ports, ship classes, and enlisted communities. However, the results show no evidence that female Sailors experience any different retention rates than their male counterparts. The findings provide a starting point for examining the culture of diversity and inclusion behaviors across the Navy to assess D&I behaviors, identify key inclusion metrics, and refine and implement D&I competencies on education and training in the fleet.
U.S. MARINE CORPS EXPEDITIONARY ADVANCED BASE OPERATIONS OPERATIONAL CONTRACT SUPPORT
(Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2020-12) Blythe, Joshua B.; Kang, Keebom; Poree, Kelley; Graduate School of Defense Management (GSDM)
Since 1775, the U.S. Marine Corps has been the U.S. premier expeditionary force in readiness and thus is capable of conducting an array of military operations in austere locations. In recent years, the U.S. Marine Corps has employed the Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) concept to host, secure, sustain, and maintain warriors and their weapons systems on a more amorphous and difficult-to-target forward-basing infrastructure. The problem is the logistics and operational contract support (OCS) requirements that will be needed to optimize EABO and sustain expeditionary advanced bases in austere locations against a pacing threat have not been identified. The purpose of this project is to develop a model that provides insight into the synchronization and optimization of estimated logistics support timelines with those of III Marine Expeditionary Force operational contract support timelines to better optimize the U.S. Marine Corps EABO concept so the warfighter receives supplies and services at—or near—the time when doctrinal days of self-sustainment are due to expire. To this avail, this project provides an abbreviated and foundational understanding of the current Marine Corps organizational structure, an understanding of the Marine Littoral Regiment concept and the notional operational phases of military operations, and a working understanding of EABO and current III Marine Expeditionary Force OCS.
A Critical Look at "Use or Lose"
(Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2020-04-13) Candreva, Philip; Acquisition Research Program (ARP); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Graduate School of Defense Management (GSDM)
Recent research approaches the “use or lose” (UorL) phenomenon in public budgeting as an economic question and have employed principal–agent models that oversimplify the situation, resulting in recommendations that would likely be unworkable in practice. This paper views UorL as a governance problem rather than an economic one. By considering the laws, administrative rules, organizational structures, and institutional norms driving UorL behavior, it paints a more complete picture of the phenomenon. The paper begins with a more refined definition of UorL, reviews the literature for empirical evidence of it, describes the governance factors that influence it, critically evaluates the solutions proposed in the literature, and then makes new recommendations to improve the governance of programs and agencies to achieve better programmatic and financial outcomes.