The 68th MORS Symposium will be held at the US Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado on 20-22 June 2000. The Departments of Mathematical Sciences, Management, Computer Science, Economics and Geography are jointly hosting the Symposium. We would like to thank them and the faculty, staff and cadets at the Air Force Academy for their outstanding support.
Now that you have made plans to attend the 68th MORSS, you’re wondering what is on the agenda besides the Working and Composite Group Agendas. To assist you information on tutorials being offered, special sessions, demonstrations, the poster session and the social events are included in this article.
If you haven’t made your plans it is time to begin. Registration packets are out and hotels are taking reservations. Don’t forget to go to the 68th MORSS web site at http://www.mors.org to get all the latest information. The USAFA has established a web site dedicated to the 68th MORSS at http://www.usafa.af.mil/morss. On this site you will find maps of the area, directions to USAFA and the Symposium site from Denver and points south. In addition, they have included things to do at the Air Force Academy, information about the base, Colorado Springs, and (of course) information about the Symposium. POC information for the local staff and building maps can also be found there.
Keynote
General Ralph E. "Ed" Eberhart, has accepted the invitation to be the keynote speaker for the Symposium. General Eberhart is commander in chief, North American Aerospace Defense Command and US Space Command; commander, Air Force Space Command; and Department of Defense Manager for Manned Space Flight Support Operations. He has also twice been a Sponsor of MORS while Director, Directorate of Programs and Evaluation, Headquarters US Air Force and while Director, Force Structure, Resources and Assessment (J-8), Joint Staff.
Tutorials
The 68th MORSS will include a variety of outstanding tutorials organized by Bart Bennett and his team.
The Monday tutorial will be "Modeling and Simulation 101" by Charles Snead, DMSO. The tutorial will cover: an overview of M&S basics; the history of M&S, basic jargon; DoD role in M&S; DoD M&S structure; M&S functional areas; DoD M&S programs. DoD M&S Master Plan (MSMP); Common Technical Framework (CTF); representation; common services; and benefits of M&S.
Major Chris Benson of the Department of Economics and Geography at the Air Force Academy will present "Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)." The tutorial is intended to spark interest in the operations research use of GIS.
Along this same theme, Dr Yupo Chan, Professor of Operations Research, Air Force Institute of Technology, will offer "Mining Spatial Data." The tutorial shows how to extract useful geographic information in real time. This tutorial focuses on extracting
information to support such applications as facility location, where a facility can be anything from a depot/ warehouse to a military target.
Michael Crow of Boeing Phantom Works will discuss "Object-Oriented Visual Modeling using UML." with the advent of Object-Oriented design and programming, increased emphasis on Visual Modeling has resulted in an object-oriented visual modeling standard within the software community, UML (Unified Modeling Language). This tutorial shows how UML can be used within the OR context.
To provide greater insights into dealing with random or uncertain effects in modeling and analysis, four tutorials have been planned. Lt Col Glenn James from the Air Force Information Warfare Battlelab will discuss "Why No Coin Flip Is Random (!?)." This entertaining seminar explores the chaotic dynamics that hide in a linear function, and the surprising implications for random-looking discrete events.
Additionally, "Solving Complex and Uncertain Problems using Computational Experiments" will be the topic of RAND's Dr Steve Bankes' tutorial. In this talk, a rationale and framework for solving problems and crafting policy with computational experiments is described.
Dr David Mullin from the Economics Department, United States Air Force Academy will present "Experimental Economic" which demonstrates economic experiments in warfare information superiority. There will be hands-on participation conducted in computer-networked classrooms.
Dr Tom Lucas from the Operations Research Department of the Naval Postgraduate School will take "A Close Look at the Stochastic Versus Deterministic Argument for Combat Simulations: Tales of When the Average Won't Do." To help focus an all-too-often abstract debate, this tutorial considers the spectrum of arguments for and against deterministic and stochastic combat models. This will include a discussion of the types of uncertainty that is inherent in combat modeling.
Poster/Mixer
The Tuesday evening Mixer for the 68th MORSS has been planned with a 'Science Fair' atmosphere in mind. The session will consist of video presentations, displays, interactive PC demonstrations, graphics boards and author participation by the Barchi and Rist Prize winners and selected close competitors. The dynamics of analysis are advancing rapidly. There will be a cash bar and transportation will be provided back to the parking lots and hotels after the mixer. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from the best of the best and have a great time doing it.
Special Sessions
Col Ken "Crash" Konwin and his team have organized three special session periods and noon demonstrations of some of the new models and simulations currently being developed by the Department of Defense. These will include models from the services and the joint community to include JWARS, STORM, GCAM, MTWS and JCATS.
We will recognize and present the Barchi and Rist Prizes and the authors will brief their award winning papers during a dedicated special session. Each year MORS offers two prizes for outstanding papers. The Barchi prize is awarded to the best paper from the Working Groups, Composite Groups and Special Sessions during the previous Symposium. The Rist prize is awarded to the best paper submitted in response to an announcement and call for papers. This is you opportunity to hear some of the work in military operations research.
The Junior/Senior Analyst program will have two separate sessions, each on consecutive days. The first session will be on Tuesday and will be open to all to hear distinguished senior analysts discuss topics relating to this year’s theme in particular and to the world of operations research in general. After introductory remarks from each of the seniors, the balance of the period will feature a moderator-led Q&A session from the floor.
Part two on Wednesday, will be in smaller classrooms, and will be dedicated exclusively to the junior analyst. We define junior analyst as one who is relatively new to the military operations research world and will benefit from the wisdom provided by those more seasoned analysts who have "been around." There will be at least four meeting rooms separated along Service and Joint duty lines featuring mid-level experienced analysts who are familiar with the day-to-day problems and issues facing the OR community today. The sessions will feature two seniors, each of whom will address the concerns of the attendees. It is envisioned that the questions and discussions will focus on career paths within the Military OR world and other "Hot" topics important to junior analysts. It is at this second session that junior analysts will have the opportunity to meet with those more experienced analysts who are currently making significant contributions to military analysis and national security issues. We emphasize that, while all are welcome, the focus will be on the junior analyst during the Wednesday sessions. If last year was any indication, the sessions should feature no-holds-barred discussions and lively interchanges.
Continuing the recognition of those who came before us, the Society will present a heritage special session at the 68th MORSS on operations research during the Korean War. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the outbreak of that conflict. The special session will emphasize analysis in the field, supporting military units in combat. Such emphasis is particularly appropriate at this time because of the interest in providing analytic support to present operations. Military units of all services are engaged in operations throughout the globe. Analytic groups provide a variety of support services in many theaters of operation. The opportunity to listen to the experiences and contributions of analysts from the Korean War period will be an exciting and rewarding professional event.
Other Special Sessions include: Reports on the following Mini-Symposia and Workshops: Military Recruiting and Retention for the 21st Century; Joint Analysis: QDR 2001 and Beyond;
Evolving the Practice of Military Operations Analysis in DoD, and the Education and Professional Development Colloquium. There will also be a session on Combat XXI – Enhancing the Analytical Capabilities of M&S in the 21st Century and OR in Support of Current Ops.
WG/CG
Mike McGinnis and his team of Working Group and Composite Group Chairs have been hard at work to make the 68th MORS the best ever. Please keep in mind that active participation, insightful dialogue, and constructive feedback are roles that we can all play to enhance the value of attending MORSS.
Wednesday BBQ
On Wednesday night, 21 June MORS will have a fabulous Dinner at the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. Tickets for the Dinner are only $27.00 per person. Bring your cowboy hats and boots for an evening of dancing. Attire is extremely casual!
Spouse/Guest Tours
This year’s Spouse/Guest Tour promises to be a memorable two-day event. The tour starts on Tuesday with a continental breakfast then proceeds to the USAF Academy Chapel and Manitou Dwellings After lunch at the Broadmoor there is a visit to the Olympic Center and Spirit Store. Finally Spouses/Guests can adjourn to the evening mixer at Arnold Hall. On Wednesday following the continental breakfast depart by bus for the Pike’s Peak Cog Rail. Lunch will be at the Craftwood Inn, then Shopping at Manitou Springs and a drive through the Gardens of the Gods. The fare for this exceptional tour is $185 per person. This includes motor coach transportation, breakfast and lunch for both days! Don’t miss this one — get your reservations in early. As always, first come, first served! Tour is limited to the first 40 registrants. Mrs Virginia L. Wiles is this year’s Spouse/Guest Coordinator. The cut-off date is 12 May. Please call Cynthia Kee LaFreniere at 703-751-7290 with any questions.
There are many other attractions in the Colorado Springs area. Summertime in Colorado — highs in the 80s, nighttime lows in the 50s! You will immediately understand the emotion behind America the Beautiful. For more information on things to do while you’re here, check out: http://www.colorado-springs.com/.
Golf Scramble
There will be a golf scramble on Friday morning, 23 June. It will start at 7am (Juice, Coffee, Bagels and Donuts) with the first tee time at 8am at The Beautiful Eisenhower Golf Club, Silver Course, US Air Force Academy, CO. Prices include: Greens Fees, Cart, Goodie Bag, Door Prizes, Awards, Breakfast and BBQ Lunch. Club rentals are available. For fee information see the AFA Symposium web page http://www.usafa.af.mil/morss or contact Lt Yerkes at the number below. Space is limited so Email, call, or fax in your registration and/or desired foursome to: 1Lt Rusty Yerkes, Email: mailto: rusty.yerkes@usafa.af.milVoice mail: DSN 333-8729, Commercial 719-333-872, Fax: DSN 333-7137, Commercial 719-333-7137. Come play on the one of the finest courses in the DoD and enjoy the scenic views of the Rockies.
MS 101 is a half-day tutorial that presents basic DoD Modeling and Simulation (M&S) information. The target audience is newcomers to M&S. MS 101 presents basic M&S terminology; the DoD M&S organization, vision, and strategy and how these evolved; the DoD Modeling and Simulation Master Plan; the Common Technical Framework, consisting of the High Level Architecture (HLA), Data Standards, and the Conceptual Model of the Mission Space (CMMS); issues concerning representing the natural environment, systems, and humans and organizations; Verification, Validation, and Accreditation (VV&A); JSIMS, JWARS, and JMASS; and M&S information sources.
Over 2000 attendees have attended an MS 101 presentation at a wide variety of conferences and defense agencies. These include I/ITSEC 98 and 99, ITEC Asia, the Naval Postgraduate School MOVES Program, The University of Texas’ Army Senior Service College Fellows Program, the Defense M&S Office (DMSO) Industry Days 99, Marine Corps Systems Command, the Korea Institute for Defense Analysis and USSOCOM.
MS 101 is the tutorial you should attend if you are interested in learning about M&S in the DoD.
Mr Tom Stanford
IITRI/AB Tech Group
1901 N. Beauregard St., Ste 400
Alexandria, VA 22311
703-933-3343
Mr Denny Murphy
IITRI/AB Tech Group
1901 N. Beauregard St., Ste 400
Alexandria, VA 22311
703-933-3330
Both represent the Modeling and Simulation Information Analysis Center (MSIAC).
The Junior/Senior Analyst program will take place for the eleventh consecutive year at the 68th MORS Symposium at the USAF Academy. Last year for the first time MORS offered two separate sessions, each on consecutive days. The idea was to accommodate those who enjoy visiting with and listening to leading senior analysts known to most of us, while enabling our more junior analysts to focus on their concerns with mid-level, well established MORSians closely aligned with the analytical community of today.
We expect that the first session will be scheduled for the Tuesday afternoon Special Session time slot in an auditorium that will accommodate a relatively large number of participants. The session will be open to all to hear distinguished senior analysts discuss topics relating to this year’s theme in particular and to the world of operations research in general. After introductory remarks from each of the seniors, the balance of the period will feature a moderator-led Q&A session from the floor. This session was enormously successful last year at West Point. We hope to duplicate or surpass it this year.
Session two, presently scheduled for the Wednesday afternoon Special Session time slot in smaller classrooms, will be dedicated exclusively to the junior analyst. We define junior analyst as one who is relatively new to the military operations research world and will benefit from the wisdom provided by those more seasoned analysts who have "been around." It will follow a format that has been successful in the past. There will be at least four meeting rooms separated along Service and Joint duty lines featuring mid-level experienced analysts who are familiar with the day-to-day problems and issues facing the OR community today. The sessions will feature two seniors, each of whom will address the concerns of the attendees. It is envisioned that the questions and discussions will focus on career paths within the military OR world and other "Hot" topics important to junior analysts. It is at this second session that junior analysts will have the opportunity to meet with those more experienced analysts who are currently making significant contributions to military analysis and national security issues. We emphasize that, while all are welcome, the focus will be on the junior analyst during the Wednesday sessions. If last year was any indication, the sessions should feature no-holds-barred discussions and lively interchanges.
This year for Session 1 we have extended invitations to Dr Bill Lese, Mr Vince Roske, Dr Jackie Henningsen and Mr Dick Wiles.
Invitations for Session 2 include COL Charles Betack, CAPT Lee Dick, Col Phil Exner, Dr Cy Staniec, Ms Mary Bonnet, Lt Col Suzanne Beers and Mr Pete Byrne.
BOQ Rooms are available at USAFA during the 68th MORSS. Call the billeting reservations office at 719-333-3060, DSN 333-3060. Tell them you are with the 68th MORSS group.