West Point Department of Systems Engineering

Congratulations to the class of 2024! The class showed up at a turbulent time with social distancing and masks. Throughout their journey here they bonded over the tough times both academically and militarily. Today, they took the oath of office and began their next chapter as Second Lieutenants. These graduates are ready to tackle complex problems and lead from the front. Well done and good luck!
ALL SYSTEMS GO!

On 3 May, the Department of Systems Engineering welcomed 48 EM and SE Cadets in its 2024 Order of the Engineer Ceremony. It represents an affirmation and commitment to the Engineering Profession and its Code of Ethics. DSE Cadets will soon become ethical leaders for the Profession of Arms, but also as members of their chosen Engineering Profession! Congratulations Class of ’24!

On 9 May, Cadets Kusano, Batt, Rubin, and McMickens presented their capstone research to senior leaders from the US Army Corps of Engineers during the Executive Governance Meeting at West Point. The work highlighted a new analytical method to use leading indicators for identification of project health to influence proactive interventions in project delivery. The Cadets presented work to the Chief of Engineers, LTG Spellmon, and are seen here receiving coins from MG Graham and CSM Galick for their superior efforts. The capstone experience is the culminating integrative educational experience for these Cadets. Congratulations on a job well done!

Proud of our Cadets’ positive impact! Partnering with to solve complex problems in a dynamic environment

Read the article here: https://www.army.mil/article/276370

It was announced this afternoon by the Dean that COL Coxen will become the Faculty Council Vice-Chair for Academic Year 2025. The faculty council is comprised of faculty across all academic departments and they make recommendations on USMA regulations, DAAW, and Academic use of Generative AI to name a few. It also comes with the ceremonial bell.

⭐️Capstone Spotlight⭐️
CDT Caleb Kish presents his independent studies project titled “Value Investing in the TSP.”

⭐️Capstone Spotlight⭐️
“Optimization for Diverse Team Assignment with a Case Study at West Point” CDT Bryan Frost, MAJ Phillip Schmedeman, and LTC Jonathan Paynter. This paper presents a goal programming approach to maximize diversity when assigning individuals to teams while considering interactions between multi-attribute profiles.

⭐️Capstone Spotlight⭐️
Cadets worked with the DEVCOM Soldier Center to improve the current system being used for human factors experiments with simulated fire-team marksmanship. By employing a deliberate systems design framework, they developed three distinct solutions that provide real-time shot accuracy feedback to soldiers. These recommendations were well-received by the Soldier Center and are being investigated for use in future versions of the marksmanship technology.

Pictured: Cadets Teran, Redmon, Kish, Johnson, and May.

⭐️Capstone Spotlight⭐️
Cadet Ryan Rast presents his research findings in his “NHL Moneyball” presentation. Ryan analyzed NHL goalie and defensemen performance to compare player performance on ice to their financial compensation via their salaries. He believes his model could allow teams to more accurately predict player performance and therefore more effectively manage their team’s salary cap.

⭐️Capstone Spotlight⭐️
The Single Pane of Glass presented the final culmination of their work improving the Forward Area Air Defense Command And Control System (FAAD C2) interface. The Cadets helped develop value focused interface improvements that will directly help FAAD C2 operators overseas defend against adversarial air threats, to include one way UAS attack drones.

⭐️Capstone Spotlight⭐️
One of the cadet capstone teams used the Lean Six Sigma process improvement methodology to effectively reduce overrun hours by 73% in Tobyhanna Army Depot’s cable fabrication division.

⭐️ Capstone Spotlight ⭐️
CDT Lorenzo Rodriguez briefs his honors project titled “Assessing Alternative Options in Home Financing.” CDT Rodriguez used deterministic and stochastic modeling to evaluate financing options in the mortgage market

DSE is taking over Jefferson Hall! Projects day starts at 0800 with our keynote speaker, Mr. Michael Parrish, followed by presentations starting at 0845. Come stop by!

Congratulations to MAJ Jake Lueders and MAJ Phil Schmedeman on their recognition and Dean’s Inter-Departmental Project Award. Their work is towards increasing U.S. Army Energy Security and Resilience through Interdisciplinary Projects. Well done!

Big shout out to COL Coxen and MAJ Coronato on their awards and acknowledgment at last nights Phi Kappa Phi dinner. COL Coxen was inducted in as a 2023 Distinguished Faculty Member and MAJ Coronato won the 2023 Peter L Zhu Scholastic Achievement Award. The Peter L Zhu Award is an Academy-wide award, chosen by committee to honor excellence in faculty scholarship.

The DSE Team got their sweat on this morning at the Supe’s PT! The theme for today’s PT was to “Be a good teammate” and to show support for SAAPM. It was a great way to start the day and the team even received Supe 61 patches.

Make your vote count and support The Dean!!!

Round 2! Stakes are high as we throw down for the best Army leader development content creators. Vote for your favorite West Point Dean and our awesome Academic Program! I’ve pledged to make an epic spirit video if we win!

They tally votes from Instagram and x, so vote on both platforms and share with your friends! Let’s show everyone what West Point’s academic program is made of!

X: https://x.com/armyldrexchange/status/1771567974886850939?s=46&t=NzyxCv2s-0LwQAsBOVquLw

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/armyldrexchange/3330196128132573719?igsh=MXcwZnV2MjJiYXAweg==

We brought 4 cadets Moody’s NYC headquarters, a stakeholder in a capstone this year. The project works with DARPA to enable DoD and commercial partners to appropriately address systemic risk in supply chain procurement and acquisition and helps to identify and mitigate system fragilities before they cause disruptions. Moody’s helps organizations understand risk and safeguard decisions. We are grateful they have been generous to share their time and knowledge of supply chain systems…and their awesome views of Manhattan!

The ASEM Club welcomed President Jay Frye of INDYCAR last week. Mr. Frye shared his experience and gave the cadets a unique insight into running INDYCAR.

Check out the link below to read all about it!

https://www.indycar.com/News/2023/11/11-16-Frye-Army

LTC Tommy Ryan, a 2006 USMA Systems grad and D/SE faculty member from 2015-2018 assumed command of 2-325 AIR, 82nd Airborne Division on November 15th. Congratulations and All Systems Go!!!

On 4 November, Cadets from West Point joined other Engineering students at the 83rd Annual Dinner and Scholarship Gala sponsored by the Society of American Military Engineers at Cipriani South Street in New York City . Two of the recipients in the DSE Class of ‘24 included CDT James Pinter (Systems Engineering and pictured here) and CDT Trenton Douthwaite (Engineering Management). Congratulations and Thank You for your rich contributions to the DSE curriculum and exemplary academic accomplishments!

The EXCEL Scholars Program officially kicks off the academic year with Dr. Ramsey Smith encouraging our cadets to think about their passion, purpose, perseverance, and producing results as they continue to develop as leaders and scholars.

Dr. Smith, the senior advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Space Acquisition and Integration, reminds cadets that through EXCEL we can all strive for a higher standard and be an instrument for change.

🗓️ Mark your calendar as Dr. Smith will be speaking at West Point Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Conference today!

🤝 For more information on the EXCEL Scholars Program and how it can help you pursue excellence at the Academy and beyond, come check out our table tonight at the Cultural & Diversity Table in 1730 in Crest Hall.

It’s capstone time! Cadets were assigned projects today and met with their advisors to begin their year long work on solving a complex problem. Firstie cadets work with DoD and industry to apply their systems skills that they have acquired over the past three years. The culmination of their work will be presented in May at the annual projects day conference. Good luck firsties!

We have new neighbors in the building. The Department of Social Sciences have relocated from Lincoln Hall to Mahan Hall in what would be described as a SOSH Run for faculty. The relocation is part of the Academic Building Upgrade Plan(ABUP) which is renovating and modernizing existing academic buildings. Welcome to Mahan.

The Superintendent recognized two great leaders within the Department yesterday. Colonel Matthew Dabkowski was awarded the title of Professor United States Military Academy (PUSMA) and Colonel Paul Evangelist was awarded Professor of Systems Engineering. Please congratulate them on this incredible achievement!

The Superintendent recognized 4 team members from our Department today in his address to the work force. LTC Geisler, MAJ Yoo, Dr. Sanders, and Mr. Figueroa were all awarded for their individual achievements over the past year. Please congratulate them the next time you see them.

Beautiful morning for a run! Team Systems had a great time supporting the Supe’s Community Run. We might have even woke up some cadets with our cadence calling.

EARNED NOT GIVEN! Congratulations Class of 2027 on slaying the BEAST and welcome to the Corps of Cadets. The march back is a significant accomplishment by the incoming class as it signifies the end of summer training and the beginning of the academic year. We look forward to seeing the cadets back in the classroom next week.

Happy Birthday to COL Coxen! This marks the second year that her birthday landed on March Back. It's starting to become a tradition.