The research reported in this thesis is an extension and application of the results first introduced by the Procedural Approach to the Evaluation of Software Development Methodologies. The evaluation procedure offers a unique perspective based on the philosophy that a software development methodology should espouse a set of objectives that are achieved by employing certain U principles throughout the software development process, such that the products generated possess certain attributes deemed desirable. Further, definite linkages exist between objectives and principles, and principles and attributes. The work described herein adopts the perspective offered by the evaluation procedure and applies a critical analysis to the process-product relationships in DoD-STD-2l67 and DoD-STD-2l68. In support of the analysis, Augmented Data Flow Diagrams are introduced as an effective tool for concisely capturing the information in both standards. The results of the analysis offer a deeper insight into the requirements for defense system software development, such that one is able to better understand the development process, and more intelligently assess the quality of the software and documentation produced. / Master of Science

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 26-29, 1992 / Town and Country Hotel and Convention Center, San Diego, California / Telemetry operation is used extensively on a typical Department of Defense (DOD) test range to transfer data from an airborne transmitter to a ground receiver. The conventional telemetry systems employed are usually narrow-band systems. When a large number of airborne transmitters need to transfer data simultaneously to a ground station, a spread spectrum modulation scheme can be used. The drawback of such a scheme, however, is the large emission bandwidth required. The present frequency channeling plans in the telemetry band do not support frequency approval of large bandwidth data telemetry systems. However, a key requirement for obtaining the frequency approval can be satisfied if it can be shown that the spread spectrum modulated signal does not interfere with other systems in the same band. That is, the spread spectrum telemetry systems (SSTS’s) are feasible if these systems are electromagnetically compatible with the existing narrow-band telemetry receivers (NBTR’s) in their immediate environment. The electromagnetic compatibility (EMC between the SSTS transmitters and the conventional NBTR would promise the beginning of a new era for the telemetry operations on a DOD test range. This paper develops a methodology to establish the EMC between multiple airborne transmitters of an SSTS employing the code division multiple access (CDMA) technique and a ground-based conventional NBTR on a typical DOD test range operating simultaneously in the same band. The paper calculates the electromagnetic interference (EMI) levels between the SSTS and the NBTR to establish the EMC between the two systems.

Approved for public release; distribution in unlimited. / This thesis discusses risk in Department of Defense (DoD) weapon systems acquisition. It uses the Marine Corps' Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAAV) as a case study in risk management strategy and techniques. The AAAV will provide the Marine Corps with a fast deploying, over-the-horizon, waterborne insertion capability. The AAAV's improvements over the currently fielded Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) will provide Marines with a highly survivable and lethal weapon system ashore. Risk is the possibility of damage, inj ury or loss. The severity of a risk is determined by a combination of both the probability of an unfavorable event occurring and the severity of the event's occurrence. Risks are present in virtually all DoD developmental programs. Programs suffer from risks in technical challenges, unstable system requirements, missing schedule milestones, unpredictable funding and cost overruns. The DoD currently uses techniques to mitigate risks inherent in advanced system development. This thesis analyzes the AAAV's Program Definition and Risk Reduction (PDRR) acquisition phase risk management strategy. The thesis concludes by drawing from the lessons learned in the AAAV program during PDRR and analyzing the application of the lessons learned during the AAAV's cu rrent acquisition phase, System Development and Demonstration (SDD) / Captain, United States Marine Corps

Several reserachers have identified the challenges faced by military adolescent dependents. However, scholarly literature provides little evidence regarding examples of the impact of military adolescents' transition and adjustment to residing in a multicultural community overseas. A qualitative case study was conducted of 6 former military adolescents between the ages of 18 and 25, regarding their perceptions of the experiences and challenges they encountered while residing in a multicultural overseas community as a military dependent between grades 8-12. Benet's polarities of democracy served as the theoretical framework. All data were inductively coded and subjected to a thematic analysis from which 5 themes emerged. Participants unanimously agreed that the lack of needed information while discussing transition with their parents led to negative experiences. Participants also agreed that they have not been included in policy development regarding military adolescent programs, which negatively impacted their integration into the overseas communities. Overall, the results of this study highlight the challenges this population encounters and indicates that the polarity pairs have not been leveraged well, thereby negatively impacting the participants' overall overseas experience. This study may encourage positive social change by informing Department of Defense policy makers and local installation leaders regarding the enactment of programs that better support military families with adolescent dependents living in an overseas environment. Such policy changes may enhance the experience of dependent military adolescents, encourage the military personnel's future commitment to military service, and support service member retention.

In light of drastically escalating costs for today’s medications, pharmacy benefit managers are seeking a constant balance of effectiveness and cost control. Step Therapy helps to address these concerns with a try medication “A” before medication “B” logic. Like all medical interventions, the possibility of unintended consequences exists. The purpose of this study was to determine if non-adherence results from application of Step Therapy for selected medication classes (antihyperlipidemics (specifically the HMG Co-A reductase inhibitors), angiotensin receptor blockers, uro-selective alpha-blockers, and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors) in the Department of Defense. Using a retrospective database analysis, this study examined the primary adherence rate of subjects after they have been denied coverage due to Step Therapy intervention. Additionally, this study examined the association of demographic and service-related factors with the likelihood that a patient will be non-adherent after encountering the intervention. Finally, the study measured the time to adherence after intervention for those who were persistent after a Step Therapy claim rejection. STATA version 10.0 was used to conduct logistic regression analyses to meet the study objectives. After examination of 279,508 claims for 27,202 subjects, the estimated primary non-adherence rate following the Step Therapy intervention for all medication classes combined was 15.1%. Additionally, there was inter-class variability in this rate ranging between 13.1% and 19.5%. A statistical and practical difference was also noted in non-adherence rates between subjects who received care at the retail point of service versus those who received care at the mail order point of service. Subjects who received care through retail were nearly twice as likely to be non-adherent as those who received care in the mail order segment. For those subjects who were persistent with therapy, the median time-to-fill was estimated at 7 days. The occurrence of non-adherence following a Step Therapy intervention was clearly demonstrated through this study. Although this study provides good framework for designing interventions after claim rejection, further research would help to determine the health impact of primary non-adherence as well as the economic consequences of the intervention. / text

MBA Professional Report / Aproved for public release; distribution is unlimited. / In light of the limited recognition of electronic reverse auctions (e-RA) in the acquisition field, the purpose of this research paper is to further the use of e-RAs throughout the federal government and the Department of Defense (D0D). By exploring a multitude of auction types and designs that have been or are currently being used in the private sector, these practices set a basis for researching the auction types being used in the public sector. This paper further explores the regulations guiding the use of e-RAs and investigates the federal government's application of reverse auctions through studies, reports, and interviews with users of e-RAs. Details as to what attributes are prevalent in these e-RAs, what features are best suited for e-RAs, and what benefits have been derived from the use of e-RAs in the federal government are also included. Finally, the researchers found that e-RAs have increased transparency, cost savings, and efficiencies in the acquisition process. Although reverse auctions are being used effectively, the researchers found that there are still opportunities for improvement including incorporating a fully functional best-value tool into e-RA technology and developing more thorough federal guidance on e-RAs as an alternative pricing method.

The construction of levees along the Mississippi River [MR], beginning in the mid-to-late nineteenth century, have isolated the river along many segments from its floodplain. Sediment from the river is currently deposited in the hydrologically connected floodplain [HCF], the area between the channel margin at low water and the levees. Researchers have studied the amount and rates of sediment deposition along the Upper and Lower Mississippi River segments from the headwaters to Pool 22 and from the Ohio River to the delta; however, no such assessments have been undertaken along the Middle Mississippi River [MMR]. This study attempts to fill the knowledge gap by assessing sedimentation along three islands within the Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge. On these islands two approaches were undertaken to assess sedimentation along the MMR’s HCF: dendrogeomorphology and the DEM of Difference [DoD] approach. The dendrogeomorphic approach uses tree-ring analyses to document and interpret geomorphic processes and the rates at which they are occurring. The DoD approach subtracts an older DEM from a newer DEM in order to see the change in elevation/depth over time. The geomorphology of the islands and then the entire MMR HCF (from the confluence of the Missouri River to Thebes, IL) were mapped. Using the sedimentation rates for the geomorphic landforms from the three study islands, the sedimentation rates and volumes for the aforementioned portion of the MMR’s HCF were estimated. The estimated volume of sediment was then compared to the MMR’s suspended sediment flux to determine how much of the suspended sediment was going into storage within the MMR’s HCF. The dendrogeomorphic and DoD methods for the study islands yielded average sedimentation rates of 13.3-16.9 mm year-1 and 21.5-80.1 mm year-1, respectively. The rates for the individual landforms on the islands using the dendrogeomorphic results ranged from 5.2 mm year-1 for the splay to 21.8 mm year-1 for the natural levee and splay, with a weighted average of 16.6 mm year-1 for the MMR HCF. Using these rates and the likely range of densities for the floodplain sediments, it is estimated that 4.9-6.6 million metric tons of sediment is accumulating within the MMR annually. This is approximately 5.4-7.4% of the average annual suspended sediment load of the Mississippi River at St. Louis. This means that the MMR is a major sediment sink. If these relatively rapid rates of deposition continue, they have the potential to substantially reduce the HCF’s ability to convey and store flood water which will result in increased flood levels and, consequently, flood risk within the MMR’s levee protected floodplain in the coming decades.