CHIPS Articles: Applications for the FY-18 Naval Innovation Advisory Council

UNCLASSIFIED
ROUTINE
R 131718Z DEC 16
FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
TO ALNAV
INFO SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
CNO WASHINGTON DC
CMC WASHINGTON DC
BT
UNCLAS

ALNAV 073/16

MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/DEC//

SUBJ/APPLICATIONS FOR THE FY-18 NAVAL INNOVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL//

REF/A/MEMO/SECNAV MEMO/21APR2015//
REF/B/ALNAV 012/16
REF/C/ALNAV 043/16
NARR/REF A DIRECTS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NAVAL INNOVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL. REF B ESTABLISHES THE NAVAL INNOVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL AND PROVIDES INITIAL GUIDANCE FOR FY-16 IMPLEMENTATION. REF C PROVIDES THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, INNOVATION FOCUS AREAS AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FY-17 NIAC.

RMKS/1. This ALNAV provides eligibility criteria, manning levels and other requirements for the Fiscal Year 2018 (FY-18) Naval Innovation Advisory Council (NIAC).

2. The NIAC is a department-level council, comprised of a small cadre of uniformed Navy and Marine Corps personnel selected annually to serve as Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Innovation Advisors. The NIAC considers, develops, and accelerates innovative concepts for presentation to the SECNAV and other Department of the Navy (DON) senior leaders, with recommendations to synchronize senior leadership, facilitate the flow of resources, streamline policy, and remove roadblocks that hinder innovation. The NIAC builds and maintains an effective network of military, government, academic, and private sector experts to continually assess future operational and technological environments and identify areas of opportunity for the DON.

3. SECNAV Innovation Advisors provide ways and means to accelerate innovation within the DON. This is accomplished by engaging in flexible research options targeting DON leadership priorities; leveraging access to leading-edge innovative firms to identify opportunities for future capabilities; championing specific projects/experiments to a level of maturity sufficient for transition; and participating in action-learning environments directly supporting the DON Innovation Vision.

4. The FY-18 NIAC will be comprised of five Navy personnel and four Marine Corps personnel. SECNAV Innovation Advisors report to the Office of Strategy and Innovation within the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy (Management)(DUSN(M)).

5. Military personnel selected as FY-18 SECNAV Innovation Advisors will be assigned either to the National Capital Region or the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California.

6. SECNAV Innovation Advisor tours will be 12 months.

7. Assignment to the NIAC as a SECNAV Innovation Advisor does not require an extension of service agreement beyond any to which a Service Member may already be obligated.

8. DUSN(M) will provide administrative support to sponsoring organizations and appropriate educational institutions to facilitate professional military education credit, as appropriate.

9. Individuals selected to serve as SECNAV Innovation Advisors on the FY-18 NIAC should plan to report no later than 30 August 2017.

10. SECNAV Innovation Advisor Eligibility Criteria:
a. Active duty member of the Navy or Marine Corps.
b. Possess a college degree from an accredited four-year educational institution (preferred, but not required).
c. Strong potential for promotion, with an established record of outstanding leadership and performance, and an ability to work closely with executive leadership in a demanding, fast-paced environment.
d. Possess a passion for innovation and making meaningful organizational change, with the ability to create an innovative environment, push boundaries, achieve growth, and challenge the status quo.
e. Ability to conduct independent research and analysis and develop options for consideration by senior leadership.
f. Outstanding oral and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare research and academic papers.
g. Ability to create and sustain effective professional networks.
h. Ability to accomplish objectives with limited supervision.
i. At a minimum, possess an active SECRET clearance and access eligibility. For research projects conducted at a higher than SECRET level, Advisors will be required to possess and maintain the appropriate level of clearance and access eligibility.

11. SECNAV Innovation Advisor Responsibilities:
a. SECNAV Innovation Advisors will be assigned a primary and secondary innovation project. Projects will be approved by DUSN(M) and determined by input from DON senior leadership or established DON innovation priorities.
b. In addition to assigned projects, SECNAV Innovation Advisors shall propose an individual research project and work with the Office of Strategy and Innovation to refine this project to ensure alignment with DON innovation priorities, goals, and objectives.
c. SECNAV Innovation Advisors are required to provide a written report and formal brief on the results of their assigned innovation projects. The timeline for deliverables will depend on the projects complexity and the required level of effort, and will be determined by the Office of Strategy and Innovation.
d. Within 30 days of completion of the NIAC tour, SECNAV Innovation Advisors are to submit a research paper and formal brief on their individual research project.
e. In some cases, a group research project may be required as a means to consolidate related projects or to focus on a field of inquiry requiring a wider scope of effort.

12. SECNAV Innovation Advisor Selection Process:
a. The Navy and the Marine Corps will each utilize established processes to identify and provide qualified candidates to the DUSN(M) Office of Strategy and Innovation.
b. The Office of Strategy and Innovation will evaluate the candidates, conduct interviews, and recommend the most qualified individuals to the SECNAV for final selection. If candidates are found to be not suitable for the position, the Navy and the Marine Corps will work with the SECNAV to identify alternate candidates.
c. Individuals interested in serving as a SECNAV Innovation Advisor for the FY-18 NIAC should contact their Navy detailers or Marine Corps monitors no later than 23 December 2016.

13. DON Civilian Personal Participation:
a. For commands and offices that wish to align their respective civilian personnel and innovative research interests with the NIAC innovation activities, a designation of SECNAV Associate Innovation Advisor may be available. Associate Advisors research must have application beyond their immediate command or office, potentially relating to functions found across the DON.
b. Selected SECNAV Associate Innovation Advisors will have the opportunity to brief DON senior leaders on their research, and obtain senior leader guidance on ways to develop their work, or advocacy for more mature research.
c. SECNAV Innovation Associate Advisors remain at their home command and their activities are entirely funded by their organizations, including pay, travel, training, and related costs.
d. A future ALNAV will announce eligibility criteria, manning levels and other requirements for DON civilian personnel to join their Service Member counterparts in the FY-19 NIAC program.

14. Direct questions to the Office of Strategy and Innovation at DON_Innovation@navy.mil using the subject line FY-18 SECNAV Innovation Advisor.

15. Released by Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy.//