NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, Va. — Have a radical idea to solve a naval problem?
The Chief of Naval Operations and the Navy Warfare Development Command invite Junior Officers and Enlisted, O-4 and below, to apply for the CNO Rapid Innovation Cell for 2016. Interested individuals can prepare now to apply by visiting https://www.milsuite.mil/book/cric2016. Application deadline is Jan. 31, 2016.
Successful 2016 applicants will develop innovative technology or processes as part of the CRIC, established in 2012 to take advantage of opportunities outside the Navy mainstream. The CRIC empowers junior leaders with flag leadership advocacy and financial resources to develop prototypes that can be rapidly transitioned to the fleet.
Volunteers from cross-sections of Navy communities are sought to participate as a collateral duty without a geographic relocation or release from present duty assignment.
“CRIC members generally travel or participate in innovation events about four days every other month outside of their regular duties,” said Cmdr. Benjamin Salazar, director of the CRIC. Project management is in addition to normally assigned duties. Verified command support is required for membership.
“CRIC candidates must have exceptional drive, passion, and the vision necessary to carry their project to completion,” Salazar said. “In return, successful applicants will be provided funding, oversight, training, administration, and logistics support via the CRIC NWDC that manages the CRIC program on behalf of the CNO.”
CRIC applicants should not be leaving the Navy or anticipating PCS orders to sea duty prior to September 2018. Project duration is normally not to exceed 24 months.
“During their tenure, CRIC members will travel to meet with government and industry science, technology, and innovation leaders throughout the world,” Salazar said. “They will also have the opportunity to meet and brief the CNO on their projects.”
Chosen applicants will join a group of successful current CRIC members.
Recently Lt. Jason Knudson led an open architecture initiative for afloat platforms that resulted in multiple demonstrations of rapidly reconfigurable mission packages aboard STILETTO and in TRIDENT SPECTRE.
Lt. Cmdr. Rollie Wicks is leading an initiative to develop a next-generation computer modeling language, which was recently adopted as an international standard and it is being implemented by the Department of Veteran's Affairs for medical systems. Direct intelligence community and DoD application of the modeling language and semantic technologies are ongoing under the leadership of
Lt. Cmdr. Wicks who is working towards a National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency/Navy enterprise solution to semi-automate Notice to Mariners updates to Naval charts, eliminating a multi-year backlog of these products and producing near real-time maritime Safety of Navigation content in support of the safety of life at sea for U.S. Naval Forces.
Lt. Eric Regnier leads a renewable energy initiative to produce electricity from naval galley food waste via solid state anaerobic digestion, developing an installing a prototype at the US Naval Academy in less than 10 months from project start. Project data and lessons learned will inform further initiatives to implement waste to energy technologies at navy bases worldwide.
Logistics Specialist Petty Officer Second Class Michael Crowley and Logistics Specialist Petty Officer Second Class Robert Kennedy lead an initiative to streamline onboard materiel distribution by automating the documentation of repair part issues.
For more information on CRIC projects or how to apply, visit CRIC on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NavyCRIC and look for CRIC updates posted on our Twitter feed at https://www.twitter.com/NavyCRIC.
Applications and information can also be obtained through contacting NWDC point of contacts: Ms. Cameron Cooper (cameron.cooper@navy.mil, (757) 341-4731); Lt. j.g. Josie Lenny (josie.lenny@navy.mil, (757) 341-4687); or Cdr. Benjamin Salazar (benjamin.salazar@navy.mil, (757) 341-4090).