President's Message
Vice President Message to NTSA and I/ITSEC Constituents
As we rapidly approach I/ITSEC 2023 at the end of this month, NTSA President, RADM James Robb, USN (Ret.), would typically lead this edition of the newsletter with news related to the great success we will have at I/ITSEC. Before we discuss what to expect at this year’s conference, we would like to take a moment to honor our mentor, friend, and president.
RADM Robb encouraged teamwork and open communication, and fostered a strong sense of unity among the NTSA staff, all while keeping the focus on the customer. His professional legacy includes a strong NTSA team and an I/ITSEC committee of over 300 volunteers. A keystone achievement during his presidency was the continued expansion of the NTSA Scholarship program. At I/ITSEC 2023, NTSA will award $180,000 for six Bachelor's degrees, nine Master's degrees, and ten Ph.D. scholarships to a group of highly qualified and motivated candidates. Through RADM Robb’s leadership, NTSA expanded its commitment to growing the modeling and simulation technology workforce. He established priorities to serve and attract underrepresented students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). These programs help teachers integrate hands-on strategies to support children and youth learning complex STEM concepts to help inspire the next generation workforce of the simulation and training community.
RADM Robb was also a passionate advocate for the application of modeling and simulation to improve patient safety and to minimize harm. Following a Modeling and Simulation Congressional Caucus Leadership Summit in February 2020, which highlighted the critical care needs in our country, he formed the NTSA Patient Safety Working Group. This group of professionals, comprised of government, healthcare, and M&S professionals, remains actively engaged in educating Congress and the broader community on how modeling and simulation can minimize errors in medical treatment through training of critical procedures.
RADM Robbs strategic vision has been our guiding light through good times as well as adversity, he played a pivotal role in advancing the interests of our warfighters and enhancing national security, and will leave a lasting imprint on the NTSA and the I/ITSEC community. We are grateful for your unwavering support and active participation in our community, let us unite in support and solidarity to continue the mission that RADM Robb championed so passionately. We invite you to learn more about RADM Robb’s life of service via “Golden Eagles link.”
What is in store at I/ITSEC 2023?
The Honorable Douglas R. Bush, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology) and General Gary M. Brito, USA, Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) will address attendees in the U.S. Army Fireside Chat, moderated by the Honorable Katharina “Katrina” G. McFarland, Ph.D., Vice Chair, Army Science Board, during the Opening Ceremonies on November 28. In addition to the U.S. Army Fireside Chat, Doug A. Bowman, Ph.D., Frank J. Maher Professor of Computer Scienc at Virginia Tech will serve as this year’s industry keynote. Other senior leaders from OSD and all four services have confirmed. We have a strong international contingent attending, and the team is tracking a record number of Flag, General Officers, and Senior Executive Service speakers.
I want to thank the 300 volunteers that make I/ITSEC happen, and especially our Conference Lead, Eliot Winer, Ph.D., and our Program Chair, Anne Little, Ph.D. They have been solid support and leadership to not only I/ITSEC, but to me personally and I need to thank them for that. They, along with the conference subcommittees, put hundreds of hours into the planning and execution of the program and can take credit for the incredible content that hopefully you will enjoy. Visit IITSEC.org to review the program; you will be impressed, and then download the mobile app to plan your visit, search I/ITSEC 2023 in your Apple or Google app store to download.
On the webinar front, we had a very exciting event today that brought together the Service Executives to discuss their plans and expectations for I/ITSEC. It was a powerful hour and the recording will be available online at NTSA.org/Events. There will not be a webinar in December.
We all hope you got a chance to vote and that we can put the midterms behind us. There is word that the Continuing Resolution should be signed and in place by November 17, and we are confident that support for the Department of Defense will remain strong.
Please let me or any member of the NTSA team know how we can help; we are here to serve.
Debbie Langelier
Vice President
NTSA