Rear Admiral West Visits COOL Facility

On October 16, 2002 Rear Admiral Richard D. West, of U.S. Navy, and President of the Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education (CORE), which is a Washington, D.C.-based association of the leading marine science institutions in the country, visited Rutgers University's Coastal Ocean Observation Lab. 

Rear Admiral West met and spoke with Bob Rossi, and Drs. Scott Glenn, Oscar Schofield, John Wilkin,  Paul Falkowski, and Dennis Kent. Mr. Bob Rossi gave RA West an overview of the Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences. Dr. Dennis Kent from the Department of Geological Sciences discussed the Ocean Drilling Program. Drs. Scott Glenn and Oscar Schofield went into depth about observing systems. Dr. John Wilkin discussed modeling systems, and Dr. Paul Falkowski elaborated on various science issues. The COOL group then met with Rear Admiral West for an Observatory Issues Discussion session, whereby interests such as NSF, MRE, Ocean.US roles were discussed, governance models laid out, and an explanation of NEOS (especially data streams and modeling efforts) given in more detail.

Below is some further detail about Rear Admiral West:

Rear Admiral West came to CORE from the Department of the Navy. Since 1999 he has managed a $400 million program providing oceanographic, meteorological, geospatial information and navigation support to the Navy. His military career encompasses a broad spectrum of operational experience, high-level staff assignments, and command and leadership positions.

Prior to serving as Oceanographer, he was the Deputy Director for the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization. Other shore assignments include Director, Surface Combat Systems Division on the CNO's Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations CINCSOUTH, and Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force. From 1992-1993, as Commanding Officer of the Surface Warfare Officers School, he directed a large, advanced studies academic institution, which provides a continuum of professional education and training to prepare naval officers to serve at sea Admiral West served in Vietnam with the riverine forces and commanded ships during hostilities in the Arabian Gulf. He has commanded three ships, USS OPPORTUNE (ARS-41), USS MCINERNEY (FFG-8), and USS LEAHY (CG-16).

A native of the Finger Lakes region of New York State, West has been awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal (two awards), Legion of Merit (three awards), Meritorious Service Medal, NOAA Administrator's Award Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and various service and campaign medals. West graduated from the University of Rochester, receiving his commission through the ROTC program. He holds Master's degrees in management and national security.

As President, Rear Admiral West leads and manages the Washington, DC-based association of 66 of the country’s leading oceanographic research institutions, universities, laboratories, and aquaria.

For more information about CORE, please visit: www.COREocean.org

Background provided by Brian Wheeler of CORE

All the extra efforts of the IMCS Computer Support staff, and faculty/staff were very much appreciated by the COOL group.