MORGANTOWN WV – Oct. 13, 2023 – A nationwide Civil-Military Innovation Institute (CMI2) team responsible for creating Soldier-centered innovation and research facilities at four locations were recognized by the Army Research Laboratory’s (ARL) at the 28th Annual Honorary Awards Program on Sep. 13, 2023.
Led by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) ARL, the collaborative initiative built a new pathway for technical discovery through the creation of DIRT (Design, Innovation, Research, and Technology) laboratories, or makerspaces, for Soldier-centered innovation and research collaboration. The DIRT labs managed by CMI2 personnel included Applied Tactical Innovation Center (ATIC), Fort Campbell, KY; Airborne Innovation Lab (AIL), Fort Liberty, NC; Marne Innovation Center, Fort Stewart, GA; and Tactical Operations Related to Cybersecurity Hub (TORCH), Morgantown, WV, with the West Virginia Army National Guard.
The award nomination noted the committed collaboration between DEVCOM ARL and CMI2 in seeking out opportunities to impact the warfighter, and for developing unique tools, resources, and processes to bring Soldiers into the innovation and science and technology (S&T) process. It further commended the collaborative efforts to promote entrepreneurship and bottom-up innovation within Army units, empowering Soldiers to think differently about the role they play in innovation and take action on ideas to deliver novel capabilities to the Army.
“The DIRT Lab concept flips the traditional S&T development approach by focusing on the end-user, the Soldiers, to identify and develop concepts and solutions for Solider readiness and realistic preparation,” said COL Mitch Kusmier, CMI2 Vice President Operations. “The frontline approach to military innovation is critical to our DIRT Lab successes and proves our hypothesis that ‘innovation in the dirt’ is key to our future readiness and military modernization.”
In collaboration with several Army units and DEVCOM ARL researchers, the CMI2 team designed, staffed, and opened the four DIRT Labs starting in November 2021. Soldiers bring their creative ideas and receive engineering support and guidance as they collaborate with academic and defense experts on novel technologies critical to Army operations.
“Specifically, matching the available tools in each DIRT Lab with our on-site engineering expertise, support, and mentorship, the labs foster an environment for Soldiers to learn, innovate, and build ideas to explore novel technology solutions to unit needs,” Kusmier said.
The DIRT Labs team includes DEVCOM ARL oversight from Dr. Arwen H. DeCostanza, Mr. Robert A. Dionisio (DEVCOM AC), Mr. Christopher C. Connors (CTR-ARL), and Mr. John R. Coomer (CTR-ARL). From CMI2, the team includes Mr. Cody Clevenger, Mr. Paul Coffy, Ms. Mallory Coleman, Mr. David Jordan, Mr. Garth Ghearing, Ms. Erika Uzmann, Mr. Jared Lemons, and Mr. Randy Emert.
Each DIRT Lab is supported by an innovation officer from the unit at the time of establishment. Soldiers also recognized as part of this effort include CPT Lauren Hansen-Armendariz (MIL ATIC), LT Jenelle Sanders (MIL AIL), CPT Christopher Clarkin (MIL AIL), LT Christopher Alperti (MIL Marne Innovation Center), and SFC William Wilder (MIL, USARMY XVIII ABN Corps).
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