The 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, in partnership with the U.S. Army DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory (DEVCOM ARL) and the Civil-Military Innovation Institute (CMI2), celebrated the official opening and ribbon cutting for its Mountain Innovation and Systems Integration Lab (MISIL) on Oct. 3, 2024.
The MISIL is a collaborative Design, Innovation, Research, and Technology (DIRT) Lab designed to support tactical and Soldier-driven innovation with access to cutting-edge technology and guidance.
A component of the DEVCOM ARL Pathfinder program, the MISIL supports the Army’s need to quickly adapt to the innovative technology environment to ensure warfighters on the frontline succeed. Through the Pathfinder program, the Army partners with academia and industry to create realistic, usable technology in an ongoing modernization effort.
“The mission of the Catalyst Pathfinder program is to bring together Soldiers, engineers, and researchers to quickly solve problems and challenges,” said Dr. Arwen DeCostonza, program manager. “Our whole process is centered around understanding Soldier needs and ideas to solve their needs, fosters bottom-up innovation.”
Throughout the nation, DIRT Labs are managed by CMI2 personnel who support the mission of the Catalyst Pathfinder program and Solider engagement. The CMI2 program manager is Mr. James ‘Cody’ Clevenger, and CMI2 Innovation Engineer Ms. Erika Uzmann manages the MISIL.
“Our team has been on the ground in Fort Drum since late June, and we are already seeing terrific engagement from soldiers working to support tactical innovation at Fort Drum,” Clevenger said. “With the enthusiasm of this official ribbon cutting event, it is clear the 10th MTN is ready to start putting action to tactical challenges and leveraging their greatest asset, the Mountain Soldier.”
The grand opening event included remarks from Dr. DeCostanza and Mr. Clevenger, discussing the impact and importance of the Catalyst Pathfinder program, and remarks from 10th Mtn. leadership, including Maj. Gen. Scott Naumann, Commanding General; DIV Command Sgt. Maj. Brett W. Johnson, Division Deputy commander – Operations Brig. Gen. Joseph E. Escandon, and Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA) Mr. Joseph Butler, Jr.
Guests enjoyed an open house and project demonstrations following remarks and the ribbon cutting ceremony.
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