“Penn State to lead civilian STEM workforce development program for US Navy”

[BobPSU92]

See the link below. From the article:

”UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State College of Engineering and Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) are partnering to launch a new workforce development program to prepare students for jobs as civilian engineers and scientists for the U.S. Navy. Funded with a five-year, $15.5 million grant from the Office of Naval Research (ONR), the Penn State Intern PipelinE LInks to Navy Engineering (PIPELINE) program aims to train and connect students to technical civilian careers in the Navy.

The Department of Defense is the nation’s largest federal employer with a military workforce of about 2.1 million service members and about 770,000 civilian employees, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

“Meeting the demands for a STEM workforce is critical for preserving our national security,” said Allan Sonsteby, executive director of ARL. “Maintaining a competitive advantage over our adversaries requires a STEM skilled workforce capable of developing leading-edge technologies. We are extremely proud to partner with ONR and the College of Engineering to support workforce development of the next generation of engineers and scientists.””

And,

”Dean Capone, associate research professor of acoustics in the College of Engineering and a deputy director of ARL who is serving as a co-PI spanning both the college and ARL, called Penn State a “natural fit” to establish PIPELINE.

“The combination of the College of Engineering and ARL positions Penn State as one of the top universities in the country capable of fulfilling this mission,” Capone said. “The University has a nationally renowned engineering program as part of its land-grant mission, and ARL is a University-Affiliated Research Center with the Navy, under the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research at Penn State.””

https://www.psu.edu/news/engineering/story/penn-state-lead-civilian-stem-workforce-development-program-us-navy/

 

[Tom_PSU]

$15.5 million, that’s pocket change for the DoD. After salary increases for administrators and staff, the legion of mandatory new hires, and junkets to the beach to determine if water is still wet how much will actually be left for research? It’s probably good for the students, but better for the mooches.

 

[Nitwit]

$15.5 million, that’s pocket change for the DoD. After salary increases for administrators and staff, the legion of mandatory new hires, and junkets to the beach to determine if water is still wet how much will actually be left for research? It’s probably good for the students, but better for the mooches.

Why would you post this comment? Did you not get accepted for a job there or something?

 

[Tom_PSU]

Look Dimwit, I’m happy they got the grant, and it’s good for the students. Did you not read my last sentence in the post, before you started jerking off? Hey Shitwit what’s inaccurate?
1. $15.5 million is literally pocket change to the DoD. Do you have any clue what their budget is for grants? I’ll give you a hint, you’ll need to take off your shoes and socks and use all your fingers to total it up.
2. You actually believe some people aren’t going to receive salary raises, and some additional people hired wether needed or not?
3. Are you stupid enough, sorry that’s a rhetorical question, to believe there won’t be “junkets” by administrators to Naval Installations. They’re on the beach moron, not Wahoo, Nebraska..
4. Just to tie up loose ends for your sedentary brain cells, no I never applied for a job there?

 

[Midnighter]

Look Dimwit, I’m happy they got the grant, and it’s good for the students. Did you not read my last sentence in the post, before you started jerking off? Hey Shitwit what’s inaccurate?
1. $15.5 million is literally pocket change to the DoD. Do you have any clue what their budget is for grants? I’ll give you a hint, you’ll need to take off your shoes and socks and use all your fingers to total it up.
2. You actually believe some people aren’t going to receive salary raises, and some additional people hired wether needed or not?
3. Are you stupid enough, sorry that’s a rhetorical question, to believe there won’t be “junkets” by administrators to Naval Installations. They’re on the beach moron, not Wahoo, Nebraska..
4. Just to tie up loose ends for your sedentary brain cells, no I never applied for a job there?

 

[Tom_PSU]

My coffee maker shorted out this morning. I’m a might testy right now.

 

[BobPSU92]

My coffee maker shorted out this morning. I’m a might testy right now.

I get it.

 

[PrtLng Lion]

“Meeting the demands for a STEM workforce is critical for preserving our national security,” said Allan Sonsteby, executive director of ARL. “Maintaining a competitive advantage over our adversaries requires a STEM skilled workforce capable of developing leading-edge technologies."

^^ This x100.

 

[BobPSU92]

“Meeting the demands for a STEM workforce is critical for preserving our national security,” said Allan Sonsteby, executive director of ARL. “Maintaining a competitive advantage over our adversaries requires a STEM skilled workforce capable of developing leading-edge technologies."

^^ This x100.

Yeah, but PSU is involved. We’re screwed.

 

[Nitt1300]

 

[step.eng69]

Look Dimwit, I’m happy they got the grant, and it’s good for the students. Did you not read my last sentence in the post, before you started jerking off? Hey Shitwit what’s inaccurate?
1. $15.5 million is literally pocket change to the DoD. Do you have any clue what their budget is for grants? I’ll give you a hint, you’ll need to take off your shoes and socks and use all your fingers to total it up.
2. You actually believe some people aren’t going to receive salary raises, and some additional people hired wether needed or not?
3. Are you stupid enough, sorry that’s a rhetorical question, to believe there won’t be “junkets” by administrators to Naval Installations. They’re on the beach moron, not Wahoo, Nebraska..
4. Just to tie up loose ends for your sedentary brain cells, no I never applied for a job there?

I definitely like the way you think and express yourself, Thomas.

 

[Tom_PSU]

I definitely like the way you think and express yourself, Thomas.

He caught me after I had already thrown the damn coffee maker in the garbage and calmed down. Fifteen minutes earlier and I’ve really unloaded.

 

[Nitwit]

Another negative reaction to positive news. I just don’t get it. Relax and enjoy the success.

 

[OaktonDave]

Look Dimwit, I’m happy they got the grant, and it’s good for the students. Did you not read my last sentence in the post, before you started jerking off? Hey Shitwit what’s inaccurate?
1. $15.5 million is literally pocket change to the DoD. Do you have any clue what their budget is for grants? I’ll give you a hint, you’ll need to take off your shoes and socks and use all your fingers to total it up.
2. You actually believe some people aren’t going to receive salary raises, and some additional people hired wether needed or not?
3. Are you stupid enough, sorry that’s a rhetorical question, to believe there won’t be “junkets” by administrators to Naval Installations. They’re on the beach moron, not Wahoo, Nebraska..
4. Just to tie up loose ends for your sedentary brain cells, no I never applied for a job there?

Sorry Tom, but there are lots of problems with your post. I have quite a bit of experience with DoD grants, some to ARL, and some of your points aren't realistic. When that DoD issues research grants, it comes with terms that are very much like a contract. ARL doesn't isn't getting $15.5 million to spend as they see fit. There are limits on how much can't be spent and where, and the government enforces it at the risk of the people overseeing the execution of the grant. All this stuff get audited and there are consequences when terms aren't enforced

1. $15.5 million is literally pocket change to the DoD.
True, but so what? Beyond that, competition for research grants, unlike a lot of DoD procurement, is highly, highly competitive and there is no question that performance on one project is considered when evaluating competitors for future grants of a much higher value. ARL earned a great reputation and a lot of creditability by repeatedly delivering what was tasked.

2. You actually believe some people aren’t going to receive salary raises, and some additional people hired wether needed or not?
The problem here is that the grant terms include staffing and salary authorizations that are agreed upon prior to the issuing of the grant. You can't add people in excess of what is authorized and pay them out of the grant, and you can only pay someone what the grant authorizes for the position. If you want to add people (so long as no security clearances are involved) or pay those on the program more, fine, you just can't do it with grant money. Anticipating the question, yes, you can try to game the system, but it's a really stupid to do it. Nothing you think you'll gain from it is worth the risk. It's easy to spot, particularly on smaller programs without high dollar demo deliverables. Want to have the grant pulled and be barred from submitting grant applications for a period of 5-10 year? Engage in this type of nonsense. There was certainly a time when this was common, but there was a massive reform effort in the 90's, primarily driven by security clearance issues, that requires staffing and payment limitations and extensive documentation of all of it.

3. Are you stupid enough, sorry that’s a rhetorical question, to believe there won’t be “junkets” by administrators to Naval Installations. They’re on the beach moron, not Wahoo, Nebraska..
Much the same problem as above, DoD grants include a section on authorized travel that sets the boundaries on where those working on the grant can go and how often. Want to go somewhere else or travel more often? Fine, tell the person overseeing where you're going and why; they'll tell you whether they'll pay for it and get you on base. You can't just decide to visit 3rd Fleet HQ, wander onto base, say hello to a few folks, and put the expense against the grant. Since the grant is with ONR, the only place they are likely to travel is Arlington, VA.

The question of "how much will actually be left for research" assumes that OMR issued a grant without a required deliverable. That didn't happen; there is a small army bureaucrats that check to make sure the requirement is there, and check to make sure its fulfilled. If absolutely nothing else, somewhere at ONR there is an officer or civilian who needs a swell something to put into a Powerpoint presentation that will impress the boss.

I'm pretty cynical about this stuff and have seen the government over charged for lousy work and PMs phone in their jobs. In cases like this, however, the size and scope of the work leave little room to play games without getting caught. The government does a lot of things badly, but good luck and god bless trying to get past the with the bean counters. They know the rules and exist, often at multiple layers, to go over everything in detail, and not a few take great pleasure in "gotcha" moments. It's in everybody's best interests to play it straight, get the inherent benefit of the work, and hope it leads to bigger and better things for all concerned.

 

[Tom_PSU]

Do you write Government Grants? That’s a hell of a lot of words to say “You overreacted”. Yeah, my cynical nature probably should have been more restrained, but that’s not what blew me over the edge.

Ultimately I said it was good for the students who receive great experience working on projects such as this, that plus any benefits the Naval service receives is really all that matters. What truly upset me was Dimwit’s inability to comprehend that that admission. Plus, I really was pissed off about my coffee maker.

 

[GrimReaper]

Do you write Government Grants? That’s a hell of a lot of words to say “You overreacted”. Yeah, my cynical nature probably should have been more restrained, but that’s not what blew me over the edge.

Ultimately I said it was good for the students who receive great experience working on projects such as this, that plus any benefits the Naval service receives is really all that matters. What truly upset me was Dimwit’s inability to comprehend that that admission. Plus, I really was pissed off about my coffee maker.

Turning to more important stuff, did you get a new coffee maker?

 

[OaktonDave]

Do you write Government Grants? That’s a hell of a lot of words to say “You overreacted”. Yeah, my cynical nature probably should have been more restrained, but that’s not what blew me over the edge.

Ultimately I said it was good for the students who receive great experience working on projects such as this, that plus any benefits the Naval service receives is really all that matters. What truly upset me was Dimwit’s inability to comprehend that that admission. Plus, I really was pissed off about my coffee maker.

You're a good guy, Tom, and try avoid anything comes off as personal - just me. I struggle on line at times because the "real" me is pretty sarcastic and that doesn't translate well. I'm very happily retired after 30+ years, but every now and then it's nice to talk shop. (I'm well aware of my long winded tendencies.) Cheers!

 

[Tom_PSU]

Turning to more important stuff, did you get a new coffee maker?

Yes, but good God almighty. The one I threw out I had for over ten years, and I was amazed at the overwhelming selection. One cup, four cups, twenty cups, a myriad of colors, shapes, sizes, regular, espresso, cappuccino. One also either smoked meat or opened cans I never did figure that out. I have to get out more, and investigate what other revolutionary advances have been made in the culinary arts.

 

[DELion]

Port of call: Bayonne, NJ

 

[GrimReaper]

Yes, but good God almighty. The one I threw out I had for over ten years, and I was amazed at the overwhelming selection. One cup, four cups, twenty cups, a myriad of colors, shapes, sizes, regular, espresso, cappuccino. One also either smoked meat or opened cans I never did figure that out. I have to get out more, and investigate what other revolutionary advances have been made in the culinary arts.

I'm an adherent to the KISS philosophy when it comes to these things: go to Costco and pull the closest thing to the one being replaced off the shelf. The one we have has maybe a half dozen features we never use.

 

[Tom_PSU]

I'm an adherent to the KISS philosophy when it comes to these things: go to Costco and pull the closest thing to the one being replaced off the shelf. The one we have has maybe a half dozen features we never use.

I live by myself so I rarely go to COSTCO. Usually just to purchase an occasional clothing item, and that’s because I get to rummage around the way they lay clothing out, i pretend that I’m at a Black Friday Sale.

I shopped for groceries there a while back, and had to stop. I became a damn food bank for the neighborhood. You want 2 or 3 sixty oz bottles of catsup, how about 7 lbs of ribs, 60 rolls of toilet paper, 4 lbs of ground beef, how about 10 croissants, take what you want. Once I foolishly bought a chicken pot pie that was so big it would have satisfied PSU’s O-line. I know there’s a million ways that could have been prevented, but I always seem to be a day late on good ideas.