Capability Surprise for the U.S. Naval Forces: Initial Observations and Insights (interim report) (2013)

This interim report, conducted at the request of the Chief of Naval Operations, addresses the complex subject of capability surprise as it might impact U.S. Naval Forces. Capability surprise has multiple dimensions, including time, mission domains, anticipation of enabling technologies, physical phenomena, and new tactics that may enable surprise. Either alone or in combination, accelerating new global technology advancements might constitute the basis of a capability surprise. The interim report provides a potential naval framework for dealing with surprise. The final report is expected to completed by the summer of 2013.
 

 Improving the Decision Making Abilities of Small Unit Leaders (2012)

This report, conducted at the request of the Commanding General of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command, recommends operational and technical approaches for improving the decision making abilities of small unit leaders, including potential acquisition and experimentation efforts that can be undertaken by the U.S. Marine Corps. Since the Marine Corps is engaged in hybrid warfare, in which all modes of warfare are employed, such as conventional weapons, terrorism, and disruptive technologies, the report examines the various complex environments, the existing abilities and gaps of the small unit leaders to include technology, skill sets, training and measures of effectiveness.

 National Security Implications of Climate Change for U.S. Naval Forces (2011)

This report, conducted at the request of the Chief of Naval Operations, addresses the potential national security implications of climate change on the U.S. Naval Forces. While the timing, degree, and consequences of future climate change impacts remain uncertain, many changes are already underway in different regions of the world, such as in the Arctic, and call for action by U.S. naval leadership in response. The report provides both the near- and long-term implications for U.S. Naval Forces of trends such as increases in territorial disputes in the Arctic, elevated demand for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and sea level rise.