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.
FOR ORIGINAL ARTICLE REFER TO:http://marine.rutgers.edu/cool/news/admiral.htm