CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Scientists observe immersive demonstrations of how various Marine training facilities work during a visit at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina Dec.7-8, 2016. They received a firsthand look at how some of the training facilities on base operate and how the Marines benefit from them.
Member of the Office of Naval Research participate in the Scientist to Field Program which provides opportunities for members of the ONR and other warfare centers to improve their research, development, testing and evaluation to better serve the Marine Corps.
Rick Kirchner, the Science Advisor for II Marine Expeditionary Force, says there is a void in how much the scientists can understand from a distance. He hopes that helping the scientists see it up close and personal will close that gap.
The staff took a tour of the Infantry Immersion Trainer, viewed static displays of different aircraft with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and an amphibious assault vehicle, and received a class and practical application on room clearing.
The 2nd Maintenance Battalion gave the scientists a demonstration on their 3D printing capabilities; afterwards, the Marines and scientists talked about the advancements they could make together.
Many of the ONR scientists who work on test equipment and electronic gear were able to help brainstorm and network while touring different facilities.
“A lot of these men work on their technologies in their labs but have far and few opportunities to see how it’s used in the field and the conditions their equipment has to work under,” said Kirchner.
Fostering a connection between the Marines and scientists help the Marines share their concerns and needs with a scientist which in turn helps them to better understand the operational environment.
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