A word from NDIA's Vice President of Operations.

Dear NDIA Members:

NDIA is once again approaching year-end with a record of success and accomplishment in fulfilling its mission to advocate, promote and provide. These three pillars of NDIA's mission statement are all supported by the robust activities of our divisions and industrial committees. Led by very capable representatives of our member companies who serve selflessly in pursuit of facilitating and improving the cooperation and collaboration between government and defense industry, our divisions and committees provide a valuable service to America's war fighters and first responders. I want to issue a special "thanks" to each of our divisions and industrial committees for their continued exceptional support of NDIA mission and goals.

Two thousand five has produced significant changes in the leadership of NDIA's divisions and industrial committees. Retired Army Brig. Gen. Dean Ertwine (Battelle) is now co-chair of the Chemical-Biological Defense Division. Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. John Hawley (CollaborX Inc.) succeeded Navy Rear Adm. Robert Gormley as chairman of the Combat Survivability Division. P. Michael Becraft (SI International) is now chairman of the Homeland Security Division. Dennis Kennelly (AMS) replaced Andy Button as chairman of the International Division. Candace Vessella (BAE) has succeeded retired Army Lt. Col. David Armour as chairman of the Legislative Information Division. and Timothy Bagniefski (General Dynamics) has replaced Mark McCormick as chairman of the Munitions Technology Division. NDIA extends its sincere thanks to each of the retiring chairmen for their service to the association and its goals and objectives.

Two thousand five has also seen structural changes to several of its divisions. The Homeland Security Division has completely revamped its Executive Board membership and has embarked upon an aggressive annual program of activities that should serve to firmly establish NDIA presence in the homeland security mission area. The Tank Automotive Division has been disestablished, with its Combat Vehicle and Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Sections elevated to division status. The Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Division will continue to be chaired by Larry Brewer (ESSI), while negotiations are nearing conclusion for appointment of a new chairman to lead the Combat Vehicle Division.

Division activities of significant note for 2005 include Defense Department approval of C4ISR Division's first-ever industry-originated Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration, Space Division's "Science and Engineering Workforce" study efforts in support of DDR&E, Health Affairs Division's continued study efforts into the Defense Department's graduate medical education program, Systems Engineering Division's continued key role in assisting the Defense Department in implementing systems engineering in its acquisition processes, Expeditionary Warfare Division's initiation of a "sea basing technologies" study, and the increased engagement of the Missile Defense Agency by the Missile Defense Division. Also, the Procurement Division, in conjunction with the Chemical Biological Defense Acquisition Initiatives Forum, has made significant strides in elevating the discourse regarding the Department of Homeland Security's implementation of the SAFETY Act, resulting in new lines of communication and dialog between defense industry and DHS to improve implementation of the act's provisions.

Two thousand six will see the introduction of planned initiatives to increase NDIA'S emphasis on the small business sector of defense industry, the establishment of a Manufacturing Technology Division, and the re-establishment of an Industrial Committee of Tank Automotive Producers, among other efforts to continue to improve upon our coverage of all sectors of defense industry.

NDIA's Operations Staff looks forward to continuing our service to the membership at large in the coming year. As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome.

Sincerely,

Mai. Gen Barry D. Bates, USA (Ret.) Vice President, Operations National Defense Industrial Association