National Training Systems Association.

Companies in the simulation, training, mission planning/rehearsal and support services industry are represented through membership in the National Training Systems Association (NTSA), an affiliate of NDIA since 1992.

NTSA provides the training, simulation, mission planning, related support systems and training services industries a recognized, focused, formal organization to represent and promote their business interests in the marketplace. The association provides a forum to communicate the full capability and broad characteristics of all of the elements of training systems and mission planning to include associated support services.

Founded in 1988, as a non-profit corporation, the association fosters communication between the training industry, planners and acquisition agencies regarding requirements, procurement issues and policies. An important aim of NTSA is to see that all aspects of training, mission planning and rehearsal, training services and training range requirements are highlighted as independent and important "line items" in the overall planning, programming, budgeting and acquisition process.

The International Training and Simulation Association (ITSA) has been established to strengthen NTSA's international access and to better promote training and simulation to the international community. The world-wide headquarters for ITSA is co-located with NTSA, and the first regional organization, ITSA Europe, is located in the UK. Link to ITSA from the NTSA Web site, or go directly to http://www.itsassociation.org.

The Modeling & Simulation Professional Certification Commission (M&SPCC), led by NTSA and composed of members from industry, academia and government has begun the process of certifying Simulation Professionals. Link to M&SPCC from the NTSA Web site, or go directly to http://www.simprofessional.org.

Thomas J. Leising, chair of the NTSA Executive Committee, is the director of business development for the AAI Corporation located in Hunt Valley, Md. Employed with the AAI Corporation for twenty years, Mr. Leising is responsible for AAI Defense Systems business development in the electro-mechanical, and training and simulation business areas. Earlier in his career at AAI, Mr. Leising's responsibilities included business development from AAI Washington Operations, manager of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) National Training Center located at Fort Huachuca, Az., and various training and engineering related activities throughout the organization.

Leising earned a Master of Engineering degree in administration from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Science degree in electronics engineering from the Ohio Institute on Technology.

In addition to NTSA, he is a member of the Navy League, Association of the United States Army, National Defense Industrial Association, Army Aviation Association of America, Association of Old Crows and the Infantry Association.

Association Objectives

* Represent to government the non-partisan business interests of the simulation, training, mission planning and rehearsal and support services industries.

* Increase the value of training systems and services provided by industry to government.

* Inform and educate the legislative, policy-making, acquisition and regulatory functions of government, including Congress, the Defense Department and other agencies.

* Provide contact between acquisition activities and the industry to better communicate with regard to procurement issues and policies.

* Promote the highest level of responsibility and business ethics among members.

* Act as a clearing house for business policy, ethics and practices affecting industry.

* Provide industry wide bulletins and news reports.

* Actively participate with, inform and support the training, mission planning and rehearsal activities of other industry associations such as AIA, EIA ITEA and the other industrial divisions of NDIA.

NTSA Events Schedule for 2002-2003

Mark your calendars for the following events:

SEPTEMBER 16-18, 2002

Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) Conference & Exhibit

Hilton-Alexandria Mark Center

Alexandria, VA (#21L0)

OCTOBER 22-24, 2002

VV&A/Foundations 2002 Conference & Workshops

Johns Hopkins University 

Applied Physics Laboratory/Kossiakoff Center

Laurel, MD (#31V0)

DECEMBER 2-5, 2002

Interservice/Industry, Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC)

Orlando County Convention Center

Orlando, FL (#3250)

APRIL 29-MAY 1, 2003

ITEC 2003

London, England

www.itec.co.uk

Please check the NTSA website at: http://www.trainingsystems.org for additional information on all the above events or call Kerry Davidson at [phone].

Rear Adm. Fred Lewis, USN (Ret.) brings over 32 years of Navy experience in many areas of training to his role as the executive director of the National Training Systems Association. His reputation as a leader in the fields of training and simulation makes him the ideal director for the growing affiliate association. Lewis can be reached at [phone] and e-mail: [e-mail].

Barbara McDaniel. As director of Conferences and Programs, Barbara is the primary point of contact for all questions concerning I/ITSEC. Barbara has been with NTSA since 1992 and directly involved with the I/ITSEC since 1995. Barbara can be reached at [phone] and e-mail: [e-mail].

Kerry Davidson. As director of NTSA Membership and Meeting Planning, Kerry is the primary point of contact for all questions concerning NTSA membership. She is also the one to contact if you have questions concerning NTSA conferences. Kerry can be reached at [phone] and e-mail: [e-mail].

Capt. Nelson P. Jackson, USN (Ret.) has 25 years of Navy Surface Warfare experience, plus more than 19 years in the association covering technology with particular emphasis in training and simulation issues. He is the focal point for ITEC matters both in Europe and Asia. Jackson can be reached at [phone] and e-mail: [e-mail].