(DOD Press Release) Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks met via Zoom today with cadets and a newly-commissioned second lieutenant from the Sustainable Infrastructure, Resilience, and Climate Consortium (SIRCC) program at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point (USMA).
Today’s meeting was a precursor to her visit to USMA next week to deliver an address highlighting the impact climate change will have on military operations, and how energy resilience and sustainability efforts improve readiness and advance Department of Defense priorities. While at the academy, she will also meet with administrators, faculty, and cadets to discuss a broad range of issues.
During the meeting, Deputy Secretary Hicks thanked the nine cadets and lieutenant for their commitment to service and discussed the SIRCC program and how future Army leaders might approach the challenge of sustainability, resilience, and future climate-related issues.
SIRCC is a partnership between West Point and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment (ASA [IE&E]) to educate future Army leaders on how sustainability and resilience can increase force readiness while addressing the threats of climate change.
The Consortium enables resourcing to leverage the intellectual capacity of USMA faculty, staff, and cadets to conduct research to address resilience- and climate-related challenges facing the Army and the nation, while establishing a sustainability, resilience, and climate community of interest that helps USMA remain competitive in attracting and retaining talent.
During academic years 2020-2022, ASA (IE&E) provided funding to support cadet capstone projects to address real world issues facing the Army. Beginning in September 2022, ASA (IE&E) committed to funding nearly $750,000 per year to launch and support SIRCC.
This past year’s project focused on challenges associated with electrifying tactical and medium- and heavy-duty non-tactical vehicles.
Academic year 2023-2024 projects will support USMA and ASA (IE&E)’s effort to make West Point 100% energy resilient using carbon-pollution free electricity. . . . (read more)
Can military academy cadets help the @usarmy become more resilient in the face of climate change? I just spoke with young creative minds at @WestPoint_USMA who are tackling the challenge head-on. Innovation must come from all levels. We are always stronger as a team.… pic.twitter.com/xTzPKrRIAN
— Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks (@DepSecDef) August 22, 2023
This tweet got ratio’d pretty bad, really bad in the comments.
As the Deputy SECDEF, Hicks is the highest ranking woman currently serving in the United States Department of Defense.
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