Tag: Geospatial Solutions

What is a GIS guy doing at a training simulation conference? Having a lot of fun — and learning that GIS makes everything better.

By Art Kalinski, GISP

Last week I attended the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) in Orlando, Florida. It was an international gathering of more than 16,000 attendees, both military and civilian, that featured some 550 exhibits focusing primarily on military-related training and simulation. I know that Geospatial Solutions is a GIS-focused publication and that most of you are GIS professionals, but this conference clearly demonstrated the merging of many disciplines in formerly unrelated communities, including GIS.

When we hear the word “simulators,” we generally think of flight simulators — and there were many of those on display — but the exhibits also included ground combat, medical, logistic, and cultural immersion simulators. This conference demonstrated the most realistic and up-to-date training and simulation tools available in the world today, and GIS played a fundamental role as the underpinning of many applications. Autodesk, ESRI, and 3D model builders Precision Lightworks all had booths at the four-day event.

One interesting terminology quirk that I noticed is the difference in usage of the term “database.” We GIS folk generally use the word to describe our vector data and attributes, with imagery as separate layer. But in the training environment, the term is used to describe all the datasets that feed the simulators, including maps, imagery, GIS data, DEMs, CAD drawings, photos, objects, characters, TINS, wireframes, draping textures, skins, etc. The overlap with the video gaming community is significant, but GIS is growing in importance as many applications strive for real-world connectivity.

Experiencing the Exhibit Hall

Some of the exhibits showed a significant investment, not just in the technology but in the displays themselves. It was apparent that training and simulation is a big business, with lots of dollars at stake. One exhibitor summed it up this way: “With aircraft and ships costing tens and hundreds of millions each, simulators are a low-cost way of building competence without risking expensive equipment.” The same holds true for soldiers in the field. Actual combat is not the place to conduct training, and everyone is striving to create training that is so realistic that it is indiscernible from actual combat.

Many exhibitors showcased new display technology, such as very high-resolution projectors from Sony. Most simulators used large flat screens, tripled in some cases to provide panoramic views. One flight simulator used nine separate screens, but even more impressive were large concave screens similar to IMAX. that provided realistic and seamless images, even in 3D.

Some trainers used head-mounted displays (HMDs) for combat action scenarios, but an unusual addition was a 10-foot spherical cage for humans that resembled a giant hamster ball. The subject enters the cage wearing a wireless HMD, and can move in any direction responding to the HMD display and program. The cage was so well designed that it moved with just light finger pressure. Users indicated that getting used to walking or even running in the cage became natural quite rapidly.

Some of the exhibits showed significant expense, not just the technology but the displays themselves.  The Augusta Westland helo trainer was one example.

It was apparent that training and simulation is a big business with lots of dollars at stake. One exhibitor summed it up stating, “With aircraft and ships costing tens and hundreds of millions each, simulators are a low cost way of building competence without risking expensive equipment.” The same holds true for soldiers in the field.  Actual combat is not the place to conduct training and everyone is striving to create training that is so realistic that it is indiscernible from actual combat

I expected to see more simulators that imitated the movement of flight, but as one of the exhibitors told me, the motion and G forces of jet fighters are so great that simulators can’t even come close — so they replicate other aspects of the experience instead. Two motion simulators that were effective included a helicopter flight and gunner simulator, and a Hummer simulator that recreated the motion of a vehicle struck by an improvised explosive device (IED). The shock and rollover over of the vehicle trained soldiers how exit a turned over vehicle while under fire, the goal being to simulate and practice what could happen so there were no surprise situations.

Lockheed Martin featured a shipboard engine-room simulator that enabled the training of engineering personnel by simulating various casualties and damage control actions, without risk to people or equipment. The operation was very similar to a video game, with realistic characters responding to the commands of the trainee. As a former Navy Surface Warfare Officer I had to try my hand at the Kongsberg ship bridge simulator. I can attest that not only did the simulator look good, the physics, behavior and reaction of the ship was dead on accurate.

There were numerous small arms trainers and ranges on display that were capable of training individuals, multiple trainees, and even groups acting as teams within a combat environment. I also saw countless examples of wearable gear that permitted simulation of small arms combat using of laser weapons to simulate hits. Numerous urban building mock-up trainers incorporated video displays, realistic sounds, and even explosions and smoke.

Medical simulation included traumatic injuries and triage scenarios played via video screens. Sickeningly realistic moulage kits imitated all types of injuries, complete with exposed bones and spurting blood. There were many exhibits of peripheral equipment and supplies such a carrying cases, communication gear and even very high quality surface coated mirrors for projectors and displays. One little gem that I hands-on tested at the ESRI booth was a 3D mouse by 3D Connexion.  The “Space Navigator” was the smoothest, most intuitive, most precise, quality feeling mouse I’ve ever used.  I’m getting one.

An area I found fascinating — because I didn’t expect to see it — featured exhibitors that focused on human simulation and cultural immersion. DI-Guy and MetaVR were displaying human simulations of crowds that looked realistic and could be programmed to behave in various ways, with each character acting as both an individual and part of the group. The photo shows a Mideast group walking toward an infantry squad while hiding two terrorists in their midst.  Some of the video characters are a little blocky, but new techniques derived from the video gaming industry include draping “skins” on mesh frames instead of boxes or tins. The end result is smoother-looking characters and objects, such as flowing robes.

One exhibitor that displayed human motion capture tools used by Hollywood to create animations. They had a young dancer wearing a capture suit whose motion was transferred to a character on a video display. She won the unofficial endurance record since she danced continuously during the four-day exhibit hall operation.

Another exhibitor, the Tatitlek Corporation, takes cultural immersion to the extreme with live, culturally correct role players that recreate Middle Eastern environments. The live players create the look, sounds, and feel of being in the region, so that it’s not a shock for our troops when they arrive in-theater. Tatitlek displayed one example of their cultural simulations: a sheik’s tent complete with rugs, seating, accessories, and even staged arguments and police intervention.

Enhancing Reality with GIS and Imagery

So how does GIS fit into this community? As I learned from people that have been in this business for years, training simulation first evolved from physical mock-ups to computer-based, CAD-like “cartoon” environments that were only loosely tied to reality. It was considered a challenge to get an image up on the screen that represented reality and make it move around in response to the trainee, but that’s no longer good enough. Now imagery and GIS-referenced data is enhancing the entire environment.

Lockheed Martin was a big presence at the conference, and created a buzz with flight simulation systems that incorporated photo-realistic and photo-accurate oblique imagery and 3D models into geo-referenced applications that simulate weather conditions and even provide night-time views. This kind of accurate simulation achieves realism not previously seen, and now has captured the attention of mission planners, who have significantly different needs from trainers. The mission planners, as their title implies, plan real missions just before actual execution. For their work they need up-to-date information that is accurate, geo-referenced, and measurable. They cannot tolerate made-up data or imagery — it may be perfectly fine for training, but could be disastrous if relied upon for real execution. The bar has been raised.

Attending I/ITSEC, I could see the growing convergence of GIS, CAD, BIM models (see my August column for the BIM – GIS convergence), computer display technology, and the training/simulation applications. It’s amazing to watch how everything is coming together. An especially interesting system displayed by the Navy was a flight simulator that collected brain wave data and recorded images of the pilot’s eyeball movements.

As I viewed this rig I couldn’t help but recall a photo I saw at Moody Air Force Base of an early flight trainer crafted from plywood and broom handles. Imagine how alien this new Navy system would look to the designer of that plywood trainer. I wonder where we will be in 20 more years.

 

By Art Kalinski, GISP

Attending the GEOINT 2008 conference was like drinking from a fire hose: too many superb sessions by top leaders in the field, and more than 120 exhibitors on the show floor. In a short amount of time, this community has transformed itself. Just three years ago there were many contractors offering data and imagery, but very little in the way of integration and analysis tools. This year almost all efforts were pointed toward integration, with fast evaluation and response.

The opening session keynote speaker was the current Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence, retired Air Force Lt .Gen. James R. Clapper, Jr. He addressed the need for integration of intel sources and explained how difficult it is to achieve, because of security concerns about sharing data among agencies and coalition forces. He expressed apprehension about managing the flood of data — how will we sort out meaningful information from the torrent? Clapper discussed the growing uneasiness over our vulnerability to cyber attacks, and noted that new developments in biometrics make identification of terrorists easier, but complicate the ability of our forces to infiltrate hostile groups.

General Clapper then compared the Cold War, which presented us with an enemy that was static and predictable, with the irregular warfare of today. Gone is the old environment that permitted the intel community to take days to identify and evaluate threats; now we must identify threats in mere hours by observing patterns of life and individual behavior. Clapper stated that we have become very good at precise attacks, but we still have a long way to go to prevent attacks.

Integration on Display

In the exhibit hall there were countless examples of improvements to existing technology, with many efforts toward data integration. There were also a few new developments on display.

BAE Systems created a significant buzz — including strong mention by another keynote speaker, Maj. Gen. John M. Custer — with its new SOCET GXP system. The system grew out of SOCET SET and breaks down the wall between image analysis and geospatial analysis to an environment that the company calls Extreme Analysis. It combines imagery, geo data, metadata, attributes, and analysis tools into one unified package.

Lockheed Martin demonstrated a very interesting capability. Starting with 3D models created by PLW with Pictometry imagery, Lockheed transforms the models with complex algorithms to reflect night-time views or varying weather conditions, with very realistic results.

Speaking of Lockheed, the aerospace company used the conference to announce that it has signed an agreement to collaborate with Pictometry. The two companies will develop next-generation visualization tools for both domestic applications and in-theater, near-real time oblique imaging and 3D model creation using manned and unmanned aircraft.

FortiusOne demonstrated its Web-based service that bridges GIS and GeoWeb services with very user-friendly tools that access a huge global database of coverage designed for non-GIS-trained users. The Web service not only permits the viewing of maps and data, it also allows viewers to add their own data. One example was flood maps that could be enhanced with local data and then saved as printed documents or PDFs.

I also saw a demonstration of Zebra Technologies’ holographic video table, which displays full-motion video as a 3D hologram similar to the still holograms that Zebra has previously developed. While viewing the holodeck-style platform, I half-expected to see Princess Leia appear and ask for help. The technology is still a long way from prime time, but it was amazing to see full-motion video as a hologram.

Getting Results

The most impressive keynote session was given by Maj. Gen. John M. Custer, Commander of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center at Ft. Huachuca. He was probably the most passionate speaker, and clearly had a sense of urgency about his mission. He heads the intel training efforts for the U.S. Army, and described how they transformed training of intel people to be as realistic as possible so that soldiers leaving the training can hit the ground running.

General Custer addresses the crowd during his keynote speech.

That’s one thing about military training that impressed me early in my career: they have to get results. You can’t pretend to get a ship under way, you have to actually do it on schedule. You can’t philosophize about getting rounds on target, you have to actually do it. Having an education background, I was completely dumbfounded when I joined the Navy and saw 19-year-old kids do more effective teaching than I had experienced in high school and college. There is no better example than the work done at Ft. Huachuca.

General Custer played a very fast-paced video showing the results; it depicted intel specialists in the field supporting their own unit under fire. They were receiving intel from many sources — satellite imagery, database from interrogations, intercepted communications, aerial imagery, down-linked video, and video from field robots in hostile fire locations — all of which were integrated and analyzed into actionable intelligence that saves lives and accomplishes the mission.

Getting there was not easy, and the General had to overcome many hurdles, including getting live data feeds so the soldiers could train on current, real-life data. Custer’s goal was to have a training environment that was absolutely indistinguishable from the actual combat environment. He indicated that all tools are moving from thick clients to thin clients and that UAVs are playing and increasing roll in the battlefield. Brigades will be working with up to 32 UAVs, with 18 of them in the air. As a result, their data centers will be dealing with petabytes of data. Custer cited an interesting statistic he developed. He observed that in each war cycle since WWII the number of troops was only 10 percent of the previous war, but the needed data bandwidth increased 100-fold.

The video was powerful, and Custer shared how he had personally presented the flag at over 25 military funerals to grieving widows and parents — a life-changing event. I can tell you from personal experience that he is absolutely correct. It’s one thing to attend a funeral of someone that has lived a long and fulfilling life. It’s totally different to see very young children standing in front of the boots and helmet, knowing that they will never know their dad who died for his brothers and to keep the rest of us safe. General Custer received the longest, strongest standing ovation that I’ve seen in years.

As I looked around at the crowd I reminded myself that these are the people that have been instrumental in preventing another major attack on this county. I was reminded of the Irish Republican Army after a thwarted bombing of 10 Downing Street. The spokesman was quoted saying that Scotland Yard was lucky this time, but the Yard will have to be lucky every time — and the IRA will only have to be lucky once. I’m hoping that with everyone’s hard work we will make our own luck.

By Art Kalinski, GISP

GeoPDFs have become a very valuable tool for the GIS community, but it has been a slow evolution. My first exposure to GeoPDFs came about five years ago, when I saw a new GIS map-publishing medium offered by Layton Graphics. The local Atlanta firm started out as a microfilm copy specialist, then slowly moved into digital media. While I was in the GIS shop at the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), I would occasionally get a visit from one of their salespeople, but they really didn’t have anything we needed.

As time progressed, Layton Graphics evolved further into digital publishing, and eventually into the Adobe Acrobat format. I continued to get an occasional visit, and I always gave them 10 minutes of my time. As the years progressed, however, I grew in age and my patience shrunk proportionately, so when I received a visit from them again in 2003 I barely gave them three minutes.

But to quote my uncle, “Eventually even a blind pig will find an acorn.” The sales rep showed me a new Layton Graphics product based on Adobe technology — and it fit a real need perfectly. For the first time, my perfunctory meeting grew into two hours as I invited more and more ARC staff members to sit in on this new product demo.

What Layton Graphics — now known as TerraGo Technologies — had created was the GeoPDF format, plus tools that manipulated the files in Adobe Reader. It was a brilliant new geospatial publishing medium. For those of you who are not familiar with TerraGo, let me explain the features that caught my attention.

For years, we published our ARC GIS data on CDs (primarily as Shapefiles) and included a copy of ArcExplorer for those users who didn’t have a GIS. The problem with providing raw GIS data to inexperienced users is that it typically resulted in cartographically poor maps, many of which were truly terrible.

ESRI’s Map Publisher partially solved that problem by permitting the creation of a GIS-based map as an MDF, which retained the original cartography of the publisher. The only problem was that the user had to download Map Reader, the MDF, and all the GIS data layers. Additionally, if there was a problem with Map Reader pointing to any of the data, the map would not print. Some of those problems were solved in later versions, but it is still not as elegant a solution as TerraGo’s: a single file viewable in Adobe Reader.

In ESRI’s ArcGIS, users create maps using the data layers, colors, and symbology of their choice. When the GeoPDF is created using TerraGo Publisher (previously known as Map2PDF), the desired “look” will be maintained, but it won’t be a dumb map; the file is actually a self-contained GIS viewing environment. Users can zoom in and out, pan, and — using the table of contents to the left of the map view — turn layers on and off. There is even a query tool that permits the display of attributes as users click on the geographic features. The map layers can be GIS vector data or background ortho imagery. All these manipulations can be performed using the ubiquitous, free Acrobat Reader from Adobe.

The thing that makes the GeoPDF so remarkable is that the GIS map layout, and all GIS data, travels as one single file: no lost or mis-pointed data! It’s foolproof for the receiver, and is very intuitive even for users not trained in GIS.

But it doesn’t end there if the receiver is willing to download TerraGo Desktop, a free collection of even more sophisticated tools. The solution, which until recently was known as the GeoPDF Toolbar, offers users the ability to publish and collaborate on the same GeoPDF file via the Internet (annotations created on the map are viewable by all linked viewers). They can also measure distance, area, and direction, and view vehicle locations if GPS tracking data is available.

This interactive collaboration capability really got my attention for homeland security and first-responder applications, especially in mutual aid situations. Just imagine creating a compact GIS project of a disaster location, then quickly sending the single GeoPDF to anyone responding, even those who are unfamiliar with the area or with GIS software. The annotations can be saved as Shapefiles, which makes the GeoPDF an ideal data collection environment.

TerraGo designed the GeoPDF format with an extensive capability to store and catalog large and complex datasets. That’s one reason why the Army Corps of Engineers has published its entire collection of world maps as GeoPDF files. The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is another federal user taking advantage of the format.

Discerning Differences

There has been a Kabuki dance going on between TerraGo, ESRI, and Adobe as they try not to step on each other’s intellectual-property toes. TerraGo and Adobe worked together to get GeoPDF support in Adobe Reader. Adobe and ESRI partnered to extend the ISO 3200 specifications for PDFs to include geospatial. In the meantime, TerraGo is creating GeoPDFs from ArcMap and ESRI is creating PDFs with the proposed geospatial extension to ISO 32000.

Now that TerraGo isn’t the only option anymore, the question for many of us is, What’s the difference between TerraGo’s GeoPDFs and geospatial PDFs created by ESRI software? For simple map creation, the answer is: not much. The Adobe solution and the TerraGo solution are very similar now that TerraGo has signed an alliance agreement with Adobe.

By opening the door, TerraGo hopes to reach many more users to promote the added functionality of their Desktop tools. Specifically, the added functionality enables users to perform the following tasks:

• Use drawing tools to mark up maps and collaborate between users in remote locations. The remote users don’t need GIS software or special training.
• Convert the mark-up graphics to GIS data. This makes a GeoPDF a very simple, low-cost field GIS data collection tool. There’s no need for additional GIS licenses to do simple field data collection. This same capability permits the export of the data as Shapefiles or KML files.
• Create complex linked collections of maps as map books, or combine many maps into a large mosaic.
• Retain and enable hyperlinks to other documents, files, and HTML sites.
• Display AVL (automatic vehicle locator) GPS data to show the movement of vehicles on the GeoPDF map.

In addition, according to users of both types of files, many of the common capabilities seem to be more robust and work better in the TerraGo environment. For example, there are more problems selecting attributes in an Acrobat map than in a TerraGo GeoPDF. TerraGo has had years of experience to refine its solution and create more robust, reliable tools.

The simple conclusion is that both options perform the key job of creating cartographically sound maps in a GIS viewing environment. Both are georeferenced. Both provide attribute query. Both provide the ability to turn layers on and off, pan, zoom, measure distances, and obtain coordinates. The subtle differences only become noticeable as you use both solutions. Whether you require the additional capabilities of a TerraGo GeoPDF — such as the collaboration and Shapefile creation — will ultimately depend on your needs.

By Art Kalinksi, GISP

Three weeks ago, I attended the Second Annual Synergy Conference and Expo in southern Florida. The operations and intelligence conference was organized by Nancy Wheeler and Brigadier General Billy Bingham, USAF (Ret). Although both are retired from intel, they continue to work in the community through their support of the Government Emerging Technology Alliance and the conference co-sponsor, the United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM).

The conference was very well organized and was a superb opportunity for civilians, contractors, and all ranks of military personnel to interact freely. Junior enlisted personnel, such as Air Force Sergeant Barrett and Senior Airman Roach, who had hands-on Predator image analysis experience, were given as much attention as their senior counterparts.

I’m writing this column not as a knowledgeable intel guy, but rather as an intel outsider with a GIS focus. Although I served 20 years in the Navy, my experience with the Navy intel community was very limited. The “spooks,” as we called them, were usually cloistered behind cipher-lock security doors in rooms that were impervious to electronic spying, where disruptive background music thwarted any eavesdropping. Occasionally, someone reminiscent of the Wizard of Oz door guard would open a security window and pass us a scrap of classified paper telling us to do something or sharing some very limited information. We “ops pukes” would then act on the intelligence, sometimes blindly depending on the source. At the time, that was the model common to all branches of the military, with its origins going back to Napoleon’s army.

At Synergy, I learned that the old Napoleonic model is changing dramatically; the conference title confirmed the evolution in thinking and action. Synergy refers to the merging of Operations and Intelligence divisions, and is spurred by changing operational needs — specifically, the increasing need for speed. According to General Bingham, gone is the time when operational forces reacted to intelligence within days. Now, even a reaction time of hours is not good enough; instead, it must be measured in minutes. Additionally, many of the operational forces are also major intelligence collectors.

In the old days, the need for security trumped the need for fast response. Information was secured through multiple layers of security and compartmentalization. Even if there was a bad apple who leaked information, very few individuals possessed enough information to cause serious damage.

Today, that model is changing because of the rapid changes to the operational situation. However, much of our satellite imagery, sources, and methods are still carefully protected, with limited access by our operational forces. That’s the key reason I joined my current employer: to get very high-resolution, but unclassified, oblique imagery into the hands of our operational ground troops quickly. (In fact, I attended the conference because Pictometry will be an exhibitor next year, partnering with Lockheed Martin to install oblique imagery cameras on the Predator and perhaps the Osprey.)

The keynote speaker, Lt. General Mark Owen of USSTRATCOM, discussed the evolution of the command’s mission. Historically, USSTRATCOM was primarily involved in strategic nuclear deterrence, but its mission has been extended to cover all WMDs, space warfare, and cyberspace.

Colonel Stuart Maberry, USAF, addressed the problems associated with irregular warfare. His presentation reminded me of a visionary Naval War College Review article written back in 1989 by CDR Steven Rose that described the array of threats we would face, including chemical weapons, biological attacks, and even nano-technology. Rose mused that one day we might long for the “good old days” when all we had to worry about were nuclear weapons. I can relate to that, having served in sensitive weapons assignments. Nuclear weapons require significant technical skill and ongoing maintenance if one hopes to achieve nuclear yields, as opposed to just a dirty bomb. The other dubious upside of a nuclear attack is that you know that you’ve been attacked, as well as when and where. This information may then point to the attacker.

That may not be the case with cyber, chemical, and biological attacks that could seem like accidents or natural outbreaks. Add to that the relative simplicity of creation and delivery, and the fact that some of our enemies have no concern for collateral damage — or even their own lives — and the problem gets very serious. The only effective defense seems to be very good intelligence and constant vigilance.

Major General Michael Ennis USMC of the CIA discussed current intelligence efforts, with a focus on human intelligence collection. It was interesting to note how valuable he considered open-source information as a way of confirming intel collected from other sources. He indicated that Internet blogs and Web sites, because of their numbers, are sometimes a superior source of information. He also expressed concern over the chasm between the ops and intel groups, and the walls that still exist between domestic and overseas collection, as well as the cultural differences between military and homeland agencies (such as the ATF and FBI).

The vendor expo section had a strong focus on data management and data mining; countless products addressed the complexity of managing a flood of data. I observed numerous products and services that were not easily understandable. In many cases I couldn’t tell if I was looking at vaporware or I just wasn’t smart enough to understand that I was looking at a marvelous new development. After talking to some attendees, I suspect that it was a little of both.

Of course homeland security agencies, all the military branches, and the intelligence community are big users of GIS technology, so one would expect ESRI to be an exhibitor. Indeed, ESRI had a booth demonstrating ArcGIS and ArcGIS-related products, including custom applications, but I didn’t see anything new other than some statistical analysis packages and discussions about Image Server. Spatial Analyst seems to be more important to the intel community than to most other GIS users I’ve seen, who are more involved in cataloging than analysis.

ERDAS demonstrated its wide array of GIS data and image processing software, including the universal data translator TITAN. Adobe demonstrated its geo-referenced PDF maps, as well as publishing and collaboration tools. In the coming weeks I’m going to learn about (and report on) the differences between PDFs and the capabilities of TerraGo Technologies’ GeoPDFs.

Zebra Imaging showed examples of its 3D holograms of buildings and neighborhoods. Although they looked very impressive, it was difficult to assess the benefit holograms offer over other visualization tools. I believe that we are still early in the life cycle of this promising technology, and I look forward to seeing how it will evolve.

In one of the closing plenary sessions, LTC Casey Carey discussed the Sons of Iraq program, which (along with the surge) changed the entire dynamic in that country. By enhancing community relations and bringing Iraqis into the fold, intelligence gathering and the effectiveness of all coalition forces was greatly improved. This was a complex effort that required imaginative thinking. Life was simple when all we asked the military to do was kill people and break stuff. Now they also have to be military tacticians, spies, intelligence analysts, public works engineers, economic developers, diplomats, and even social workers. As if that isn’t enough, most of them are very young, without the benefit of college degrees or years of experience.

As part of a panel discussion on mega-trends, Bob Gourley of Crucial Point, LLC, talked about the convergence of PCs and cell phones; there will be more than 6 billion G3-type phones in use worldwide by 2014. Add to that the changing rules governing domestic origins of calls, and we have a very daunting surveillance task. The panel also discussed In-Q-Tel, the nonprofit incubator for CIA support companies. One of In-Q-Tel’s success stories was the creation of Keyhole, which was later acquired by Google as Google Earth.

There are three themes of the conference that I can’t overemphasize. First of all, GIS and related image processing software, along with data mining software, are growing in importance as the environment of the intelligence community grows increasingly sophisticated and complex. Second, there are many more people, military and civilian, involved in this work than the average person would imagine. Third, if you know any new graduates with GIS or computer science backgrounds, let them know that there are some very interesting career opportunities in the intel communities — the work is serious and significantly more interesting than printing road maps or maintaining a parcel tax map.

My hat is off to the legions of military and civilian workers that are currently operating to keep us safe. They need all the support we can provide, and I hope our leaders keep politics out of these profoundly important issues. My overarching impression is that we have a lot of very smart military and civilian people spending countless hours to protect our interests. It’s very hard work in a constantly changing environment of one-upmanship. The classic Mad Magazine Spy vs. Spy cartoon serves as a good analogy, and I saw the cartoon included in several presentations. The difference is that the stakes are very high, and the results of failure not funny.