RALEIGH, N.C. – The 82nd Airborne Div. formalized its relationship with the University of North Carolina System with the signing of an Educational Partnership Agreement along with the XVIII Airborne Corps in a small ceremony Jan. 28, on the campus of NC State University.
Since taking command, transformation has been a top priority to the division commander and the new educational partnership agreement formally unites two institutions steeped in legacies of excellence.
“It is this generation of Paratroopers that must imagine, develop, and execute how the 82nd is going to fight now and in the future,” said Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue, the 82nd Abn. Div. commanding general. This will require us to innovate from the lowest levels and modernize to ensure the 82nd is equipped, manned, and trained to complete whatever the Nation asks us to do. This partnership helps us do that.”
Collaboration between the division and the university system allows both agencies to harness the cutting edge of knowledge across a broad range of academic disciplines such as science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The EPA fosters innovation efforts by giving Paratroopers access to UNC equipment, technologies, students, and course work.
This relationship existed well before the agreement. Early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, NC State School of Textiles donated nearly 5,000 meters of nonwoven fabric to Fort Bragg. Riggers from the 82nd Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade used the material to make thousands of much needed facemasks for Paratroopers and first responders.
Paratroopers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team have worked to identify several areas of initial interest to include:
○ Wearable technologies to help monitor, predict, and maintain peak soldier performance
○ Collaborations to share the latest technologies in 3D printing
○ Applying predictive analytics to manage and optimize airspace requirements for airborne platforms
○ Additional student projects to develop an application to manage Paratrooper jump logs and track equipment during field deployments
The 82nd Airborne Innovation Program
The All American Division has established its own innovation program to foster a culture of innovation and capture ideas submitted by Paratroopers across the division.
“Paratroopers have had some great, actionable ideas that have the potential to transforming the way we operate in the division,” said Cpt. David Giralt, the division innovation officer. “Some have even been selected to compete at the corps level “Dragon Innovation” challenge.
Earlier this year, three Paratroopers from Falcon Brigade were selected as finalists for the inaugural “Dragon Innovation” challenge for their submission on how to improve the organization competed in the challenge. Each of them “pitched” their idea to a corps innovation panel who chose a winner.
Ssgt. Laurent, a Platoon Sergeant assigned to the 1-504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, presented an idea to streamline the barracks maintenance process because he saw the frustration that his Paratroopers were experiencing. Ssgt. Laurent pitched his idea directly to the XVIII Airborne Corps Commander, Lt. Gen. Kurilla, and he was immediately worked into a larger Army initiative to improve the barracks. Now, he is working directly with the developers of the Army Maintenance App to improve the quality of life in the barracks.
From the aerosol can to the Radio Detection and Ranging (RADAR) system, history is replete with wild ideas that turned into ubiquitous technology. These “looney” ideas proved to be bold and impactful. The humble aerosol can was developed in the late 19th century but wasn’t widely used or appreciated until troops serving in the Pacific Theater needed a way to fight off malaria-carrying bugs with pesticide. The RADAR was a similar case. After it was first developed the technology was proposed to naval authorities around the world but the technology was rejected due to lack of interest.
Ideas can come from anywhere in virtually any form and it’s the mission of the All American Innovation program to listen to those “looney” ideas and give them a platform. We encourage anyone to submit their ideas and help us transform the division into the and help us build lighter, faster, and more lethal teams.
Paratroopers can submit their innovation ideas to the division innovation program through email to AllAmericanInnovation@gmail.com.
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