Congress is Helping to Break Down the M&S Verticals

The major takeaway from the 2024 I/ITSEC M&S Congressional Caucus Meeting is the core caucus members and the broader US Congress are bringing M&S to bear with their legislation across high-risk communities, well beyond military training enterprises.

The use cases of M&S enabled by congressional legislation are synchronized quite well with many national priorities evident in the 24/7 news cycle.

Rep. Bobby Scott (Virginia) discussed the potential of using M&S for a number of purposes, with reliance at the top of his list. Noting the Hampton Roads, Virginia region is increasingly prone to the impact of global warming, he highlighted a digital twin of the region is being used to study and minimize the risks from flooding and other outcomes from storms. Rep. John Rutherford (Florida) spoke several times on the opportunities to enhance law enforcement training through M&S, for decision-making to weapons use to learning emergency medical care procedures and other tasks.

While the panel members emphasized M&S is not only for military training, they addressed other issues of relevance to the overflowing crowd. Reps. Darren Soto (Florida) and Maxwell Frost (Florida) emphasized the importance of nurturing and sustaining the Orlando-region M&S workforce. Indeed, the two local representatives highlighted efforts to strengthen STEM programs in nearby high schools and the imperative for companies to create internships and other opportunities to develop and hone the early skills and interests of aspiring workforce members.

Rutherford also spoke to the importance of strengthening small businesses in the M&S industry. The Florida congressman threw down the challenge for M&S companies across the US to invite their members of congress to their facilities in order to educate and inform them about the industry, and their challenges and efforts.

In a different, overarching light, Rep. Jack Bergman emphatically told this M&S community gathering the purpose of the federal government is to create an environment for business “without stifling, but rather, by encouraging, innovation.” Further, the former commercial airline pilot and retired three-star Marine Corps general said the government must further eye rolling back unnecessary regulations when feasible and necessary.

And no surprise – AI made the list of questions from the assembled attendees for the caucus members. While there appeared to be a consensus that AI offers efficiencies for military training, wargaming and other learning tasks, there was also the mention of using “guardrails” when necessary to guide the development of this quick-moving technology in the US. Rep. Scott pragmatically asserted “AI is a tool,” and, in that context, offered regulations and guidelines should be established when AI is wrongly used, for instance, to commit crimes, to use discrimination to steer or skew hiring practices and other illicit purposes.

New Administration, New Congress

This January President-elect Trump will be sworn into office and a new US Congress will be seated. Huge uncertainties and unknows exist about a number of policy matters in debate that will impact the M&S community. A short list of topics in play includes possible federal workforce and federal budget cuts. MS&T will follow and report on these developments as they evolve.