Realigning the Stars

Realigning the Stars

Author: National Defense Research Institute

Publisher:

Published: 2018-12-04

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781977400703

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The authors developed and employed a methodology to review general and flag officer requirements in the U.S. military, used results to identify opportunities to eliminate or downgrade positions, and explored the implications of reductions.


Realigning the Stars

Realigning the Stars

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 2018

Total Pages: 315

ISBN-13:

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The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness asked RAND to conduct an independent study of general and flag officer (G/FO) requirements. The goals of this effort were to develop a methodology to assess active component G/FO requirements and authorizations; use the methodology to identify opportunities to eliminate, downgrade, or convert (to civilian) G/FO positions; assess the adequacy of existing statutes and policies to provide G/FOs to meet requirements; and recommend changes, if needed. With that in mind, the authors developed and employed a rigorous, adjustable, transparent, and repeatable analytic methodology to review G/FO positions. This included an examination of the functions performed by G/FOs within and across organizations; a position-by-position review in which all 1,113 G/FO requirements were evaluated against a defined set of criteria; the development and administration of a forced-choice exercise to identify priorities for how four- and three-star G/FOs should be used; and an evaluation of how positions affect development of G/FOs within functional areas. The combined results of these assessments were used to identify opportunities to eliminate or downgrade G/FO positions and assess implications of reductions. RAND's methodology offers the Department of Defense a more systematic and analytic foundation with which to justify its G/FO requirements.


Patterns with a Twist

Patterns with a Twist

Author: Ronald E. Anderson

Publisher: Xlibris Corporation

Published: 2012-04-24

Total Pages: 92

ISBN-13: 1469197944

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I have been writing poetry most of my life and this selection of work is especially personal to me. As an artist and a writer I feel the need to communicate to the world what I believe to be important. Poetry and free verse are the means of my expressions and the short stories that I wrote in play form I believe will be entertaining and suspenseful. The character of John Griffith was based on a good friend who died a young and tragic death. You might say he lives on in these short stories and the characters themselves; though largely fictional, I consider memorable. My work like my life is seen through a darkened lens, but that lens adds depth to the soul. I do hope you sincerely enjoy this read. Those who have read it have not been able to put it down. I hope the same will apply for you. With all my heart, Ronald E. Anderson Patterns With A Twist was originally written several years ago and enhanced with my work in the historic Granada Theater where we held productions and yes conducted tours of this historic building.


Rise Like a Phoenix

Rise Like a Phoenix

Author: Tammy Lowe

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press Inc

Published: 2023-11-22

Total Pages: 346

ISBN-13: 1509253041

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When Elisabeth London travels back in time to the 14th century, she is transported to a world straight out of the pages of a fairy-tale. Swept away by the adventure and romance, Elisabeth follows her heart—and Aquarius—into this whole new world. But Elisabeth soon learns her father has discovered where (or rather when) she is. He’s sent a bounty-hunter to bring her home. Although a million questions buzz through her mind, there’s one thing she’s certain of—her parents will never let her hang out in the 14th century with a guy she met in Ancient Rome. With her heart at stake, can Elisabeth avoid the bounty-hunter and find a way to stay in this fairy-tale world? Or is her love-life about to take a rather grim twist? Find out in Elisabeth London’s timeless story of love, danger, and adventure.


The NexStar User’s Guide

The NexStar User’s Guide

Author: Michael Swanson

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 324

ISBN-13: 0857294180

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Michael Swanson’s online discussions with literally thousands of NexStar owners made it clear that there was a desperate need for a book such as this – one that provides a complete, detailed guide to buying, using and maintaining NexStar telescopes. Although this book is highly comprehensive, it is suitable for beginners – there is a chapter on "Astronomy Basics" – and experts alike. Celestron’s NexStar telescopes were introduced in 1999, beginning with their first computer controlled "go to" model, a 5-inch. More models appeared in quick succession, and Celestron’s new range made it one of the two dominant manufacturers of affordable "go to" telescopes.


Beating the Commodity Trap

Beating the Commodity Trap

Author: Richard Anthony D'Aveni

Publisher: Harvard Business Press

Published: 2010-01-12

Total Pages: 209

ISBN-13: 1422156168

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Commoditization-a virulent form of hypercompetition-is destroying markets, disrupting industries, and shuttering long-successful firms. Conventional wisdom says the best way to combat commoditization is differentiation. But differentiation is difficult and expensive to implement, and keeps you ahead of the pack only temporarily. In Beating the Commodity Trap, Richard D'Aveni provides a radical new framework for fighting back. Drawing on an in-depth study of more than thirty industries, he recommends first identifying the commoditization trap you're facing: -Deterioration: Low-end firms enter with low-cost/low-benefit offerings that attract the mass market-as Zara did to high-end fashion companies. -Proliferation: Companies develop new combinations of price paired with several unique benefits that attack part of an incumbents' market-as Japanese motorcycle makers did to Harley-Davidson. -Escalation: Players offer more benefits for the same or lower price, squeezing everyone's margins-as the iPhone did in mobile devices. The author provides a tool for diagnosing your competitive position and shows how to strengthen it while also boosting your pricing power-by destroying the commoditization trap confronting you, escaping it, or turning it to your advantage. Illustrated with a wealth of examples, this concise, practical guide gives you the framework and tactics you need to battle commoditization.


Hope and Despair

Hope and Despair

Author: Michael A. Horowitz

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2024-03-07

Total Pages: 282

ISBN-13: 1911723197

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A frank assessment of Israel's uncertain place in a region scarred by conflict and insecurity. Where can the country and its people go from here?


The Perfume River

The Perfume River

Author: Cathy Cole

Publisher: UWA Publishing

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 340

ISBN-13: 9781921401480

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"This anthology, named The perfume river after one of Vietnam's most poetic waterways, draws together writing 'from Vietnam' in every sense. The writers live in vietnam and a number of other countries. Some are of Vietnamese background, others are not. For all, Vietnam has defined itself as a voice of inspiration, of homeland, memory and discovery."-- Book jacket.


Shuttle, Houston

Shuttle, Houston

Author: Paul Dye

Publisher: Hachette Books

Published: 2020-07-14

Total Pages: 320

ISBN-13: 0316454540

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From the longest-serving Flight Director in NASA's history comes a revealing account of high-stakes Mission Control work and the Space Shuttle program that has redefined our relationship with the universe. A compelling look inside the Space Shuttle missions that helped lay the groundwork for the Space Age, Shuttle, Houston explores the determined personalities, technological miracles, and eleventh-hour saves that have given us human spaceflight. Relaying stories of missions (and their grueling training) in vivid detail, Paul Dye, NASA's longest-serving Flight Director, examines the split-second decisions that the directors and astronauts were forced to make in a field where mistakes are unthinkable, and where errors led to the loss of national resources -- and more importantly one's crew. Dye's stories from the heart of Mission Control explain the mysteries of flying the Shuttle -- from the powerful fiery ascent to the majesty of on-orbit operations to the high-speed and critical re-entry and landing of a hundred-ton glider. The Space Shuttles flew 135 missions. Astronauts conducted space walks, captured satellites, and docked with the Mir Space Station, bringing space into our everyday life, from GPS to satellite TV. Shuttle, Houston puts readers in his own seat at Mission Control, the hub that made humanity's leap into a new frontier possible.


Bike Snob

Bike Snob

Author: BikeSnobNYC

Publisher: Chronicle Books

Published: 2011-04-29

Total Pages: 244

ISBN-13: 1452100977

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“Equal parts critical manifesto and tender mini-memoir about a boy and his bikes” from Eben Weiss, blogger and author of The Enlightened Cyclist (GQ). Cycling is exploding in a good way. Urbanites everywhere, from ironic hipsters to earth-conscious commuters, are taking to the bike like aquatic mammals to water. BikeSnobNYC—cycling’s most prolific, well-known, hilarious, and anonymous blogger—brings a fresh and humorous perspective to the most important vehicle to hit personal transportation since the horse. Bike Snob treats readers to a laugh-out-loud rant and rave about the world of bikes and their riders and offers a unique look at the ins and outs of cycling, from its history and hallmarks to its wide range of bizarre practitioners. Throughout, the author lampoons the missteps, pretensions, and absurdities of bike culture while maintaining a contagious enthusiasm for cycling itself. Bike Snob is an essential volume for anyone who knows, is, or wants to become a cyclist. “This is a social manual that should be bundled with every bike shipped in America.” —Christian Lander, author of Stuff White People Like “I like to think I know a thing or two (or three) about being ruthless and relentless—either trying to win the Tour or fighting cancer. The Snob knows it too. Keeping us dorks in line is tough work. I take pleasure in getting picked on by the Snob, slightly more pleasure in reading his writing, but take the most pleasure punishing his ass (my payback) on the bike either in Central Park or on 9W/River Road. Long live the Snob.” —Lance Armstrong