Operational Effectiveness

BENS supports efforts to strengthen the structure of our government, including the military, to ensure that it is capable of responding quickly and decisively to the challenges of the 21st Century. Within these efforts, BENS seeks to: 

• Employ management principles that improve the outcomes of government operations, increase retention of key personnel and improve oversight of homeland security functions. 
• Help emergency managers implement policies and procedures for including the private sector in our nation's responses to disasters at all levels and from all causes. 
• Bridge the divide between the historically secretive and opaque intelligence community and the private sector.

Below are details of on going BENS Focus Activities on Operational Effectiveness.

Improving Installation Energy Security 

After a year of analysis and on-the-ground assessment, BENS has produced a seminal report on improving energy security on domestic military installations. Written at the request of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Installations and Environment, the report guides the Department toward cost-effective development of smart microgrid technology and other energy security strategies that ensure electricity critical to military operations is available at all times—particularly in times of crisis. 

More than 40 BENS members and energy security experts contributed to the report which specifically examines various business models for owning, operating, and financing smart microgrids. It also assesses the major non-technical impediments to broad smart microgrid development, provides insight into the appropriate size and scope of installation microgrids, and recommends steps for efficient and effective energy security development.  As the Department and other stakeholders pursue new energy security measures over the next decade, with investments projected in the billions, the BENS report provides the direction needed for proficient, economic, and secure energy strategy. 

Management Mentoring

BENS’ association with Intstallation Management Command (IMCOM) began in 2009 with a mentoring program that matched BENS members with IMCOM military and civilian officials.  Ten mentor/mentee pairs successfully conducted pilot mentorship relationships at IMCOM’s Southeast Regional headquarters at Ft. McPherson, GA. In 2010 an additional seven mentor/mentor pairs from both Southeast Region headquarters and several installations engaged in successful mentoring relationships. In 2011, 20 mentor/mentee relationships were established at the newly relocated headquarters in San Antonio, TX.