Civil-Military Innovation Institute

06/17/2026

At CMI2, we believe that communities are strongest when local people help shape the solutions. That's why we're proud to see a new study from the Georgetown University Berkley School of Nursing highlight the impact of a project with Clay County Schools last summer. What made this project special was that the students weren't just participants, they were leaders. Their ideas and vision transformed an underused area into a multifunctional space. Members of the CMI2 Fort Andrew team and several Ignite interns proudly contributed to this effort, which also inspired similar green space improvements at Fort Andrew.

Learn more on our latest community blog.
https://www.cmi2.org/2026/06/17/blog-georgetown-nursing/

New research from Berkley School of Nursing faculty suggests that youth-led environmental design can help build mental health in adolescents in rural Appalachian communities.

06/16/2026

Congratulations to the 11th Airborne Division on its inaugural Angel Ascent competition, which focuses on Soldier-driven innovation and Arctic readiness. This event, supported by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory Pathfinder program, provides soldiers with a platform to present real-world solutions to operational challenges. It reinforces the principle that the best ideas often come from those closest to the mission. The DEVCOM ARL Pathfinder program, which is supported globally by CMI2, plays a critical role in transforming tactical innovation ideas into practical capabilities. We know Innovation in the Dirt® goes beyond just the pitch. It requires mentorship, technical expertise, prototyping support, industry engagement, and pathways to transition promising concepts into the hands of operators. The Pathfinder program exists to bridge that gap by connecting innovators with the necessary resources, networks, and expertise to move from concept to capability.

The 11th Airborne Division hosted its inaugural “Angel Ascent” innovation event at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson this week, marking a major milestone in t ...

06/15/2026

Attention Veterans: You're Retired from Service. Not from Purpose.
Your military experience remains valuable. Join our network of veterans and professionals supporting training, innovation, leadership development, and national security initiatives. Work on projects that fit your schedule while continuing to serve in meaningful ways.

Flexible opportunities. Meaningful impact. Mission-focused work.

Join Us today: https://www.cmi2.org/1099-opportunity

06/09/2026

The Army's Line of Departure recently featured an article in Gray Space: The Cyber and Electromagnetic Warfare Journal by CPT Brenden Shutt highlighting SignalStrike, an innovative software application developed by 3ID Soldiers at the Marne Innovation Center to streamline the Electronic Warfare targeting process. The Marne Innovation Center, a DEVCOM ARL Catalyst Pathfinder DIRT (Design, Innovation, Research, and Technology) Lab at Fort Stewart, is led by CMI2's Randy Emert and serves as a hub for Soldier-driven innovation. CMI2 is proud to support the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory's Catalyst Pathfinder Program through our global network of DIRT Labs, helping transform operational challenges into field-tested capabilities that deliver real impact and ensure readiness for Soldiers.
Read more:

EW platoons face growing challenges turning complex RF data into timely targeting. A Soldier-built tool, SignalStrike, streamlines data processing and visualization, improving speed, accuracy, and situational awareness while advancing Army efforts to operate effectively in the electromagnetic spectr...

06/02/2026

⏳ CLOSING SOON — CMI2 is hiring in and to support Soldiers and tactical innovation through the U.S. Army DEVCOM ARL Catalyst Pathfinder Program. Join us for this opportunity to work at the intersection of innovation, mission-focused problem-solving, and national security, collaborating with Soldiers to bring transformative solutions from concept to action. If you're ready to help drive innovation that matters, apply now — opportunities are closing soon.

https://www.cmi2.org/category/careers/

06/01/2026

Innovation moves fast, and so do the challenges facing today’s warfighters. During ROID DIRT Days in Montana, Soldiers, researchers, and industry partners came together to evaluate emerging counter-UAS and contested logistics technologies in realistic environments.

For CMI2, this marked our second ROID DIRT Days event in less than 70 days, highlighting the value of rapid experimentation and getting new capabilities in front of the people who need them most. By incorporating Soldier feedback throughout the process, we're helping accelerate practical, mission-ready solutions for the Joint Force.

Thank you to our partners at U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM), U.S. Army DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory, the Montana Army National Guard, and participating industry teams for making this effort possible.

Learn more:

ROID DIRT Days connects Soldiers, researchers, and industry partners to rapidly test and refine emerging technologies.

05/29/2026

It's happening! Our 2026 IGNITE Internship Program kicks off June 2! This summer, students from Clay County High School will gain hands-on experience in robotics, drones, engineering, fabrication, and more while working alongside our innovators and mentors at our CMI2 Adaptive Experimentation Facility at Fort Andrew. A special thank you to the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation and The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation helping make these opportunities possible. Be sure to follow along this summer as we share the projects, experiences, and accomplishments of this year's Ignite interns!

CMI2's 2026 Ignite Internship Program gives Clay County students hands-on STEM experiences at its Fort Andrew facility.

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation. At CMI2, where more than half of our team are current or former members of the U.S. Military, this day carries deep meaning. We remember the sacrifices made by our brothers and sisters in arms and reflect on the enduring legacy of courage and commitment they leave behind. Today, we pause in gratitude for those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the freedoms we enjoy every day. America is not the land of the free without the service of the brave.

05/20/2026

Innovation starts with Soldiers closest to the mission, and CMI2 is proud to help turn their ideas into impact. Yesterday, Senator Shelley Moore Capito recognized the Catalyst Pathfinder program during the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing as a powerful example of Soldier-centered innovation advancing readiness, adaptability, and lethality.
Secretary of the Army Daniel P. Driscoll reinforced the vision behind the effort, saying: “I would bet on the American Soldier every single time, innovating us to the most successful outcome.” We couldn't agree more.
The Catalyst Pathfinder program is a collaboration between DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory, CMI2, and Acme General Corp focused on accelerating Soldier readiness through operational problem sourcing, rapid experimentation, and field-driven solution development.
We’re honored to help empower warfighters and strengthen the future of Army modernization, or as we call it, .

Innovation starts with Soldiers closest to the mission, and CMI2 is proud to help turn ideas into impact via the Catalyst Pathfinder program.

05/18/2026

🎓From Two-year Intern to Double Degree Graduate, Congratulations, Mason! For the past two years, Mason Deel has been an important part of the Communications and Public Affairs team at CMI2, bringing dedication, creativity, and professionalism to every project while balancing college life and multiple jobs, including teaching assistant roles.
This past weekend, Mason celebrated an incredible milestone by graduating from West Virginia University with not one, but two degrees: a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications.
During his time at CMI2, Mason supported outreach initiatives across the country and contributed to public affairs operations at the CMI2 Adaptive Experimentation Facility at Fort Andrew in Lizemores, West Virginia.
Watching Mason grow professionally over the last two years has been a pleasure for our team, and we are excited to see him take the next step in his career with Bullseye Total Media in Huntington, West Virginia. Congratulations, Mason, on this incredible achievement. We cannot wait to see all that you accomplish!

📸 -Courtesy of Mason Deel