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ALUMNA LEADS DOD EFFORTS TO BOOST U.S. MANUFACTURING CAPABILITIES By James Carskadon, Photo Submitted
From the War of 1812 jumpstarting the Industrial Revolution in America to the unprecedented industrial effort required for World War II, U.S. manufacturing has always been vital to military efforts and economic security. With the Department of Defense conducting ever-more technologically advanced operations, a Mississippi State alumna is working to ensure U.S. industry is prepared for a changing military and economic landscape. Adele Ratcliff is spearheading Department of Defense efforts to meet military needs and create well-paying jobs in the country’s manufacturing sector. The McComb native is director of Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment, or IBAS, in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. “Being involved in this work since 2004 drives home the important role that manufacturing plays in underpinning our economic security and being available when called upon for national security needs,” said Ratcliff, a 1988 MSU graduate. “It’s been hugely rewarding to be able to walk across the many manufacturing floors of this country to see how they contribute to their local communities as well as to the defense of our nation.” Ratcliff initially trained to be part of U.S. manufacturing, majoring in mechanical engineering with an emphasis in marine engineering at MSU. She worked at a Florida shipyard in her last
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