The Defense Department is using America’s tax dollars to turn scientists into screenplay writers. The Christian Science Monitor reports that DOD hopes scientists attending a three-to-five-day screenwriting class, the Catalyst Workshop, will end up producing authentic, appealing scientific-themed films that attract young people to pursue careers in such fields as physics, biology, and forensics. The potential “brain drain” facing the department as its science and engineering workforce grays out—Pentagon data indicates up to 50 percent could retire in the next five years—has pushed the Air Force in particular to seek innovative ways to attract new talent. As CSM notes, the popularity of the TV series “CSI” and the like have increased enrollment in forensics at colleges.
The withdrawal of about 700 U.S. forces from Somalia required a massive nocturnal airlift, movement of fighters and tankers from the Middle East, and other overwatch from drones and other special operations aircraft, all planned and executed within weeks. The mission, called Operation Octave Quartz, came after former President Donald…