Block Party

Problem Statement

The U.S. military has been known as the leaders of innovation for the past 75 years and has only experimented with the implementation of a groundbreaking technology; blockchain, compared to international adversaries who have been utilizing distributed ledger technology for the past several years. Distributed ledger is a type of technology that stores data transactions and documentation on a shared network that, with current technological capabilities, can only be compromised through stolen access of “password keys” required to enter the network. Its infrastructure is designed to be decentralized peer-to-peer information transfers that are encrypted and can be conducted with multiple parties, which allows for efficient record keeping and tracking of data. Block Party has been tasked with discovering opportunities to implement this technology in order to modernize and improve the processing and mobilization of service members.

Solution

Employ the Defense Innovation Unit to establish a federally funded research and development center with a military cross functional team for the purpose of testing distributed ledger technologies and its applications within the Department of Defense.

Meet the Team

Colton McLaughlin

Colton McLaughlin is a Sophomore studying International Affairs with a concentration in International Conflict & Security and a minor in German. Since freshman year, he has been working at the university as an Assistant Researcher with Dr. Keller on topics regarding biases in foreign policy decision-making, availability heuristics of leaders, and U.S.-China foreign policy. Colton currently leads with Young Life, a non-profit organization that focuses on building relationships with students and sharing the gospel. He has also worked as a facilitator at the West Point Leadership & Ethics Conference for the past two years in the D.C. area. Colton hopes to serve in the U.S. military and intelligence community for the federal government in the future and to give back to his community.

Taylor Nauflett

Taylor Nauflett is a Junior International Affairs major with a concentration in Global Human Development, and minors in Spanish and Latin America, Latinx, and Caribbean Studies. During her time at James Madison University, Taylor has held the Community Outreach director position in Delta Phi Epsilon and serves as an Events Service Assistance. Outside of JMU, Taylor has studied abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After her time at JMU, Taylor hopes to join the Peace Corps in the Community Economic Development sector. She aims to use her education and experience abroad to positively impact marginalized and developing communities.

Charlotte Purkey

Charlotte Purkey is a senior studying International Affairs with a concentration in International Conflict and Security, with a minor in General Business. She attended Virginia Tech her freshman year majoring in International Relations and transferred to JMU after the covid pandemic. At JMU, Charlotte is a member of Sigma Iota Rho, the JMU Chapter of the Honor Society for International Affairs, and is currently a part of the Peace Corp Prep program. Outside of JMU, Charlotte has traveled to Panama, Italy, and Romania and has done volunteer work in all three places. Upon graduating from JMU, Charlotte hopes to work within the Department of Defense or in the private sector with cybersecurity.

Junior Garmendia

Junior Garmendia is a Senior studying Computer Science with a minor in Math and Data Analytics. Junior transferred to JMU in 2021 and during that time he has been a part of JMU Nuance Winterguard for the 2020, 2021, and 2023 season and the Marching Royal Dukes during the 2021 season. He is also a part of For the Love of Colorguard since spring 2020 and he is currently the Executive Vice President for the 2022-2023 school year. In the summer of 2022, he worked at Paxton Industries in Springfield, VA as a Data Entry Intern. Once he graduates JMU, Junior hopes to work in the private industry in software engineering working on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technology.

Brianna Scherb

Brianna Scherb is a senior studying Political Science. She has also taken courses in Psychology, Anthropology, and studies in Weapons of mass destruction. During the summer of 2022, she participated in a study abroad program in Vienna, Austria to study cross-cultural psychology. She is applying for the Peace Corp program in the spring and will be completing volunteer hours throughout her final semester at JMU. After graduation, Brianna plans to go to graduate school in the D.C. area. After completion of her masters, she plans to joining the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the counter-terrorism unit.