Jeff Allen works in the applied Sciences Division of Naval Command Control & Ocean Surveillance Center, RDT&E (NRaD), a large Navy lab located in California on the Point Loma Peninsula that divides San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean. He is a part of the Fluid Mechanics and Energy Research Branch and works on projects with small teams of engineers and scientists. The educational background of his coworkers is a fairly even mix of people with bachelor's, master's and Ph.D. degrees.

"The NRaD is responsible for development of the technology to collect, transmit, and process information essential to naval operations," says Jeff. "It develops capabilities that allow decision-makers of both the Navy and of the joint services to protect their own forces and carry out their operations. These capabilities include sensors to track submarines, surface ships and aircraft; communication networks and data links to transmit critical information; navigation systems to pinpoint position; command and control systems to process and display tactical information for officers in command. To support the necessary system engineering and integration functions, the command also maintains research programs in a number of fields."

"As a member of the Fluid Mechanics and Energy Research Branch I work on a wide variety of projects. Interesting mathematical problems appear on a daily basis. It is a challenge to find funding to work on these problems. If funding can be scrounged then the project typically starts with the difficult problem of data collection. The next step is to flog some sense out of the data. That may require going back to the starting point. It is still a surprise to see how Nature --- the great compiler --- can flatten some lovely theoretical approaches."

"In the real world of military operations, textbook mathematics problems rarely appear. It is up to the mathematician to identify those problems that lend themselves to mathematical solutions --- and those that do not. This last point extends to the mathematical community. Theories and techniques can and are oversold. While huckerism does work in the short term, eventually the real world will catch up and systems will fail to perform. The mindless promotion of the latest mathematical fad degrades our science and ruins the credibility of the mathematical community."

Jeff has a B.S. in mathematics from San Diego State University and an M.S. and Ph.D. in mathematics from University of California, San Diego. "I began working with NRaD as a scientist in 1989, one year after completing my Ph.D. Prior to that I had worked for a small company here in San Diego. The experience and contacts I obtained were invaluable and helped me to obtain the position at NRaD."

"Because most of my work is in stochastic signal processing, coursework in real analysis, functional analysis, complex analysis, linear algebra, differential geometry and numerical analysis has been particularly beneficial. I'd really recommend loading up on theory. You'll get the applications on the job. You will find that the mathematics has an eerie permanence. Most computer courses, on the other hand, will be obsolete within a decade."

"However, mathematics majors cannot and should not aim at becoming second-rate engineers. For this reason, a knowledge and love of a subject somewhat outside of mainstream engineering will permit the math major to complement and diversify the workforce. Make sure you can write. I regret not having paid attention in high school English. You'll have to write up what you have done ... and write it up as fast as possible."

"Once in a job, be flexible and willing to accommodate some of the unfortunate realities related to being a mathematician working with nonmathematicians. Expect to be hosed for telling the truth. For example, if you discover some system flaws you may be chastised for generating new problems --- and anything you say will be used against you. Finally, real data is your seed corn so learn to respect it."

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