Christopher J. Cioppa

Introducing:  Christopher J Cioppa

The New Instructor at the Global Business and Transportation Department (GBAT) who will be teaching an exciting new course, GBTT 462 Science and Technological Issues of Security

Profile (in his own words):

My experience in developing a program in counter terrorism, weapons of mass destruction (WMD), hazardous material and now port security has been transacted in conjunction with my military career in the U.S. Marines.  I began this activity in 1997 when there was no established training and all the training I had was through the FBI in Weapons of Destruction Awareness and a Counter Terrorism program to instruct and advise the military in the awareness of WMD and Counter Terrorism.

I first began in the Marine Corps with Marine Air Group 49 Det B/ Marine Air Logistic Squadron 49 as a Hazardous Material Manager and certified instructor for Hazardous Communication, Hazwoper instructor in Hazardous Materials Communications classes. I also assisted in setting up the first Anti Force Protection program for the Marine Group 49 Det B and developed the Weapons of Mass Destruction and Counter Terrorism program. I continue to advise the Group’s Anti Force Protection program and keep the Security Anti Force Protection Officer apprised of intelligence on the terrorist situation in the area; I assist in any training required of me for the Anti Force Protection personnel.

My other activities:

• Work with Division of Military and Naval Affairs New York State, New York Naval Militia, and am attached to the New York Naval Militia, Operations Chief, continuing in WMD and Counter Terrorism, Port Security. 

• Work with the Commissioner of Pilots of the Port of New York and New Jersey in dealing with port security matters with the Naval Militia

• Continue my training in the Emergency Boat Service for the Naval Militia patrolling and protecting the Nuclear Plant on the Hudson.

• In addition to instructing and advising on Hazardous Materials and WMD and Counter Terrorism to the Marines at Marine Group 49 Det B Marine Air Logistic Squadron 49 I am the Group’s liaison with the Air National Guard in matters pertaining to Hazardous Materials.

• Member of the InfraGard, which is a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) program; an association of businesses, academic institutions, state and local law enforcement agencies, and other participants dedicated to sharing information and intelligence to prevent hostile acts against the United States

 
Comments by GBAT Chair Dr. Howard:

The purpose of the course, GBTT 462, Science and Technological Issues of Security, is to explore the social and political contexts and the implications and consequences of the science and technology used by terrorists and counter terrorists. 

For example, containers now coming out of a port terminal are scanned for radiation; what can the scanners detect and if radiation is detected, what does that mean?  How would a city be evacuated in the event a nuclear device was detected?  Another example of technology with far-reaching implications is that of biometrics; suppose everybody had their retina patterns in a national database?  When is personal information too intrusive for government access?

Chris Cioppa is uniquely qualified to help our students explore the range of answers to these and similar questions.

Chris is both an instructor and a student; the idea that you never stop learning has a special meaning in a world where you have to keep up on the latest innovations made by people who want to bring down civilization, such as the liquid bombs that the terrorists recently busted in Britain were planning to use to simultaneously explode ten or more airliners on their way to American cities.  Chris has studied in Israeli and Mexican training forums as well as in American programs.  He recently gave a presentation on Business Protection against Terrorism Its Effects at a symposium sponsored by the Marine Corps Reserve Association.   He assisted Major Richard Hugbank, Military Police, Anti Force Protection Officer, West Point Military Academy, West Point NY, in gathering material to publish a series of seven articles for the US Cavalry on line service, dealing with military, law enforcement and homeland security, titled Policing the Streets: Combating Terrorisms.

GBTT 462 can be taken as a GBAT elective, or as part of the Minor in Intermodal and Maritime Security…or simply as an added value to the student interested in learning about these important issues.  I urge you to register for this class – make the most of your opportunity!  If you have any questions you can contact me, Dr. Howard, at (718) 409-2977 or LHoward@sunymaritime.edu.  You can also contact Chris Cioppa directly at ccioppa@rcn.com.