In combat, U.S. Army Maj. Evan Adams is a tank

officer responsible for leading intricate cavalry

and reconnaissance operations. But more than

a decade ago, he was a graphic design major in

college, a skill he put to use in a new Army effort

aimed at gathering innovative ideas from within.

On Wednesday, the 18th Airborne Corps

announced Adams as the winner of their

inaugural Dragon Innovation Challenge. Amid

government red tape and military bureaucracy,

the “Shark Tank” like competition hopes to

harvest new ideas from the bottom up.

Col. Joseph Buccino, spokesman for the 18th

Airborne Corps, sees this as a way of unlocking

hidden, untapped talent.

NEW PROGRAM

ALLOWS

SOLDIERS TO

INNOVATE FROM

THE BOTTOM UP