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PROGRAM ARCHIVE
The following is a brief summary of past Defense Education Forum (DEF) sponsored and cosponsored events.
2009
November
Nov. 12,
Mental Health Care Symposium in IL
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On Nov. 12 The Defense Education Forum, hosted a Mental Health Care Symposium in Chicago, Illinois. The program, held in partnership with the DuPage Medical Group, focused on changes in access to behavioral and mental health resources for RC members and their families resulting from the transition to an operational reserve. A panel of leading health professionals including, MG Robert Kasulke, Commanding General USAR MEDCOM, COL Nicole Keesee, USAR Deputy Sergeon, Behavioral Health, Col Janet Kamer USAFR Command Consultant for Psychology, Dr. Michael O'Leary, as well as Illinois State Legislator, Carole Pankau identified key challenges and resources for patients and providers specific to TBI, PTSD, and family support systems. |
October
Oct. 29-31,
2nd Annual Civil Affairs Transitions Roundtable
Oct. 15,
General Jones at ANCC
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On October 15, National Security Advisor James Jones, USMC (Ret) spoke in a joint program sponsored by DEF and the Army Navy Country Club (ANCC). Gen. Jones addressed an audience of over 250 people and, after receiving a standing ovation prior to his talk, quipped “I’m not greeted this way at the White House every morning!” This set the tone for a very warm and thoughtful set of remarks that this former commandant of the Marine Corps and Supreme Allied Commander, Europe then shared over the course of the next hour with an enthusiastic gathering.
Gen. Jones devoted most his talk to discussing the structure of the National Security Council (NSC) and its decision making processes. Gen. Jones stressed that all issues referred to the NSC are thoroughly vetted by staff, more important issues rise through the Deputies Committee and possibly the Principals Committee made up of key cabinet members. On the most important issues further discussions will then be conducted with the President. Gen. Jones reflected on the high quality of the staff and the wide range of topics that have been assigned to the NSC for their review. The staff is made up of approximately 225 people about half of whom are detailees from other agencies of government.
Gen. Jones also engaged in an extensive question and answer session with the audience. In which he commented on topics such as Afghanistan, cyber security, the National Security Report, and the Middle East and Eastern Asia. Following the formal question period Gen. Jones stayed to answer further questions from the audience and received well wishes from many friends that were in attendance. A formal reception sponsored by ANCC also followed his remarks.
The event marked the first in a series of events in which DEF expects to collaborate closely with the Army Navy Country Club on programs relating to national security. A special thanks to Col Mace Carpenter for all of his collaborative efforts in making this program possible.
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September
Sep. 24-25,
National Security Symposium in North Dakota
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The Reserve Officers Association, CNA (formerly the Center for Naval Analyses), and the Partnership for a Secure America (PSA), coordinated to conduct six programs on the topics of: Climate Change/Energy and National Security; and Nuclear Non Proliferation and National Security in North Dakota on September 24 and 25, 2009. Featured were VADM Dennis McGinn, a member of the Military Advisory Board of CNA; Matt Rojansky, the executive director of PSA; and Bob Feidler, the Director of the Defense Education Forum (DEF) of ROA.
The programs addressed students at the two largest universities in North Dakota, members of the communities of Grand Forks and Fargo, and a separate dinner event for community leaders in each city. The dinners included State representatives, local government representatives, academicians, businessmen and women, and leaders from other segments of the community to include NGOs, and the military including numerous ROA members, the ND Department President and several past presidents. Total attendance for the events was in the vicinity of 340. In addition, there were numerous television and radio interviews conducted and aired, as well as two editorials in one of the leading newspapers in the state. Through comments of the attendees, it was clear that the program had been well received. The programs marked a significant and successful series of outreach events for ROA and DEF. A special thanks to Col. Gary Olson, AFR, (Ret.), for his role as a local coordinator of these events.
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Sep. 17,
Afghan Police Reform Webcast with The Foreign Policy Research Institute
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While the US military's mission in Afghanistan intensifies against an adapting insurgency, an equally complex problem looms large over the prospects for law, order, and the sustainable defense of the nation's burgeoning democracy. While significant strides have been made since 2001, the Afghan National Police (ANP) have, been unable to implement and maintain the kind of lasting reform that will allow them to effectively defend the institutions of democracy and civility that will undoubtedly remain under fire in the months and years post-conflict. In conjunction with the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) and the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), DEF hosted a live webcast from ROA's Minuteman Memorial Building on Sep. 17. This live webcast presented the findings of a recently completed study addressing problems and potential solutions to this complex and fundamental subject. Featured remarks were delivered by Mr. Michael Clarke, Director, Defense & Security Studies, RUSI and Mr. Andrew Garfield, Senior Fellow FPRI, Director,Defense & Security Studies, US RUSI.
Video of the forum:  Video
Read the report: Reforming the ANP |
Sep. 8,
Partnership for a Secure America Bipartisan Statement
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As part of DEF's continuing Climate Change & Energy Series with Partnership for a Secure America (PSA) and The Center for Naval Analysis (CNA), ROA recently hosted the public release of PSA's bipartisan statement calling for a "unified American strategy" to address the national security implications of an inadequate climate & energy policy. In conjunction with the release of this statement signed by 32 policymakers from both sides of the aisle, DEF hosted a panel discussion on the subject. Headlined by remarks from Sen. Joseph Lieberman, the group called for strong yet thoughtful action from Congress on the basis of potential national security risks resulting from further legislative delays. Sen. Lieberman's urge to act was echoed through remarks from former CIA director James Woosley, former Undersecretary of State and Ambassador to India Frank Wisner, PSA Executive Director, Matthew Rojansky, and CNA Military Advisory Board member VADM Dennis McGinn (Ret).
Video of the forum:
Video
Read the statement:
PSA's Bipartisan Statemen |
August
Aug. 12,
A Forum on Major National Security Challenges: Climate Change & Energy
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The Defense Education Forum recently traveled to Richmond, Virginia to host a forum on Climate Change and Energy. Along with our partners for this event, Center for Naval Analysis (CNA) and Partnership for a Secure America (PSA), DEF focused on these two urgent national security challenges and presented an honest discussion to a crowd of insightful attendees. VADM Dennis McGinn (Ret) and Mr. Matthew Rojansky headed a panel moderated by Mr. Bob Feidler.
Video of the forum:
See the video |
July
July 9,
NATO and Afghanistan: Equitable Burden Sharing
June
June 25,
National Security Energy Policy Forum
For decades we have struggled with an inadequate energy policy. These energy policy failures have placed us in an increasingly precarious position. With sweeping policy proposals that will shape our energy future now on the front burner in Congress, this important forum will provide an opportunity to review them in the context of their impact on national security. The forum will bring together leading members of Congress, public policy groups, veterans groups, energy related associations, and the military to discuss energy and to reflect on how it affects national security. The program is especially timely given the sweeping energy proposals now pending before Congress.
Agenda
Video of the forum:
Video
Powerpoint Presentations:
Headquarters U.S. Air Force
Navy Energy Perspectives
Nuclear Energy
June 22,
Air Force Reserve Modernization DEF Program
A Defense Education Forum program solely focused on the Air Force Reserve; the complexities, challenges and successes of modernizing the Air Force Reserve. The Air Force has had a steady drumbeat for a number of years on the messages of recapitalizing their tanker fleet and fighter force. As one of three components of the Air Force, the Air Force Reserve needs to be included in this modernization. In addition to normal acquisition funds, Congress funds the National Guard and Reserve Equipment Account (NGREA). The challenge for the Reserve is using that money to recapitalize defensive systems and precision engagement equipment to ensure effectiveness of their forces in the theater of operations. With insufficient funds across the board, industry and the Air Force Reserve are looking for innovative solutions to their modernization requirements.
Media Advisory
Speaker Biographies
Video of the forum:
Video
May
May 21,
Mental Health Care for Military and Army Reserve Employer Partnership Initiative
The Reserve Officers Association’s Defense Education Forum will present a program Thursday, May 21 at the Minuteman Memorial Building in Washington.
The first part of the program will discuss mental health care delivery to the military and will highlight efforts to identify behavioral issues among soldiers and address them. The second part of the program will feature a discussion of the Employer Partnership Initiative (EPI) with Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, Chief of the Army Reserve. EPI is a creative new program to acknowledge the needs of Army Reservists’ civilian employers and the necessity of the Army to cooperate and coordinate with them concerning the “shared” employee.
Media Advisory
Powerpoint Presentations:
Col. Nicole M. Keesee presentation
Col. Dianna Cleven EPI presentation
May 5,
Russian Defense Policy and Nuclear Weapons: Opportunity or Disaster?
Recent events have again highlighted the enormous role that nuclear weapons will play in the relations between the United States and Russia. Does today's environment create an opportunity to advance nonproliferation of nuclear weapons, or will the role of nuclear weapons be central to the foreign defense policy of Russia. Please join ROA for what promises to be a thoughtful and lively discussion of the options which will be led by three outstanding faculty members who have devoted years of study to Russia and nuclear weapons issues but who may reach decidedly different conclusions.
Who: Dr. Stephen Blank, Professor, Army War College; Matthew Rojansky, Executive Director, Project for a Secure America; and Peter Huessy, President, Geostrategic Analysis Inc.
March
March 23,
Symposium on Mental Healthcare Delivery to the Reserve Components
The signature injuries of the Global War on Terrorism have been Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The cost to servicemembers and their families and to the military has been enormous both on the personal and financial levels. The good news is that great strides have been made in treatment and research over the past six years. As part of a continuing series of programs sponsored by the Reserve Officers Association (ROA) and its educational arm, the Defense Education Forum (DEF) on healthcare delivery to the Armed Forces, a special program was conducted on mental healthcare delivery and recent developments especially as they related to TBI and PTSD. The program was conducted on March 23, 2009 at the ROA headquarters facilities, the Minuteman Memorial Building located on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The program featured leading physicians and mental health specialists from both the military and civilian worlds as well as from the Veterans Administration. Slide presentations are available below, and a full report on this will be available in hard copy.
Program Report
Agenda
PowerPoint Presentations:
TBI: The Iraq and Afghanistan Experience And What Will Evolve From It- Col Christopher S. Williams, USAF
Addressing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in the U.S. Military- Lt Col JAY M. STONE, USAF
Psychological Health Program- CAPT Joan Hunter, USPHS
Hawaii’s Psychological Health Task Force- LTC Laura Wheeler, ANG
Transitional Support Program- CDR Guy Mahoney, USPHS
Mental Health Overview of Army National Guard- Clifford Trott, ARNG
Leave No One Behind: Readjustment Services for Returning Warriors and Their Families
Dr. Robert T. Frame, COL (Ret), USAR ~ Dr. Alfonso R. Batres
Mild TBI/Concussion and Post-Concussive Symptoms: What Does PTSD Have to Do With These?
COL Charles W. Hoge, USA
Navy Reserve Psychological Health Outreach Program & Returning Warrior Workshop-
RDML Karen A. Flaherty, USN
March 5-6,
Alexandria, VA, The Law and Catastrophic Disasters: Legal Issues in the Aftermath
The Standing Committee recently agreed to be a cooperating organization with ROA, which allowed our members to take advantage of the $175 registration fee. This intense, interactive conference used a table-top exercise, plenary sessions, and topic-oriented breakouts to identify legal problems, issues, and best practices in the context of three periods following catastrophic disasters: the "response period," "stabilization and re-entry," and "recovery and potential litigation." Further details are available on the Institute for Local Government Studies Web site.
Institute for Local Government Studies Web site
March 4,
Civil Affairs in Transition in the 21st Century
Co-sponsored with George Mason University, this forum was the 10th program in a joint series that has focused on Civil Affairs/reconstruction/stabilization issues on the topic of "Systemic Functional Specialists. This conference reviewed the present status of systemic functional specialists in the military and whether this is an area that is in need of creative solutions to meet the needs of the Nation and of international law.
Program Report
PowerPoint Presentations
Civil Affairs Skill Identifiers
Civil Affairs Study-Col. Norm Cotton
Civil Affairs Roundtable Functional Specialties-Dave Gordon
Civil Systems-David C. Mitchell
Overview of CSIS Report on Civil Affairs
Army Heritage and Education Center Civil Affairs Overview
Civil Affairs Skill Identifier
Click Here
February
Feb. 12,
Defense Showstoppers: National Security Challenges for the Obama Administration
The Defense Education Forum and Foreign Policy Research Institute recently hosted a conference on Defense Showstoppers and the National Security Challenges facing the Obama Administration. Gen. James Mattis, USMC, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation and Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command, gave a very informative speech/Q&A session on the approach that the U.S. and our allies should take with regard to Joint Warfare in the 21st Century. This conference was held at the ROA headquarters building in Washington D.C., among the challenges discussed, several stood out for their potential as “showstoppers":
-Balance between counterinsurgency and traditional military formations in military planning
EX: How will we fight and what will our Roles and Missions be in this new century of unconventional approaches to warfare.
-Meeting the United States' responsibilities with the current active-reserve structure.
-Improving coordination among the agencies tasked with Defense as well as diplomacy such as the DoD, State department, CIA, etc.
Program Report
Media Advisory
Video of the forum:
How Will We Fight? (Roles & Missions)
At What Cost? (Procurement/Defense Budget)
Joint WarFare in the 21st Century
Who Will Fight For Us? (Personnel)
Brother, do you have a DIME? (Interagency)
PowerPoint Presentations:
At What Cost? Mackenzie Eaglen, The Heritage Foundation
Towards a Balanced and Sustainable Defense-Frank Hoffman, Center for Emerging Threats and Opportunities
Feb. 6,
Economic Stimulus and Military Construction for the National Guard and Reserves-MILCON Forum Summary
On 6, February, the Reserve Officers Association (ROA)-Defense Education Forum (DEF) in conjunction with the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) sponsored a forum on the topic of Military Construction (MILCON), especially as it relates to the Reserve Components.
PowerPoint Presentations:
Mr. Lochers Presentation
Video of the forum:
Video
2008
November
Nov. 19,
DoD/VA Healthcare Symposium: A Review of Total Force Care
Summary
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates assigned a very high priority to the provision of health care services to Service members who have a service related injury - “They deserve the very best facilities and care to recuperate from their injuries and ample assistance to navigate the next step in their lives, and that is what we intend to give them. Apart from the war itself, this department and I have no higher priority.” Within that context the DoD/VA Health care Symposium, Total Force Health Care was convened to address the comprehensive application of DoD/VA Total Force health care management. The symposium was designed to review the DoD/VA health care programs, identify the gaps with special emphasis on inequities between components, and to identify next steps to facilitate comprehensive health care for the Total Force.
The primary objectives of the symposium included:
1. Review the current DoD / VA health care programs and their applicability across components;
2. Identify the requirements for a comprehensive DoD / VA health care program;
3. Assess gaps and redundancies; and
4. Recommend next steps to facilitate a program of comprehensive health care for the Total Force.
The symposium brought together the senior leaders in DoD health care and VA health care to present the vision and objectives in synchronizing care for the Total Force. We engaged Congressional input to identify their perspective on the issues of managing Total Force health care. The symposium then set the stage with a panel of senior subject matter experts who presented an overview of the existing programs aimed at facilitating DoD/VA health care transition. A key note presentation by Kim Dozier highlighted the criticality of a continuum of care. The final panel moved to the warfighting commander’s perspectives to further identify mission needs from the DoD VA health care continuum. A working session building on the participants’ knowledge engaged participants in a facilitated discussion to define the underlying issues affecting the DoD/VA continuum of care: the continued challenges; gaps and redundancies; and recommendations for next steps to address the critical issues in optimizing Service Member continuum of care from DoD to VA health support.
The key findings focused on two main issues and the enablers to support the continuum of care: Eligibility (component specific), and Availability of services. Availability was further identified as system capacity (were there enough providers), specific clinical service (was the clinical service and expertise available), and geographic challenges (was the service available in the Service Members location). The participants recommended further, more in-depth review of the Total Force impact of the changing requirements and interoperability of DoD/VA health care services and the total cost of those services. Key recommendations for further study relative to eligibility were based on consistency and simplification of the benefits determination process between DoD and VA across and between all components and services. Key recommendations for further study relative to availability were based on capacity to provide services within DoD and VA for service and outreach as well as providers and services throughout TRICARE. Enablers to improving DoD/VA Total Force health care included leadership emphasis on the process, access to electronic health records, a streamlined process for determining eligibility, educational programs on the process, and a focus on preventive health.
Final Report
Nov. 14,
National Security Forum
The Defense Education Forum went on the road to Indianapolis, Ind. to host a program with Matthew Rojansky, Executive Director of Project for a Secure America, Judy Oliver of the Henry L. Stimson Center, and Robert Feidler, ROA's Director of Strategic Education.
October
Oct. 27,
Junior Officer Shortage Program
The shortage of Company Grade officers in the USAR and ARNG is a serious issue that hasn't gotten nearly the attention it deserves. With strength numbers around 50-55% for Company Grade officers, our Army RCs are broken. DEF and NGEF hosted speakers from USAR and ANGR leadership as well as representatives from the Department of Defense and a panel of Junior Officers.
Report on the Junior Officer Shortage Program
Oct. 16,
Joint IED Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) Lecture
JIEDDO mission: focus (lead, advocate, coordinate) all DoD actions in support of Combatant Commanders' and their respective Joint Task Forces' efforts to defeat Improvised Explosive Devices as weapons of strategic influence.
DETAILS
Oct. 15,
QDR Forum
The National Guard Association of the United States and the Reserve Officers Association hosted a forum to discuss a look-back at the 2006 QDR and a look-forward to the upcoming QDR. This forum focused on the big issues related to the QDR and also included specific comment from the RC perspective. Video and Presentations from the forum are available here:
QDR Forum Information
Oct. 2,
Civil Affairs Roundtable
Civil Affairs and Strategic Communications Civil Affairs and Strategic Communications: explored the relationship between the civil affairs and strategic communications functions.
Oct. 1,
USNORTHCOM Forum
Discussion of the USNORTHCOM mission, organization, capabilities, and its interagency cooperation with organizations in the Homeland Security arena.
PowerPoint Presentation
NORAD & USNORTHCOM Operation Plans Summary-BG Bob Felderman
June 2008
In June we held two programs: the ninth in our series of Roundtables on Civil Affairs in Transition with George Mason University; and a program held with the American Bar Association Committee on Law and National Security that reviewed the Supreme Court decision (Boumediene) that related to the rights of Guantanamo detainees.
May 2008
May featured a program with the Project on National Security Reform on issues related to law, civil rights, and the Interagency; former Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton provided the keynote address to a National Security Breakfast program on Outsourcing of National Security.
April 2008
April featured programs on Homeland Security with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Canadian Business Roundtable and a series of programs/lectures related to the USAR 100th Anniversary including lectures by the USARC Deputy Commander, the G3, an Army Historian, and a representative of DIA discussing the RC role in military intelligence. We also hosted a group of students from the Army War College for a short program focused on legislation and Congress. A similar short program was given to members of a Pennsylvania National Guard unit as part of their annual training.
Apr. 24,
USERRA Webcast
A practitioner's guide to USERRA. Those interested in viewing this third-party program paid an advance fee to view the live program. ROA occasionally offers webcasts of its programs free of charge (e.g. http://www.roa.org/cngr_video). Generous donations from our members allow us to continue this great service: www.roa.org/donateDEF
Apr. 23,
100th Birthday of the USAR
This day-long event featured three programs with distinguished speakers from the DIA, USAR leadership and ROA membership. The celebration at ROA Headquarters and on the West Front of the US Capitol continued well into the evening with the USAR-100 Ball, hosted by LTG Stultz.
March
March 10,
Future of the Reserve Forces Policy Board (RFPB)
The Future of the Reserve Forces Policy Board (RFPB) was the topic of energized discussion in a landmark meeting of former RFPB Chairmen, sitting RFPB members, and representatives from the CNGR, the Department of Defense and Congress. At the end of the day, these past and present policymakers developed a list of recommendations collected in ROA/NGAUS letters addressed to the Secretary of Defense and the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees as well as both chambers’ subcommittees on Personnel.
View the Letter to SecDef
View the Letter to Congress
February 2008
Feb. 25,
Best Practices in Civil-Military Coordination: NGO Perspectives
As AFRICOM stands up in 2008, there are many issues to be discussed. Jane's sponsored an event hosted jointly by ROA and the State Department to discuss the role of ARFICOM as viewed by participants from several NGOs.
Feb. 10-13,
ROA Mid-Winter Conference - RCJOPDS
Mid-Winter gave DEF an opportunity to target young officers through a multi-day Joint Officer Professional Development Seminar (RCJOPDS). DEF organized 6 timely programs to include speakers from the field to Congress, from Senior NCOs to authors.
Additionally, DEF sponsored a second program on the NCGR, which can be viewed here.
Feb. 7,
Commission on the National Guard and Reserve
Commissioners Don Stockton and J. Stanton Thompson joined ROA for a discussion of their January 31, 2008 report. This program is available to watch, in full, online. Click here to view it.
January
Jan. 31,
Continuum of Service: Employers and the Reserve Components
Jointly sponsored by ROA and Booz Allen Hamilton, the RC/Employer forum brought employers, and military and Congressional officials to the table to discuss the many issues that have grown out of the up-tempo deployments of Reservists and National Guardsmen. Participants discussed the idea of "guaranteed employability" as a way to augment the current law, USERRA. A full report on this forum is due in March 2008.
DOWNLOAD/VIEW REPORT
2007
November
Nov 14,
Energy and National Security:The Role of Renewable Fuels
James Woolsey Jr. former Director of the CIA and a panel of defense experts.
America's growing dependence on foreign sources of oil carries with it some very real consequences. More information available here.
Nov. 7,
Future Threats Briefing with Dr. Dennis Bushnell, Chief Scientist at NASA's Langley Research Center
Dr. Bushnell advises leading elements of our defense, intelligence, and scientific departments of government on new trends and developments in science that relate to our national security. More information available here.
Nov. 2-4,
Global Civil Affairs Conference
An ROA sponsored event in conjunction with George Mason University and the Civil Affairs Association. The event will be held at the Arlington campus of GMU. More information available at: www.roa.org/ca_seminar .
October 2007
October 29,
Military Legislative Assistant 201
This forum was held to provide the opportunity to current and senior MLA’s, military liaison officers, and invited Congressional members who have a military background to be able to learn more about military issues and policies through a panel discussion environment. More information available here.
October 25,
Terrorism Series-"Combating Terrorism Financing: A Congressional Perspective"
Skip Fischer - Senior Professional Staff Member on the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, U.S. Senate, presented an overview of the current state of terrorist's money flows and the steps that the government is taking to cut this funding. More information available here.
October 17,
U.N. Law of the Sea Treaty: Historic Step Forward or Historic Blunder?
The Reserve Officers Association explored the arguments surrounding this important National Defense issue with this forum. More information available here.
October 15,
Mind the Gap: Post-Iraq Civil-Military Relations in America
This program was jointly sponsored with the Foreign Policy Research Institute of Philadelphia (FPRI). The event was held in the 5th floor conference center of the Reserve Officers Association, at One Constitution Avenue, NE, Washington, D.C., 20002. The luncheon keynote was Hon. Ike Skelton, Chair House Armed Services Committee. More information available here.
September 28,
Homeland Security Breakfast- "State Defense Forces"
John E. Stone, founder and president of U.S. Freedom Foundation, looked at the current and future status of State Defense Forces. More information available here.
August 8,
Civil Affairs in Transition: Education and Training
Sixth in the series. The event focused on education and training in CA in the various services and featured faculty from a variety of education and training entities as well as a discussion of post graduate work in the general civil affairs area. Location: Arlington Campus of George Mason University, the "Original" Building on Fairfax Drive. Presentations at this event are available in pdf format for downloading:
July 20,
Forum on Continuum of Service: Healthcare Delivery for Members of the Reserve Components
This invitation only event, included experts from the military, private sector and think tanks, to discuss critical issues, gaps and solutions to creating a seamless, continuum of healthcare delivery to members of the RC. We conducted the Forum on 20 July 2007 with an illustrious and diverse group of participants. They have identified critical gaps, barriers, options and solutions regarding the healthcare management system, especially as it relates to the Reserve Components. We are pleased to share with you the attached report from the Forum on the Continuum of Healthcare for the Reserve Components (pdf).
July 19,
PNSR Case Study- "The Iran-Contra Scandal"
As part of the historical case studies series, The Project on National Security Reform and the Reserve Officers Association presented a roundtable event on interagency reform to discuss Alex Douville’s case study, "The Iran-Contra Scandal." The event was held in the 4th floor conference room of the Reserve Officers Association, at One Constitution Avenue, NE, Washington, D.C., 20002.
June 27,
USERRA Update
San Franciscio Marriott Hotel immediately prior to the beginning of the ROA National Convention.
Featured speakers included CAPT (R) Sam Wright and COL Walter Herin as well as ESGR representatives. Program reviewed the employment protection and anti-discrimination provision of USERRA and discussed the procedures and role of ESGR, the Dept of Labor and the Office of Special Counsel.
May 10,
Distinguished Senior Service School Lecture Series- "Terrorist Nuclear Threat to America"
Second in the Senior Service School Lecture Series features Peter Huessy, Senior Defense Fellow, NDU Foundation. Right click to download Press Release: Peter Huessy (Word document)
May 11,
Homeland Security Breakfast Series-"Project on National Security Reform"
Featuring Jim Locher on the Project on National Security Reform (PNSR). The PNSR is an ambitious project to take a comprehensive look at our national security structure, laws and policies and suggest revisions to them next year which will substantially replace the National Security Act of 1947.
Right click to download Press Release: The Hon. James Locher III (Word Document)
May 17,
PNSR Case Study- "Propaganda and Psychological Operations (Cold War)"
Professor Carnes Lord, Professor of Military and Naval History, Naval War College, speaking on this topic.
April 12,
Civil Affairs in Transition: The Justice Sector
This was the fifth in this series and featured the Ambassador from Iraq to the United States, His Excellency Samir Sumaida’ie, and experts on justice sector issues -- penal, courts, and prisons. Bob Feidler, ROA Director of Strategic Defense Education, presented the opening overview on Rule of Law. He was followed by Judge Larry Rubini and Prosecutor Michael Cleary (both of whom served in Iraq working with their court system) on courts; John Bozicevich (who worked with the Iraqi police) on the police structures within Iraq; and Terry Bartlett of ICITAP at the Department of Justice and Richard Mayer of the Department of State on prison and police issues. 43 people attended.
April 24,
Distinguished Senior Service School Lecture Series-“Why Peace Agreements Fail.”
First in our series featuring a variety of scholars discussing important national security issues. Dr. Michael Baranick, a faculty member at NDU in the Center for Technology and National Security Policy, and also a specialist in reconstruction and stabilization, discussed “Why Peace Agreements Fail.”
April 26,
Project on National Security Reform (PNSR) Case Study- “Pandemics.”
First in this series was presented by Dr. John Shortal. ROA is very active in supporting the most comprehensive look at our national security structure in recent history. Its goal is to present a series of recommendations to the President and Congress in 2008. A part of that effort has been to have distinguished national security figures develop and present case studies on national security topics that might illuminate successes, failures and processes from the past that might suggest solutions for the future. In late April, May and June, ROA co-sponsored together with the Heritage Foundation, a series of programs at which three of these Case Studies were delivered.
March 2,
USERRA Legal Rights of Reservists Regarding Employment
Speakers included the U.S. Special Counsel (enforces USERRA), Sam Wright (the author of the original legislation) JAGS, an ESGR ombudsman, a Labor Department representative, private attorneys, and other experts discussed this important law and its application to RC members. CLE credit was also given for this program- a first for ROA (5 hours). We had approximately 35 attendees.
March 29,
Equipping the Reserve Components
This program featured Congressman Ortiz, Chair of the Readiness Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee; Janet St. Laurent, the lead GAO investigator conducting research into RC equipment needs; Christina Wormuth, Senior Fellow on defense issues, of the Center for Strategic and International Studies; LTG Stephen Blum, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau; a service panel representing all the Federal Reserve components; and Patricia Walker, DASD for Material and Facilities at ASD-RA. The conference highlighted equipment shortages of the RC and its impact on readiness. The conference also pointed out the necessity of getting dollars that either have been appropriated or will be in future years for the RC, into the RC and not diverted. Portions of the program were broadcast by the Pentagon TV channel throughout the DoD system. There were about 45 attendees. Program Summary
February 2007
February 2,
Civil Affairs in Transition: The Private Sector
This was the fourth in this series and featured the interrelationship of Civil Affairs and the Private Sector. It was sponsored by the Emerging Markets Group, a leading private sector contractor engaged in a variety contractual work with the USG including efforts in stability and reconstruction ops. This session featured representatives from NGOs and private contractors from a variety of perspectives. Our featured speaker was the Hon. Michael Hess, Assistant Administrator of USAID.
ROA Mid-Winter
Featured during the track programs were former ASDs Steve Duncan, discussing the operational reserve, and Frank Gaffney on Militant Islam and what the U.S. response needs to be. One program also featured the movie Obsession, about the Islamic threat in the words of the militants. JOLDTS attendance set a record with approximately 225 attendees.
CNGR Commissioners Report Video
ROA hosted a review of the CNGR Report by Commissioners Don Stockton and J. Stanton Thompson on February 7, 2008. You can view the video of that report online at http://www.roa.org/cngr_video. A current version of the Internet Explorer Browser and version 9 of the free Windows Media Player are recommended.
View CNGR Video
January 18,
Terrorism Series- "Terrorism: An Update for Policymakers"
This first in a series program featured the senior terrorism analyst of the Library of Congress hosting a discussion on terrorism. Panelists included David Kay, the Iraqi Arms Inspector and a terrorism consultant; David Kaplan, the terrorism reporter for US News and World Report; and John Brennan, a private sector security and terrorism analyst with extensive intelligence experience who also headed the Counter Terrorism Center at the CIA. The panel commented on the impact of terrorism on the RC. (total attendance was about 50).
January 25
Continuum of Service Forum
This invitation only program featured individuals from both DoD and academia addressing the latest thinking as it relates to the concept of continuum of service and the operational reserve. Speakers included people such as Asst. Undersecretary for Personnel and Manpower Michael Dominguez, Dr. Winkler from ASD for Reserve Affairs, several Assistant Secretaries from the Services including Secretary Navas, Denning and Goodwin, and leading people from think tanks and institutions such as CSIS, CAN, Booz Allen and Wexford.
 Download the complete program summary (Word document)
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2006
December
December 5,
Civil Affairs in Transition- the Interagency
This was the third in this series and featured CA and it relationship to the Interagency. Speakers came from various civilian departments of the USG, including luncheon speaker Ambassador Herbst, the Coordinator for Stability and Reconstruction Operations at the Department of State. The panel included a senior USAID representative, the Iraq project chief for the United States Institute for Peace (and CA officer) and another CA officer who just came off a PRC in Afghanistan and who now is at DOS. Martin Lidy of IDA gave an outstanding keynote brief to introduce the topic based a large study he had just completed for JFCOM. 61 attendees.
December 7,
Crisis Leadership: Securing Societies, Protecting Homelands.
Co-sponsored with the Center for the Study of the Presidency. It featured addresses by Dr. David Abshire (head of the CSP) and Under Secretary George Foresman, the Under Secretary for Preparedness at DHS. Two panels provided additional commentary. 55 people attended.
November
November 16,
Third in the Distinguished National Security Authors Series
With The Heritage Foundation. President Michael Smith gave the opening remarks and introduced the speaker Max Boot.
October
October 13,
Second in the Distinguished National Security Authors Series
with Heritage. Bob Feidler gave the opening remarks and introduced the speaker- Dr. Williamson Murray.
October 18,
Civil Affairs in Transition
This was the second in this series. Featured speakers included representatives from NDU, JAG HQ, Department of the Army, a Marine Civil Affairs Group Commander, a representative from the OSD office for Stability Operations, and leaders of the Civil Affairs Association. 42 attendees.
Indiana DEF sponsored program
conducted by Bill Willis of the Indiana Department. It was held in Indianapolis in late October and featured both serving officers and a distinguished veteran of WWII.
September
September 19,
Program comparing UK and US stability and reconstruction operation policies and results.
Co-sponsored with the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) here in Washington. 40 attendees.
September 22,
First in the Distinguished National Security Authors series
co-sponsored with the Heritage Foundation. LTG McCarthy gave opening remarks and introduced the speaker Dr. Carafano.
September 29,
President Bush speech.
Partially funded by DEF. 350 attendees.
July
July 19,
Forum for Employers
Co-sponsored with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Texas Department of the ESGR, this program featured LTG Stultz, the Army Reserve Chief, Texas ESGR leaders, and an executive from USAA to discuss various issues of interest to employers about their rights and duties concerning their RC employees. 52 attendees.
July 26,
Civil Affairs in Transition in the 21st Century
Co-sponsored with George Mason University. This was the first in a five-part series. Featured were speakers from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict office at OSD, and the Commander of the first ever AC Civil Affairs Brigade. 38 attendees.
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The program highlighted how by moving up the timetable for a number of projects that are ready to proceed (“shovel ready”) we could have the double impact of both creating an economic stimulus as well as improving or creating badly needed facilities for the RC. Better facilities will both lead to increased readiness, morale improvement, and a higher quality of life for our soldiers, sailors, and airmen who train, mobilize and stage homeland defense and disaster response from Reserve facilities.
Key speakers at the forum included:
-Congressional staff
-Lieutenant Colonel Eric Elsmo, Former Congressional Budget Liaison for MILCON, Army Budget Office
-Major General Kelly McKeague, National Guard Bureau-Chief of Staff
-Brigadier General Julia A. Kraus, United States Army Reserve
-Rear Admiral Jon Bayless, United States Naval Reserve
-Major General Emmett R. Titshaw, Air National Guard
-Major General Raymond Carpenter, Army National Guard
January
Jan. 28,
Project on National Security Reform:
James R. Locher III, Executive Director of the Project on National Security Reform (PNSR), discussed the newly-released report, "Forging a New Shield." which was the result of three years of effort by the PNSR. The PNSR is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to transforming the U.S. national security system to meet the national security needs of the United States for the 21st century. The project broke its 7 themes for action into 38 recommendations. The Project is now working closely with the Legislative and Executive branches to implement these recommendations contained in its report which can be found through the PSNR website.
Program Report
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