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PROGRAMS
Defense Education Forum (DEF) sponsored and cosponsored events. Many of the programs have an RC focus while others are broader in their scope and address major national security issues facing our Nation.
2010
July 29,
Field Report: Iraq in Transition
As the draw-down of U.S. forces in Iraq continues, the international community, the U.S., and Iraqis alike are collectively taking stock of accomplishments in the region. What real progress has been made and what challenges do we continue to face in theater? What can we expect from Iraqi forces, and what role will U.S. forces maintain? As part of a continuing series of Field Reports featuring returning combatant commanders, the Defense Education Forum (DEF), and the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) hosted an off-the-record discussion with LTG Charles Jacoby Jr. LTG Jacoby was the commanding General I Corps, US Army from June 2007 - June 2010. Jacoby also returns from his recent command of Multi-National Corps-Iraq where he was deployed from April 2009 - March 2010. During which time he oversaw the withdrawal of U.S. forces form major cities, the planning of the continued draw-down, and security surrounding the March parliamentary elections. LTG Jacoby is currently the nominee for Director of the Joint Staff.
May 13,
Conference on US-China Maritime Security Relations
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The growth and expansion of Chinese maritime power carries enormous implications for US seafaring interests abroad. However, the impact of China's increasing oceanic presence does not stop at the waters edge. China's naval maturation also carries broader implications for a potential sea change in US-China & Northeast Asian security relations. Conflicting claims of maritime and territorial sovereignty, the rights of foreign military craft to operate in the region, and China's claimed exclusive economic zone, are just a few of the persistent factors driving this issue. On May 13, ROA and the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) presented a conference to examine the current and future state of US-China maritime relations. The session addressed the prospects for conflict and accommodation, the merits of the each parties' claims, and the significance of these issues for broader US-China relations.
 Video Available in DEF Video Library |
April 28,
National Security Forum with CNO
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On Wednesday, April 28, DEF in partnership with the Army Navy Country Club, presented the second installment of an ongoing series of National Security Forums. This iteration of the series featured remarks by the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Gary Roughead. Roughead is one of only two officers to have commanded fleets in the Pacific and Atlantic, commanding the U.S. Pacific Fleet and Joint Task Force 519, as well as U.S. Fleet Forces Command, where he was responsible for ensuring Navy forces were trained, ready, equipped and prepared to operate around the world, where and when needed. A 1973 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Roughead has also served as commandant, United States Naval Academy, the Department of the Navy’s chief of legislative affairs, and as deputy commander, U.S. Pacific Command. On September 29, 2007 Admiral Roughead was named the 29th Chief of Naval Operations. ADM Roughead discussed his vision for U.S. naval operations within the current national security environment. |
April 22,
Legal Issues Related to Targeted Killings
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In the last decade, drones & unmanned aerial vehicles have taken on a predominate & successful role in U.S. military operations. The increasing utilization of this unique technology has also brought about increased scrutiny. Recent reports about accelerated rates of Predator attacks in Pakistan and Yemen, as well as reports alleging CIA participation in drone strikes have raised questions about the legal basis for the government to engage in targeted killings. On April 22, ROA, and The American Bar Association's Standing Committee on Law & National Security presented a panel discussion focused on this complex issue. Panelists examined military law, intelligence law, international human rights law, and the Constitution in their discussion of an applicable legal framework.
Video Available in DEF Video Library |
April 9,
Military Medicine Seminar
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The quality and availability of medical care to veterans and their families is an issue at the forefront of every servicemember's mind. As US forces remain heavily engaged on two fronts, this demand for quality medical care has only increased. So too has the expertise of military doctors service-wide, as invaluable lessons from experiences in both Iraq and Afghanistan take root. On April 9th DEF and DuPage Medical Group presented a seminar focusing on the state of military medicine. Topics addressed included the evaluation and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), medical training issues, traumatic response, and more.
Video Available in DEF Video Library |
Mar. 4,
Iraqi Civil Society Forum
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With just days remaining before Iraq's national election and amidst, the continuing drawdown of US troops, many questions persist regarding the ability of Iraq's civil society to safeguard the nation's sovereignty and stability. How does Iraq's current political climate affect the prospects for success? How are the needs of Iraqi civilians being met and what challenges continue to impede the efforts of Iraqi NGO's? What type of role will the US and its international partners have in supporting these organizations? On March 4, ROA and EPIC presented a panel of experts to examine these complex issues.
Video Available in DEF Video Library |
Feb. 7,
Continuing Legal Education on USERRA
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The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), the law that protects the civilian job rights of veterans and members of the National Guard and Reserve, continues to be of paramount importance to the Reserve Component. USERRA protects servicemembers from discrimination as well as guarantees them the right to reemployment in their civilian jobs after voluntary or involuntary military service. Over 740,000 National Guard and Reserve personnel have been deployed since 2001. For these individuals, USERRA is an essential part of their transition to and from civilian life. An important element of the successful enforcement of USERRA depends on attorneys with a full knowledge of this law and its implementation. To further ensure the availability of an informed legal community, able to protect the rights provided for within USERRA, DEF is teaming up with the Servicemember's Law Center to present a first class continuing legal education course during this year's national convention. This CLE course will be presented by one of the foremost experts on USERRA, Captain Samuel F. Wright, JAGC, USNR (Ret.). Capt. Wright previously worked for 10 years as a U.S. Department of Labor attorney during which time he and Susan M. Webman drafted the interagency product that eventually became USERRA.
Captain Wright has been the primary author of over 500 law review articles, mostly pertaining to USERRA and currently serves as the Director of the Servicemember's Law Center for ROA.
Video Available in DEF Video Library |
Jan. 26,
Resourcing the Army Reserve as an Operational Force
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The Army Reserve is recognized as America's premier reservoir of shared military-civilian skills and capabilities that supports and defends the Nation. To maintain this status, the Army Reserve must be adequately resourced to ensure it continues to operate at an optimum level. On Janurary 26, Assistant Chief of the Army Reserve, Mr. James L. Snyder visited ROA's headquarters to deliver remarks during this DEF event. The ACAR's message focused on the current resourcing needs of the Army Reserve as well as the potential consequences of an under resourced Reserve Component.
Video Available in DEF Video Library
Program Slides
Resourcing the Army Reserve
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Jan. 25,
East Asian Security Webcast with FPRI
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As US foreign policy under the Obama administration continues to take shape, questions persist regarding the definitions of power in East Asia. The source, scope, and influence of power in the region are subjects of paramount importance to US domestic and international security interests. What are the implications of China’s rising power and influence? What do such developments portend for China’s cooperation and conflict with the US? How do Japan’s economic troubles, security constraints, and new government affect its role as a regional power? What do domestic developments within smaller powers like Taiwan and Korea mean for greater powers and the relations among them? While questions abound, the answers to these concerns are not as clearly defined. On January 25, ROA's Defense Education Forum, and the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) presented a program aimed at addressing these complex issues. The event featured remarks by leading experts from the academic and diplomatic communities, including a keynote address by Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian & Pacific Affairs, The Hon. Kurt Campbell.
Video Available in DEF Video Library |
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