INFANTRY OFFICER
Captain Brian Donlon is a Marine Officer currently serving as an instructor at the Infantry Officer Course, The Basic School, Marine Corps Base Quantico.
Capt Donlon received his commission in May 2002. After graduating The Basic School (Echo Company 2002) and Infantry Officer Course (3-03) he reported to 2d Battalion, 6th Marines in June 2003. There he served as a Rifle Platoon Commander in Echo Company, deploying to Okinawa, Japan as part of the Unit Deployment Program from September 2003 to April 2004. Upon returning to the United States, Captain Donlon was assigned to Weapons Company where he served as the Combined Anti-Armor Team Platoon Commander from June 2004 to June 2006. During this time he deployed twice to Iraq, first in support of the Anti-Terrorism Battalion Baghdad Task Force (September 2004-March 2005) and then to conduct counterinsurgency operations in Fallujah, Al Anbar Province, Iraq (September 2005-April 2006). In June 2006, Captain Donlon was reassigned to The Basic School, Quantico where he served as the Infantry Platoon Commander, Combat Instructor Company, Instructor Battalion until September 2007 when he assumed his current billet.
Capt Donlon is a graduate of The Basic School Basic Officer Course, Infantry Officer Course and Joint Tactical Air Controller Primer Course.
Capt Donlon holds a BA in History and an MT in Secondary Social Studies from the University of Virginia. He is a member of the U.S. Naval Institute and Marine Corps Association. His writing has been featured in the Marine Corps Gazette, Outdoor Life magazine and on the Fox News website.
MILITARY FELLOW
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAM
CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
Commander Doug Fears is the 2009-2010 Coast Guard Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). He reported to CSIS from sea duty as Commanding Officer in USCGC Diligence (WMEC 616). He is a native of Maryland's Eastern Shore and has served in seven ships, commanding two of them. At sea, he served in USCGC Taney (WHEC 37) as a deck seaman; USCGC Basswood (WLB 388) as Operations Officer; USS Vincennes (CG 49) as the Aegis Fire Control Officer; USS Leahy (CG 16) as the Combat Information Center Officer; USCGC Sitkinak (WPB 1329) as Commanding Officer; USCGC Thetis (WMEC 910) as Executive Officer; and most recently in USCGC Diligence (WMEC 616) as Commanding Officer. In over a decade of sea service, Commander Fears has conducted drug interdiction, alien migrant interdiction, search and rescue, fisheries enforcement, homeland security, and defense operations.
Ashore, CDR Fears specialized in Coast Guard operations, Congressional liaison, the federal budgeting process and the federal policy coordinating process. He served as a Command Center Controller in the Thirteenth Coast Guard District in Seattle, Aide and Executive Assistant to the Thirteenth Coast Guard District Commander, Assistant Coast Guard Liaison to the U.S. House of Representatives, and Program Reviewer for the law enforcement, counter-terrorism, Maritime Domain Awareness, and command and control architecture programs in the Coast Guard Headquarters Office of Budget and Programs. His most recent staff assignment was at the White House as Director for Central America and the Caribbean Basin on the National Security Council staff, where he coordinated U.S. policy toward Cuba, Central America and the Caribbean.
CDR Fears is a designated Coast Guard Cutterman, a designated Navy Surface Warfare Officer, a licensed Master Mariner, and has been awarded over forty personal, unit, campaign, and service awards. His personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, two awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, four awards of the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal and the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal. He was also awarded the 1997 U.S. Navy League's Captain David H. Jarvis Award for Inspirational Leadership and the 2005 U.S. Coast Guard Academy Alumni Achievement Award. He is an alumnus of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, the U.S. Naval War College and Harvard University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Government, a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies, and a Master in Public Administration degree, respectively. CDR Fears was selected for promotion to the rank of Captain in August 2009.
Editorial Board
LT Bradley D. Harrison, USNR
DIRECTOR, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
L3 COMMUNICATIONS
Lieutenant Harrison is a former Capitol Hill defense staff member. From February 2008 to June 2009, LT Harrison served as the Military Legislative Assistant to Congressman Robert J. Wittman (VA-01).
In this capacity, he handled Congressman Wittman's House Armed Services Committee portfolio and served as a liaison to the veterans and military bases in Virginia's 1st Congressional District, to include Marine Corps Base Quantico, Dahlgren Naval Weapons Station, Fort A.P. Hill, Yorktown Naval Weapons Station, Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown, Fort Eustis, Langley Air Force Base, and the Newport News Shipyard.
Prior to joining Congressman Wittman's staff, LT Harrison served as an active duty submarine officer for over six years. During his shore duty, he served in Arlington, VA as the SSGN Division Head at Strategic Systems Programs (SSP). While onboard the USS Florida (SSGN-728), he coordinated an Operational Test Launch of a salvo of four Tomahawks against land-based targets on Eglin Air Force Base. Prior to his time at SSP, Harrison served onboard the USS Oklahoma City (SSN-723) for 36 months in a variety of capacities.
During his time onboard, the nuclear-powered warship traveled over 90,000 miles from her homeport of Norfolk, VA to the Western Pacific Ocean in support of national security objectives. Highlights included traveling underneath the ice of the North Pole for over two weeks and serving as an Officer of the Deck during a 14-hour Panama Canal transit. Additionally, while serving as the Oklahoma City's Damage Control Assistant, his proudest moment came when his division established the highest re-enlistment and retention rate on the Norfolk waterfront.
LT Harrison holds a B.S. in Political Science from the United States Naval Academy and an M.S. in Engineering Management from the Catholic University of America. He serves in a voluntary role as the Director of Congressional Affairs for the Naval Submarine League as well as the Head Diving Coach at Bishop McNamara High School. LT Harrison is a member of the U.S. Naval Institute, the Military Officers Association of America, the National Defense Industrial Association, the American Society of Naval Engineers, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Alexandria Chapter of the American Legion, and the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association.
Editorial Board
CAPT James C. Howe, USCG (Ret.)
DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY
FOR LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS
Captain Howe assumed his duties in the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Legislative Affairs in May 2008. As Deputy Assistant Secretary for Operations, he is responsible for the day-to-day activities of the office, for strategic planning, and for leading the office's transition into the next administration. He is the senior career civil servant in the office.
CAPT Howe retired from the U.S. Coast Guard in May following a 31-year career. His last duty assignment began in July 2005, where as Chief of Congressional Affairs he oversaw all Coast Guard activity related to Capitol Hill.
From 2003 to 2005, CAPT Howe served in the Office of the Vice President as a Special Advisor for homeland security, focusing on border and transportation security issues.
He is a 1981 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Government. In 1991 he earned a Master of Liberal Arts degree in Government from Harvard University (extension school). In 2002 he graduated from the Marine Corps War College, earning a Master of Strategic Studies.
CAPT Howe is a career Coast Guard cutterman, having served eleven years at sea, most recently in command of the 270-foot cutter TAMPA. Assignments ashore have been as Deputy Chief of Coast Guard Congressional Affairs; Liaison to the Naval Doctrine Command in Norfolk, Virginia; Public Affairs Officer for the Seventh Coast Guard District in Miami, FL; and Operations Center Controller, First Coast Guard District, Boston, MA.
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SgtMaj David C. Howell, USMC
Sergeant Major
Training and Education Command (TECOM)
Sergeant Major Howell, originally from Saint Louis, Missouri, enlisted in the Marine Corps on August 6, 1979, upon graduation from high school. After completing recruit training and Infantry Training School as a machine gunner, LCpl Howell was assigned to the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion. In May 1981, Corporal Howell reported for duty with 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, Okinawa.
In October 1982, Sgt Howell was transferred to 2d Force Reconnaissance Company until reassigned to recruiting duty in Chicago, Illinois, from October 1984 to November 1987. After recruiting duty, SSgt Howell reported to the Amphibious Reconnaissance School in Virginia as the SNOIC. In June 1989, he was again transferred to 2d Force Reconnaissance Company.
During Desert Shield/Storm, SSgt Howell was transferred to 2d Intelligence Company and served as the Company Gunnery Sergeant until his transfer in February of 1992 to the 3d Force Reconnaissance detachment in Okinawa. In February 1993, SSgt Howell was transferred to the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center (MCMWTC) and served until May 1995.
GySgt Howell was selected for the Royal Marine Exchange Program in June 1995 and served until June 1997. He was reassigned to MCMWTC until May 1998. Promoted to 1stSgt, he was transferred to Fox Company, 2d Battalion, 23d Third Marines, Salt Lake City, Utah in June 1998. In April 2001, he was transferred to Company L, 3d Battalion, 4th (3/4), 29 Palms, CA.
In April 2002, SgtMaj Howell was promoted and served as the Battalion Sergeant Major for 3/4 from April 2002 to April 2005. After the battalion deployed to OIF I and II, he was assigned to Inspector-Instructor (I-I) duty in Boston, Massachusetts for the 25th Marine Regiment. He deployed and served as a brigade adviser for the Iraqi Army in Fallujah and Ramadi from June 2005 to March 2006. After his tour of duty on I-I, he served as the Sergeant Major for the 7th Marine Regiment from March 2007 to June 2008 in 29 Palms, CA. Currently, SgtMaj Howell is the Sergeant Major for Training and Education Command (TECOM) located in Quantico, VA.
SgtMaj Howell has attended Army Airborne School, Navy Dive School, Amphibious Reconnaissance School, Army Ranger School, Water Safety Survival Course, Special Forces Military Free Fall Course, Special Forces Weapons Qualification Course, Special Forces SERE Instructor Course, Summer and Winter Mountain Leader programs, Naval Gunfire School, and HRST. He is PME complete.
His personal decorations include three Bronze Star medals (two with ""V""), the Navy Commendation medal with gold star and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal with 4 gold stars.
Editorial Board
MH-60S REQUIREMENTS OFFICER
N88, OPNAV STAFF
CAPT (SEL) Mifsud was commissioned through the NROTC program at the University of Arizona on 22 December 1988 and was designated a Naval Aviator on 25 May 1990. After completing H-3 Fleet Replacement Pilot training in February 1991 at Helicopter Combat Support Squadron ONE, he joined Helicopter Combat Support Squadron SIXTEEN where he was a member of the decommissioning crew.
In June 1994, CAPT (SEL) Mifsud reported as a student to the Naval Postgraduate School where he earned an M.S. in Management with Distinction. Additionally, he received the Systems Management Faculty Award for Excellence in Management and qualified as a Certified Professional Logistician from the Society of Logistics Engineers. Following NPS, he reported to USS Austin (LPD-4) in Norfolk, VA where he served as the ship's Air Officer and Fuels Officer and qualified as an Officer of the Deck (Underway).
In November 1998, CAPT (SEL) Mifsud reported to Commander, Helicopter Tactical Wing, U.S. Atlantic Fleet in Norfolk, VA as Administrative Officer; then on to Helicopter Combat Support Squadron TWO where he served as Maintenance Officer, Admin Officer and Safety Officer. On this tour, he also deployed as OIC of Detachment TWO ""Desert Ducks"" in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH.
In November 2001, CAPT (SEL) Mifsud joined Helicopter Combat Support Squadron THREE in San Diego, CA, for the community's transition to the MH-60S Knighthawk. He served as the Fleet Replacement Squadron Executive Officer, Training Officer and MH-60S Flight Instructor. CAPT (SEL) Mifsud then reported to Commander, U.S. THIRD Fleet, San Diego, CA in September 2003 and served as Executive Assistant to the Commander and Air Operations and Schedules Officer. Upon detaching, he attended the Joint Forces Staff College, Joint Combined Warfighting School in Norfolk, VA, graduating in November 2005.
CAPT (SEL) Mifsud then reported to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO ONE in June 2006. He deployed in October 2006 to Kuwait as the Commander, 2515th Naval Air Ambulance Detachment in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. He took command of the Blackjacks in December 2007 and led the squadron to win the Battle E, Safety S and Retention Excellence awards in 2008. He reported to OPNAV N88 as the MH-60S Requirements Officer in April 2009.
His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), the Navy Commendation Medal (six awards), the Army Commendation Medal and the Navy Achievement Medal.
LCDR Jeffrey W. Novak, USCG
Executive Officer,
USCGC BEAR (WMEC 901)
Lieutenant Commander Novak is a native of Stone Mountain, GA, and a 1995 graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy (BS Government.) He reported to his current assignment from Coast Guard Atlantic Area, where he served as the Budget and Programs Reviewer in the Resource and Performance Management Division. Among his responsibilities in this role were the management of over 26,000 Coast Guard military, civilian, and reserve positions on the Personnel Allowance List and coordination of the Atlantic Area Commander's input into the Coast Guard's annual budget build process.
Following commissioning LCDR Novak was assigned to USCGC Jarvis (WHEC 725) in Honolulu, HI. In Jarvis he served as a Deck Watch Officer and Combat Systems Officer on deployments throughout the Pacific, Ocean. In 1997 LCDR Novak assumed duties as Executive Officer on board USCGC Block Island (WPB 1344), home port at Atlantic Beach, NC. During this tour, he participated in major counter drug and counter migrant Operations FRONTIER SHIELD, FRONTIER LANCE, and FRONTIER SABER.
LCDR Novak reported to Vessel Traffic Service Houston/Galveston as a Supervisory Vessel Traffic Control Specialist, and later as Operations Officer. There, He was instrumental to the interagency and intergovernmental response to the flooding event of Tropical Storm Allison, acting as the Operations Section Chief for urban search and rescue, directing small boat and helicopter rescues throughout Houston.
LCDR Novak assumed duties as Commanding Officer of USCGC Block Island (WPB 1344) in 2002. While in command of Block Island, he prepared his crew to assume control of USCGC Grand Isle (WPB 1338), and then deployed in Grand Isle as part of Coast Guard Patrol Forces Mediterranean, to carry out port and coastal security operations in support of U.S. and coalition forces during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, and for three months at the onset of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.
He holds a Master of Public Administration Degree from East Carolina University, rand was one of the first students to receive the University's Graduate Certificate in Security Studies. LCDR Novak graduated with Distinction from the College of Naval Command and Staff at the Naval War College. There, He received the Director's Award for Academic Excellence and was also a finalist for the McGinnis Family Award. Through this curriculum he also completed Joint Professional Military Education Phase I.
LCDR Novak's military decorations include the Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Achievement Medal, two awards of the Meritorious Service Medal with Operational Distinguishing Device, the Coast Guard Commendation Medal with Operational Distinguishing Device, and three awards of the Coast Guard Achievement Medal with Operational Distinguishing Device.
CDR John P. Patch, USN (Ret.)
Chief, Acquisition Support Division
Directorate for Analysis, DIA
Commander Patch assumed his duties as Chief, Acquisition Support Division, Defense Warning Office, in the Defense Intelligence Agency's Directorate for Analysis in May 2009. He leads and manages a large group of scientific and technical intelligence analysts focused on future threat assessments for defense and policy acquisition decision-makers. He most recently served at the U.S. Army War College as an Associate Professor of Strategic Intelligence, acting as the senior strategic intelligence subject matter expert for the Army War College Center for Strategic Leadership, directing the design, preparation, and conduct of intelligence curriculum in strategic war gaming and long-term threat assessments.
CDR Patch retired from the Navy after a 20-year career as a surface warfare and intelligence officer. His most recent military assignment was as the Director of the National Maritime Intelligence Watch at the Office of Naval Intelligence, a joint global watch floor manned by Navy and Coast Guard personnel, providing 24-hour strategic indications and warning and all-source maritime intelligence assessments to the U.S. Government, Intelligence Community, and Defense customers.
From 2002 to 2005, he served as Chief of Targets Branch at the Joint Intelligence Center, U.S. Central Command, providing strategic advice to Commander, U.S. Central Command on targeting plans, policy, and operations during a period of significant combat operations.
From 2000 to 2002, he served aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) as the Aircraft Carrier Intelligence Center Officer, directing 100 personnel in daily intelligence center threat warning and strike support operations for the carrier strike group and a twenty-ship Navy Carrier Strike Force during active combat operations.
From 1997 to 2000, while assigned as a Senior Analyst and Team Chief on the Joint Chiefs of Staff as a Defense Intelligence Agency analyst, he led watch team analysis and production of daily Balkans regional briefings for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense during a period of combat operations in Yugoslavia; he also deployed to Bosnia.
From 1988 to 1997, CDR Patch served on amphibious warships supporting ARG deployments, including a tour as an LCAC Detachment Officer-in-Charge. He also taught Naval Science at the Villanova NROTC Unit.
CDR Patch was commissioned from NROTC Unit Villanova (Political Science) and completed graduate work in international relations and national security affairs, including a MA from Villanova University and a Graduate Certificate in Strategy and Policy from Old Dominion University. He is a graduate of the Naval War College and Joint Forces Staff College and is a designated Joint Specialty Officer.
Editorial Board
CAPT Kevin G. Quigley, USCG (Ret.)
CHIEF, RESOURCE & PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
DIVISION, COAST GUARD ATLANTIC AREA
Captain Quigley entered the Coast Guard through Officer Candidate School in 1981 shortly after receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from Drexel University. He has been assigned as Chief, Resource and Performance Management Division at Coast Guard Atlantic Area since June 2008. He is also currently assigned by the Department of Homeland Security as the pre-designated Deputy Principal Federal Official to oversee the federal government's response to major hurricanes in the Southeast Unites States.
CAPT Quigley has experience in a variety of demanding billets at sea and ashore. A career cutterman, his afloat assignments include tours as Commanding Officer of USCGC Harriet Lane (WMEC-903) and USCGC Baranof (WPB1318), Executive Officer of USCGC Forward (WMEC-911) and USCGC Shearwater (WSES-3), and Deck Watch Officer on USCGC Chase (WHEC-718). Prior to reporting to Atlantic Area, he served as Coast Guard Liaison to U.S. Fleet Forces Command and U.S. Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia. From 2003-2006 he served concurrently as Deputy Director of Response Policy and Chief of the Office of Security and Defense Operations in Coast Guard Headquarters. In those capacities CAPT Quigley oversaw policy development and program management for a wide range of Coast Guard's operational programs, including: Defense Operations, Maritime Law Enforcement, Counter-Terror, Search and Rescue, Environmental Response, and the Ports, Waterways and Coastal Security programs. Other assignments ashore include duties as Senior Coast Guard Officer at the Navy's Afloat Training Group Atlantic, Program Reviewer in the Office of the Chief of Staff of the Coast Guard, Senior Duty Officer in the Seventh Coast Guard District Command Center in Miami, Florida, and Planning Officer at Coast Guard Group Woods Hole, Massachusetts. As a boarding officer aboard Chase and Shearwater, CAPT Quigley seized five vessels for narcotics smuggling, netting over 68,000 lbs of marijuana and 18 arrests. He coordinated hundreds of other narcotics and migrant interdictions while assigned to Harriet Lane, Baranof and the Seventh District Command Center, and acted as Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator for the first space shuttle launches following the Challenger disaster.
CAPT Quigley was awarded the Master of Public Administration degree from George Washington University in 1994, where he was selected for membership in Pi Alpha Alpha, the National Honor Society for Public Administration. He is also a distinguished graduate of the Marine Corps War College, where he was awarded the Master of Strategic Studies degree in 2003. His decorations include two awards of the Legion of Merit, two Meritorious Service Medals with Operational Distinguishing Device, three Coast Guard Commendation Medals with Operational Distinguishing device, three Coast Guard Achievement Medals with Operational Distinguishing device, and numerous other unit, campaign, and service awards.
Editorial Board
LTC Sharon A. Tosi, USAR
MILITARY ANALYST
JOINT ADVANCED WARFIGHTING PROGRAM
Lieutenant Colonel Tosi is a native of Little Falls, New Jersey. She was commissioned in 1990 from the United States Military Academy, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Psychology.
After completing Airborne school, the Junior Officer Maintenance Course and the Missile and Munitions Officer Basic Course, LTC Tosi was assigned to Baumholder, Germany in 1991. She functioned as the Control Officer and Executive Officer for the largest Ammunition Supply Point in Europe.
In 1993 she moved to Fort Sill, Oklahoma where she was assigned as the Training Officer for the 3/30th Field Artillery Battalion. A few months later she left active duty and transferred to the Reserves.
Her first reserve unit was the 4003rd Garrison Command in Oklahoma City and then Fort Chaffee, Arkansas where she served on a variety of staff positions and attended the Officer Advanced Course.
In 1995 she moved to the 75th Division (Exercise) at Fort Sill, where she served as Combat Service Support Observer/Controller. In 1997, MAJ Moore moved to the 78th Battle Projection Group in Fort Dix, New Jersey, where she was assigned as a Senior Simulations Coach. In 2003 she was mobilized at Fort Dix to function as the unit Operations Officer in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
In October 2003, LTC Tosi was selected to be on the Army Staff as the Executive Officer for the Director of Operations, Readiness and Mobilization (G-33) and the Director for Mobilization and Reserve Affairs. While there she assigned, coordinated and reviewed all taskings from the Army and Joint Staffs and the Department of Defense leadership related to Army mobilization, readiness, current operations, special operations, military support to civil authorities and information operations.
In July 2005 LTC Tosi reported to the Joint Center for Operational Analysis, which is the Joint Forces Command lessons learned division. She serves as the Director's personal liaison and military analyst to the Joint Advanced Warfighting Program at the Intstitute for Defense Analyses in Alexandria, VA. Since she has been there she has deployed to Iraq three times in support of the Global War on Terrorism where she has worked on various projects involving Iraqi economics, counter-IED technology and force management.
LTC Tosi's personal awards include the Joint Service Medal, GWOT Expeditionary and Service Medals, the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (four awards), and Army Achievement Medal.
LTC Tosi has written for several publications such as The American Thinker, Military History and the JCOA bulliten. She has co-authored studies on the Iraqi economy, Hurricane Katrina, strategic communications, tribal relations, Iraqi elections, Iraqi reconciliation, Iran, Sudan and Enabling Forces. She also co-edited a book of War College essays entitled "Fresh From the Fight," which is being published in July 2007.
LTC Tosi holds a Master of Science degree in Education from Long Island University. She is currently a doctoral candidate in History at Leeds University. Her dissertation topic is Joint Army-Marine Operations in the Central Pacific during World War II. She also received the General Lemuel C. Shepard, Jr. Memorial Dissertation Fellowship from the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation in 2006.
Editorial Board
YNCM Ann L. Tubbs, USCGR
SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE MCPO-CG
Master Chief Tubbs began her career with the Coast Guard in July 1980 when she graduated from the Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, NJ and was assigned to Coast Guard Station Jonesport in West Jonesport, ME. After graduating from Machinery Technician ""A"" school, she was assigned aboard the Coast Guard icebreaker Glacier (WAGB-4) where she made two trips to Antarctica as part of Operation Deep Freeze. After leaving Glacier, Master Chief Tubbs spent two years in Mobile, AL as a small boat engineer running search and rescue boats in the Gulf of Mexico.
Editorial Board
Col Floyd J. Usry, Jr., USMC
MILITARY ASSISTANT TO ASN (RDA)
Colonel Usry is currently serving as the Military Assistant for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development & Acquisition).
Colonel Usry graduated from Appalachian State University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Industrial Technology. He holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College.
His military education includes The Basic School (1984), Naval Aviator flight training (Honors, 1986), Naval Gunfire Spotter Course (1987), Aviation Safety Officer's course (1989), Tactical Air Control Party (1990), Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School (Honors, 1991), Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI, 1993), Intermediate Systems Acquisition course (1998-1999), the Marine Corps Command and Staff College (1991) and Naval War College (2004). He is a graduate of the distinguished MIT Seminar XXI program on foreign policy and international affairs. Colonel Usry has earned five Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) as an Acquisition Professional Candidate, Weapons and Tactics Instructor, Aviation Safety Officer, Forward Air Controller and AH-1 Pilot.
Colonel Usry's Operational Fleet Marine Force Assignments include: Director Safety, Standardization and NATOPS, Aviation Safety Officer, Assistant Maintenance Officer, Logistics Officer, HMLA Detachment Officer-in-Charge, Forward Air Controller and Air Officer. Between 1986 and 1996, he served with HML/A-167, HML/A-269, HMM-264, HMM-365, HMH-362 and 2d Light Armored Infantry Battalion. He was the Commanding Officer of Marine Wing Support Squadron 374 in Twentynine Palms, California also responsible for operating the USMC's only Strategic Expeditionary Airfield (EAF).
His staff and instructor assignments include Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Instructor as the AH-1W Division Head and Offensive Air Specialist, MAWTS-1 (1996-1999). While at MAWTS-1 he was the architect and project officer for the first Urban Close Air Support Target Complex, (aka Yodaville). Following MAWTS-1, he was assigned as a Joint Aviation Acquisition Analyst, J-8, Joint Chiefs of Staff (1999-2001) responsible for analysis of future helicopter concepts, a rotary wing commonality assessment and a modeled analysis of attack helicopter combat performance. From 2004 to the present time, he has served in HQMC as the Chief of Staff on the USMC Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) Team; as the Director of the CMC Strategic Initiatives Group; and as the EA for DC PPO. During this time period, he participated in the CJCS Working Group to generate strategic options for Iraq and the CENTCOM region.
Colonel Usry's personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat ""V"", and the Combat Action Ribbon.
LT James E. Dolbow, USCGR 
