The Communications Chiefs Panel at the 2012 USMC IT Day

Many thanks to all who attended the Quantico-Potomac Chapter 2012 USMC Information Technology Day at The Clubs at Quantico.  We had a full day of valuable presentations and multiple networking opportunities.  We had three general officers speak and a panel of key communications chiefs from throughout the Marine Corps operating forces.    The USMC IT Day 2012 page will be updated shortly with presentations from the event. Photos from the event are also posted on that page.

We were also privileged to have several science fair winning students from Stafford County visit just before lunch to be recognized for their achievements.  The Chapter donated $10,000 this year to Stafford middle schools in support of their science and technology programs.  The students displayed their project presentations and answered questions from IT Day attendees about their projects.

We also want to thank all our sponsors!  This  event would not have been possible without your support.

Click on this link to go to the USMC IT Day 2012 page.

Rob Wittman was first elected to serve the 1st Congressional District of Virginia – America’s First District – in December of 2007.  He was re-elected for his second full-term in the House of Representatives in November 2010. For more than 20 years, Rob has served in several levels of government, from Montross Town Council to United States Congress. Rob won his first campaign for public office in 1986 when he was elected to the Montross Town Council, where he served for 10 years, four of them as Mayor. In 1995, Rob was elected to the Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors and was elected its Chairman in 2003. In 2005, voters in the 99th Legislative District elected Rob to the Virginia House of Delegates, where he served until he was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2007.

In the U.S. Congress, Rob serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the Committee on Natural Resources, where he is well-positioned to represent the needs of Virginia’s First District. He has quickly earned a reputation for being an advocate for our men and women in uniform and for being a champion of the Chesapeake Bay.

On the Armed Services Committee, Rob serves as the Chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, and on the Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittee. In addition, as Co-Chair of the Congressional Shipbuilding Caucus, he is a staunch advocate for a robust Naval fleet and a healthy domestic shipbuilding industry.

Rob is also an invaluable Member of the Committee on Natural Resources, to which he brings his professional expertise in water quality, fisheries, and other natural resource issues. He is a champion of the Chesapeake Bay — for its environmental and economic attributes — and has introduced legislation that will increase the accountability and effectiveness of cleaning up the Bay.

In 2010, Rob was appointed to serve as the Chairman of the U.S. Naval Academy’s Board of Visitors. Prior to his election to Congress, Rob spent 26 years working in state government, most recently as Field Director for the Virginia Health Department’s Division of Shellfish Sanitation. Earlier, he worked for many years as an environmental health specialist for local health departments in Virginia’s Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula regions.

He holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University, a Master of Public Health degree in Health Policy and Administration from the University of North Carolina, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Virginia Tech.

Rob’s wife, Kathryn, a teacher at Cople Elementary School in Hague, is a Westmoreland County native whom he met when he spent high school and college summer recesses working in a Leedstown tomato cannery and on a Reedville fishing boat in the Northern Neck. They live in Montross and have two children: a daughter Devon, son-in-law Daniel Gooch, a son Josh, and a daughter-in-law Tiffany. Rob and Kathryn became grandparents for the first time when Devon gave birth to Morgan Elizabeth Gooch in 2007. In 2010, they welcomed their grandson, Mark Daniel Gooch. Rob is an avid hunter and fisherman, and when possible, he enjoys spending time with his four yellow Labrador Retrievers.

The Quantico-Potomac Chapter held a luncheon on Thursday, 23 February 2012 at The Clubs at Quantico. BGen John Bullard, USMC, was our guest speaker. BGen Bullard currently serves as the Deputy Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Quantico, VA. 

A copy of the brief can be downloaded here.

Brigadier General Bullard is a 1982 graduate of Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Financial Management. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant from Officers Candidate School. Upon completion of Basic School, he reported to NAS Pensacola for flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in January 1985. Follow on CH-46 training was conducted at HMT-204 at MCAS New River, North Carolina

Brigadier General Bullard has served in the following operational squadrons: HMM-263, HMM-161 and HMM-774, and was the Commanding Officer of HMM-161 from May 2000 to December 2001. Deployments include 26th and 24th Marine Amphibious Units (Special Operations Capable) aboard the USS Guadalcanal where he participated in operations against Libya in 1986 and operation EARNST WILL involving the re-flagging of Kuwaiti tankers in 1987. From 1989 to 1993, he was assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1 where he served as CH-46 division head and attached to HMM-161 for DESERT SHIELD and HMM-774 for DESERT STORM. In 1994, he deployed on USS Essex with 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC) where he supported UN sanctions enforcement against Iraq and conducted operation UNITED SHIELD, UN withdrawal from Somalia. As Commanding Officer of HMM-161, he deployed on USS Tarawa as the Aviation Combat Element for 13th MEU (SOC) and participated in Humanitarian Assistance Operations in East Timor and DETERMINED RESPONSE, USS Cole recovery in Yemen. Upon completion of command, he was assigned as Executive Officer of Marine Aircraft Group 16.

His most recent operational assignment was the Commanding Officer of 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit from May 2005 to June 2008. He conducted two deployments on USS Peleliu and USS Tarawa to the US Central Command AO in support of operations IRAQI FREEDOM & ENDURING FREEDOM and participated in hurricane relief efforts for JTF Katrina and Cyclone Sidr relief efforts in Bangladesh during SEA ANGEL II.

His major staff tours include Headquarters Marine Corps in the Aviation Department’s Plans, Policies, Joint Doctrine, and Budget Branch where he served as congressional matters and budget Officer. Additionally, he served as Aide-de-Camp to Deputy Commandant for Marine Aviation. He was assigned to J5-Plans at US Central Command and deployed to the forward headquarters in support of operations IRAQI FREEDOM & ENDURING FREEDOM. His most recent staff assignment was Branch Head of Marine Aviation Weapons Systems Requirements Branch for Headquarters Marine Corps Aviation Department.

His first general officer assignment was Commander of NATO Headquarters Sarajevo under UNSCR 1895. His current assignment is Deputy Commanding General, MCCDC.

BGen Vincent Stewart, USMC, Director of Intelligence, HQMC

The Quantico-Potomac Chapter held a luncheon on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at The Clubs at Quantico. Our guest speaker was Brigadier General Vincent R. Stewart, USMC. BGen Stewart currently serves as the Director of Intelligance, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.

BGen Stewart’s presentation is not available for download.

Brigadier General Stewart received his baccalaureate degree from Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL, where he majored in History (1981). He also earned Masters Degrees in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, Newport, RI (1994) and in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University, Washington, DC (2002).

His military education includes: The Basic School, Quantico, VA, (1981-82); The Armor Officer Basic Course, Fort Knox, KY, (1982); The Basic Communications Officer Course, Quantico, VA, (1985), The Cryptologic Division Officer’s Course, Washington, DC, (1986), The Amphibious Warfare School, Quantico, VA, (1988-1989) the Naval Command and Staff, Naval War College, Newport, RI, (1994-1995), the School of Advanced Warfighting, Quantico, VA, (1995-1996) and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Ft McNair Washington, DC, (2001-2002).

Brigadier General Stewart’s principal command tours include: Tank Platoon Leader with Company A, 1st Tank (1982-1983) and Executive Officer, Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Tank Battalion (1984-1985) Camp Pendleton, CA; Company Commander with Company I, Marine Support Battalion, Adak, Alaska (1986-1988); Company Commander with Headquarters and Service Company, 2d Radio Battalion (1989-1990); Company Commander with Company E, Marine Support Battalion, Misawa Japan (1992-1994), Commanding Officer, 1st Intelligence Battalion, Camp Pendleton, CA. (1999-2001) and Commanding Officer, Headquarters Battalion, 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, NC, (2006-2008).

His principal staff assignments include: Project Officer, Light Armored Vehicle, Anti-Tank, Twenty-Nine Palms, CA. (1983-1984); Assistant Signals Intelligence Officer, 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, (1990-1991); Assistant Operations Officer, 2d Radio Battalion, Camp Lejeune, NC, (1991-1992); Intelligence Officer, and Chief, Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force, Experimental, Quantico, VA, (1996-1999); Deputy Director, Intelligence Policy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, C3I (2001-2002); Deputy G-2, Marine Forces Central Command (2002); Senior Intelligence Planner, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence (2002-2005), Assistant Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Marine Corps Forces Command, Norfolk, VA, (2005-2006) and Assistant Chief of Staff, Intelligence, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC, (2008-2009).

Brigadier General Stewart’s military decorations include: the Defense Superior Service Medal; the Legion of Merit with one gold star; the Bronze Star; the Meritorious Service Medal with one gold star; the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, with two gold stars; the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal; the Combat Action Ribbon; and various unit awards.

The theme was Wounded Marine Appreciation and celebrated the accomplishments and sacrifices of our wounded Marines.

AFCEA Quantico-Potomac Chapter also welcomed LtCol Tim Maxwell, USMC (Ret), a wounded warrior who initiated the concept of the Wounded Warrior Barracks and after whom the original barracks at Camp Lejeune, Maxwell Hall, was named.

ABOUT THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

While participating in a routine training mission for an upcoming deployment in the Persian Gulf in 1999, Capt. Eric Kapitulik and his platoon were involved in a helicopter crash at sea resulting in the death of seven Marines, six of whom were directly under his command. Since that time, Mr. Kapitulik established the Force Reconnaissance Scholarship Fund for the children of those Marines. In addition, Eric is an avid high altitude mountaineer and has summited five of the Seven Summits, including Mt. Everest.

Sponsors for this event were:

Some photographs from the event:

President Gaudreau addresses the attendees

Eric Kapitulik motivates the audience with his inspirational message

Eric and special guest, wounded warrior LtCol Tim Maxwell, USMC (Ret), enjoyed an unexpected reunion

John O'Leary, our Young AFCEAN coordinator, joins LtCol Maxwell and Eric Kapitulik following the presentation

BGen Herman Clardy, USMC, Director, Operations Division, PP&O, HQMC

The Quantico-Potomac Chapter held a luncheon on Wednesday, Oct 5th at The Clubs at Quantico. Our guest speaker was Brigadier General Herman S. Clardy III, USMC. BGen Clardy currently serves as the Director,  Operations Division; Plans, Programs, and Operations (PP&O) Department; Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.

BGen Clardy is a highly decorated combat veteran who served with distinction in Operations JOINT GUARDIAN (Kosovo), ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. He has commanded Marine Corps units from the platoon to the regimental level, including command of Regimental Combat Team 2 in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He has also served in a variety of distinguished billets including service as the Operations officer for 24th MEU (Special Operations Capable); Director, Expeditionary Warfare School; and, Commanding General, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center.

BGen Clardy provided a timely look into the issues and challenges that impact the posture of the Marine Corps.  To view BGen Clardy’s complete biography click on this link: BGen Clardy Biography

Col David Lapan USMC, DASD Media Operations

A Quantico-Potomac AFCEA luncheon was held on August 17, 2011 at 1100 at the Clubs at Quantico where we looked at Media Operations two angles.  The first angle is from the role DOD Public Affairs in addressing topics that range from Warfighting to issues within the DOD that are topical to the public and media in general.  The second angle is how information technology is utilized to support media reporting, whether it be from the Pentagon or from the battlefield.

Our speaker was Colonel David A. Lapan, a professional Public Affairs Officer who is currently serving as the acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Media Operations, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Department for Public Affairs at the Pentagon.

Col Lapan did not use slides, so no presentation is available.

Colonel David A. Lapan, USMC

Colonel Dave Lapan currently serves as acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Media Operations, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Department for Public Affairs, The Pentagon, Washington, DC.

Col. Lapan enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1980 and served as an air traffic controller and UC-12B crew chief before being selected for the Enlisted Commissioning Program.  He was commissioned a second lieutenant of Marines in April 1983.

Col. Lapan transferred to the Marine Corps Reserve in 1987.  He was assigned to Marine Corps Air Station El Toro (CA), working in airfield operations, and was recalled to active duty during Operation Desert Storm.

In 1993, he resumed his undergraduate studies and graduated with honors from the Pennsylvania State University with a B.A. in Journalism and Humanities.  He also spent two years as assistant press secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, the largest agency in Pennsylvania state government.

In 1996, as a Reserve officer, Col. Lapan was assigned to the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee, serving as public affairs liaison to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies for the 1997 Presidential Inauguration.

Returning to full-time active duty, he was assigned to Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, where he served as head of the Media and Plans branches, from 1997 – 2000.

From 2000 – 2003, Col. Lapan served as press officer in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, The Pentagon, where, among other duties, he was Public Affairs liaison to U.S. Central Command during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

From 2003 – 2006, he was assigned as Public Affairs Officer, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC.  In 2004, he served as PAO for Combined Joint Task Force – Haiti during Operation Secure Tomorrow and in 2005-06, served as PAO for Multi-National Force – West during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

From 2006-2009, Col. Lapan served as deputy director and director of Public Affairs, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.

His formal military education includes Air Traffic Control “A” School and Defense Information School.  He is a graduate of the Air War College and distinguished graduate of the Naval War College.

His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal (3), Joint Service Achievement Medal and the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

A copy of the brief can be downloaded here.

Colonel Laura Little is a native of Endwell, New York. She graduated from the State University of New York at Potsdam in 1986 with a B.A. in Computer Science and was commissioned through Officer Candidates School in December 1986.

Current Command Assignment:

Marine Corps Network Operations and Security Center, Quantico, VA

Previous Command Assignments:

Support Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, MCRD Parris Island, SC
Recruiting Station Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL
Support Company, 9th Communications Battalion, Camp Pendleton, CA
Data Communications Platoon, 9th Communications Battalion, Camp Pendleton, CA
1st Platoon, Charlie Company, Officer Candidates School, Quantico, VA
Data Communications Section, 1st FSSG ISMO, Camp Pendleton, CA
Programming Section, 1st FSSG ISMO, Camp Pendleton, CA

Staff Assignments:

Chief, Strategic Communications Division; Network Plans & Policy Division; & Communications Resource Division, C4 Department, HQMC, Washington, D.C
Special Projects Officer, G3, MCRD Parris Island, SC
Operations Officer, CJ-6, Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom
Action Officer, Director’s Action Group, J6, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.
MAGTF Command & Control Systems Trainer, Tactical Training Exercise Control Group, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, 29 Palms, CA
Data Systems Officer, Communications Detachment, Combined Task Force, Operation United Shield, Mombasa, Kenya
System Manager/Simulation Analyst, Marine Corps Wargaming & Combat Simulation Center, Quantico, VA
Assistant Operations Officer, AT–MAGTF, Operation Ahaus Tara, Honduras
Adjutant, 1st FSSG, Camp Pendleton, CA

Awards:

Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service, Meritorious Service x2, Joint Service Commendation, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation x3, Joint Service Achievement, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement

Colonel Little has attended Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Joint Air Command and Control Course, Amphibious Warfare School, Data Systems Officer Course, and The Basic School.

Photos from the event:

The AFCEA Quantico-Potomac Scholarship Golf Tournament was held at Montclair Country Club on May 20, 2011. Thanks for the great support from all of our sponsors!  Please plan to participate in next year’s tournanment.