Thursday 16 January 2014 was an eventful day at the NATO Defense College (NDC). After a fascinating morning session on the important regional topic of the Middle East, with a specific focus on Iran, Senior Course 123 (SC 123) had the honour of attending a Lecture of Opportunity by Gen (ret.) John R. ALLEN (USA), US Marine Corps and former ISAF Commander.
The session on the Middle East earlier in the day comprised talks by Prof George JOFFÉ (GBR C) and Dr Clément THERME (FRA C). On this occasion, Prof Jofféwas named an Honorary Ancien of the NDC, adding an important name to the Wall of Honorary Anciens in the Maynard-Thorn Hall. A Senior Fellow at the Cambridge University Centre of International Studies, Prof Joffé also has affiliations to the London School of Economics and Political Science, King’s College London, and London Metropolitan University.
Gen Allen spoke at a specially convened afternoon session. He was introduced by NDC Commandant LtGen Arne Bård DALHAUG (NOR A), who expressed the College’s sense of honour in welcoming so distinguished a guest: “his wealth of experience is truly enviable and serves as a lesson to all of us.” Gen Allen then took the floor, with initial words of appreciation for the College’s unique contribution to education for the Alliance and its Partners. He provided unique and extensive knowledge, drawing on his personal experience in Afghanistan and contextualizing his comments within the setting “of the campaign … and of the challenges we’re facing right now, as the clock keeps ticking down on the Afghanistan mission.” He organized his talk under a number of main headings: challenges, targets, actors involved (with a particular focus on Afghanistan, Pakistan and NATO), and the peace process. This inspiring lecture was followed by a thorough Q&A session, moderated by Capt Gerhard POLET (NLD N), Chief of the NDC Academic Programmes Branch.
The NDC was Gen Allen’s first stop on his visit to Rome; tomorrow he moves on to the Centro Alti Studi per la Difesa (CASD), where he will give a lecture to the 16th Joint Services Staff Course.
Gen Allen continues to be active in the US policy arena, and his experience is sought after at the highest levels of government. Currently he serves as Senior Advisor to the US Secretary of Defense. He is also a Distinguished Fellow in the Foreign Policy Program at the Brookings Institute. Prior to retiring from the Marine Corps, he commanded the NATO International Security Assistance Force and United States Forces in Afghanistan, from July 2011 to February 2013.
Allen’s command of the 150,000 U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan occurred at a particularly critical period in the war. During his command, he recovered the 33,000 U.S. surge forces, moved the Afghan National Security Forces into the lead for combat operations, and pivoted NATO forces from being a conventional combat force into an advisory command. Further, he established the division-sized Special Operations Joint Task Force. In the process, his forces closed or realigned over 500 bases and facilities. All of these activities were conducted in contact with the enemy, and during active and particularly intense combat operations.
During his nearly 38-year military career, Allen served in a variety of command and staff positions in the Marine Corps and the Joint Force. Prior to assuming command of the NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan, Allen commanded at every level in the Marine Corps through Marine Expeditionary Brigade. He served as the G-3 Operations officer of the 2d Marine Division. He was the Aide de Camp and Military Secretary to the 31st Commandant of the Marine Corps.
As a general officer, Allen served as the Principal Director of Asian/Pacific Affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, a position he held for nearly three years. In this assignment, he was extensively engaged in policy initiatives involving Mongolia, China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. He was also involved in the Six Party Talks on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. He played a major role in organizing the relief effort during the South Asian tsunami in 2004-2005.
Allen’s contingency and combat operations assignments included: Operation Sea Signal in the Caribbean, in 1994; Operation Joint Endeavor in the Balkans, in 1995-1996; Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq, from 2007 to 2008; and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, from 2011 to 2013.
Beyond his operational credentials, Allen has also led a number of professional military educational programs, including service in the following capacities: Director of the Marine Infantry Officer Program; Commanding Officer of the Marine Corps Basic School; and Commandant of Midshipmen, United States Naval Academy. He has served as the Marine Corps Fellow for the Center for Strategic and International Studies, as Commandant of the Marine Corps Fellows Program, and was the first Marine officer to serve as a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He remains a permanent and active member of the Council. Allen holds a B.Sc. in operations analysis from the U.S. Naval Academy, an M.A. in national security studies from Georgetown University, an M.Sc. in strategic intelligence from the Defense Intelligence College, and an M.Sc. in national security strategy from the National Defense University. He also holds an honorary Doctor of Strategic Intelligence degree, awarded by the National Intelligence University.
In addition to numerous personal decorations, he is the distinguished holder of many foreign awards.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Giulia A. Bruni Roccia, ITA C)
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN 