Missouri's top military leadership writes article featured in Military Review

By Master Sgt. Mary Williams
ngmo.pao@us.army.mil

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri National Guard top leadership provide an in-depth assessment of how civilian and military know-how can be brought to bear in the fight in Afghanistan in the August edition of Military Review, the professional journal of the U.S. Army.

In "Counterinsurgency and Beyond: Operationalizing the Civilian Surge," Brig. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard, Col. Wendul Glenn Hagler, and Lt. Col. North K. Charles examine how the country can utilize its resources most efficiently in Overseas Contingency Operations. The view point of Missouri's top military leaders is clear and concise.

"Lessons are often learned the hard way," said Danner. "This article reflects a great deal of what we as leaders have learned. Is this a dramatic shift in thinking? Absolutely not, but it is a critique relating to strategy and more importantly it's a shift in ideas that offer what we think is a viable alternative."

The viable alternative as it is outlined in the journal is to employ a civilian reserve force modeled after and administered by the National Guard. They cite four over arching benefits, including gaining support of the American people which they say "has become disconnected from the efforts and sacrifice associated with our current conflicts."

The three authors are seasoned officers with varying experiences and backgrounds. Danner, in addition to being the adjutant general, has over 30 years experience in uniform and is a graduate of the Army War College. Hagler commands the 70th Troop Command, the largest brigade in the Missouri National Guard and is also a graduate of the National War College. Charles commanded the 140th Regiment Regional Training Institute at Ft. Leonard Wood and is now deployed to Afghanistan with the fourth Missouri Agribusiness Development Team.

Military Review provides a forum for the open exchange of ideas about military matters of importance to the U.S. Army with a focus on the concepts, doctrine, and war fighting at the tactical and operational levels of war.

A link to the article can be found at: http://usacac.army.mil/CAC2/MilitaryReview/Archives/English/MilitaryReview_20100831_art005.pdf



For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-800-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.

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For more information about this release, please contact Master Sgt. Mary Williams at (573) 638-9846 or e-mail her at ngmo.pao@us.army.mil.