Army War College Panel Highlights Civil-Military Relations to Build Trust
The public policy department hosted the Army War College Civil-Military Speaker Series on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at Penn Hall Lyceum. (Rifat A. Anik/The Gettysburgian)
By Rifat A. Anik, Staff Writer
The public policy department hosted the Army War College Civil-Military Speaker Series on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at Penn Hall Lyceum. The event aimed to bridge civil-military relations through open discussion and collaboration.
The panel featured Lieutenant Colonel David Bradley, U.S. Army, a Field Artillery and Foreign Area Officer with extensive operational and foreign policy experience; Ms. Stephanie Garvey, a USAID diplomat specializing in democracy, governance, and peacebuilding; Colonel Rob Haertsch, an Australian Army officer with expertise in joint-force integration and international defense advising; and Lieutenant Colonel Erik Sarson, U.S. Army Special Forces Officer with global experience in partner-nation operations and multilingual capabilities.
Held under the Chatham House Rule, the session allowed participants to share ideas and perspectives without attribution, encouraging candid dialogue on complex issues. The event is part of an ongoing effort inspired by lessons from the Kent State University shooting in 1970, which highlighted the need to foster trust and understanding between military and civilian communities.
Panelists addressed a wide range of topics, including U.S.-Taiwan relations, modern security threats like cyberattacks, climate change’s impact on infrastructure, and human trafficking. Questions were submitted anonymously by students, ensuring a diverse array of perspectives and concerns were addressed.
A first-year student noted after the session that events like these create a sense of trust and transparency, particularly amid what is often perceived as biased media coverage of military and government policies. Department chair Anne Douds underscored the importance of engaging with students to keep perspectives fresh and relevant.
Audience members attending the Army War College event in Pennsylvania Hall. (Rifat A. Anik/The Gettysburgian)
