Inter-American Defense College
Encyclopedia
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, operating under the Organization of American States
Organization of American States
The Organization of American States is a regional international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States...
(OAS) and the Inter-American Defense Board
Inter-American Defense Board
The Inter-American Defense Board is an international committee of nationally appointed defense officials who develop collaborative approaches on common defense and security issues facing countries in North, Central, and South America...
(IADB).
The IADC course provides a professionally oriented, multidisciplinary, graduate-level course of study. The eleven-month program provides senior military and government officials with a comprehensive understanding of governmental systems, the current international environment, structure and function of the Inter-American system, and an opportunity to study broad based security issues affecting the Hemisphere and the world. The development of these concentrations is accomplished through the detailed study of political, economic, psychosocial, and military factors of power. The College takes advantage of the educational and research facilities in the Washington D.C. area as well as external academic visits to the Americas. Faculty and students also engage in research and publishing.
The IADC, located on Fort Lesley J. McNair
Fort Lesley J. McNair
Fort Lesley J. McNair is a United States Army post located on the tip of a peninsula that lies at the confluence of the Potomac River and the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. To its west is the Washington Channel, while the Anacostia River is on its south side...
, was formally opened on 9 October 1962 when the Honorable Dean Rusk
Dean Rusk
David Dean Rusk was the United States Secretary of State from 1961 to 1969 under presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. Rusk is the second-longest serving U.S...
, then Secretary of State of the United States, presented the building and furnishings donated by the United States Government. Doctor Jose A. Mora, then Secretary General
Secretary General of the Organization of American States
According to the Charter of the Organization of American States:-Secretaries General of the OAS:-Assistant Secretaries General of the OAS:*William Manger *William Sanders...
of the Organization of American States
Organization of American States
The Organization of American States is a regional international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States...
, was the principal speaker at the opening ceremony. The first class, with 29 students representing 15 American republics, received their diplomas on 20 March 1963 with then Vice President of the United States
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
, Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
, giving the graduation address and awarding diplomas.
Since its opening more than 2,000 students have graduated from the IADC, of which many have gone on to become presidents, cabinet ministers, ambassadors, or general officers for their respective nations. In January 2006, Class 37 graduate Michelle Bachelet
Michelle Bachelet
Verónica Michelle Bachelet Jeria is a Social Democrat politician who was President of Chile from 11 March 2006 to 11 March 2010. She was the first woman president of her country...
was elected president of Chile
President of Chile
The President of the Republic of Chile is both the head of state and the head of government of the Republic of Chile. The President is responsible of the government and state administration...
, becoming the second IADC graduate to be elected to presidential office, after Lucio Gutiérrez
Lucio Gutiérrez
Lucio Edwin Gutiérrez Borbúa served as President of Ecuador from January 15, 2003 to April 20, 2005.- Political rise :Gutiérrez was prominent in a popular uprising that replaced President Jamil Mahuad for three hours in January 2000...
of Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
.
IADC students follow a demanding curriculum that includes seminars, daily briefings, travel abroad, and preparing a final monograph that charges each student to take a position on hot topics within the Western Hemisphere
Western Hemisphere
The Western Hemisphere or western hemisphere is mainly used as a geographical term for the half of the Earth that lies west of the Prime Meridian and east of the Antimeridian , the other half being called the Eastern Hemisphere.In this sense, the western hemisphere consists of the western portions...
.
Distinguished Alumni
- Michelle BacheletMichelle BacheletVerónica Michelle Bachelet Jeria is a Social Democrat politician who was President of Chile from 11 March 2006 to 11 March 2010. She was the first woman president of her country...
, former PresidentPresident of ChileThe President of the Republic of Chile is both the head of state and the head of government of the Republic of Chile. The President is responsible of the government and state administration...
and former Minister of National Defense and Minister of Health of Chile - Lucio GutiérrezLucio GutiérrezLucio Edwin Gutiérrez Borbúa served as President of Ecuador from January 15, 2003 to April 20, 2005.- Political rise :Gutiérrez was prominent in a popular uprising that replaced President Jamil Mahuad for three hours in January 2000...
, former President of Ecuador - Paco MoncayoPaco MoncayoPaco Rosendo Moncayo Gallegos is a former Mayor of Quito, Ecuador and a retired General of the Army.During his military career, he was involved in the Alto Cenepa War between Ecuador and Perú. In 2000 Paco Moncayo was elected Mayor of Metropolitan Quito on behalf of the Party of the Democratic...
, former Mayor of QuitoMayor of QuitoThe Mayor of Quito is the head of the executive branch of the Metropolitan District of Quito, and is the highest ranking official on the Council of the Metropolitan Municipal District of Quito, which is the chief legislative body of the city and canton...
Ecuador, Current Congresman and the leader of the Ecuadorian Army during Alto Cenepa War - Daniel Delgado Diamante, former Minister of Government and Justice of Panama
- Ambassador Federico Alberto Gonzalez Franco, Permanent Representative to the United Nation at Geneva, former Vice Minister to External Relations, former Ambassador to Venezuela, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia & Mongolia
- Ambassador María de Lourdes Aranda Bezaury, Ambassador and former Under-Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico
- Almirante Mariano Francisco Saynez Mendoza, Mexican NavyMexican NavyThe Mexican Navy is the naval branch of the Mexican military responsible for conducting naval operations. Its stated mission is "to use the naval force of the federation for the exterior defense, and to help with internal order". The Navy consists of about 56,000 men and women plus reserves, over...
, Secretary of the Navy (Mexico)Secretary of the Navy (Mexico)In Mexico, the Secretary of the Navy is a member of the federal executive cabinet with responsibility for managing the country's navy and marine forces. The secretary is appointed by the President of the Republic and heads the Secretariat of the Navy... - General Otto Pérez Molina, Guatemalan Army (Ret), President Elect of Guatemala
- General Jorge Daniel Castro Castro, Director, Colombian National PoliceColombian National PoliceThe National Police of Colombia is the national police force of Colombia. Although the National Police is not part of the Military of Colombia , it constitutes along with them the "Public Force" and is also controlled by the Ministry of Defense. They are the largest police force in Colombia...
- General de División Otto A. Romero, Minister of Defense of El Salvador
- General de División Ronaldo Cecilio LeivaRonaldo Cecilio LeivaMaj. Gen. Ronaldo Cecilio Leiva Rodríguez is a Guatemalan military officer, who served as the Minister of Defence from 29 December 2006 to 14 January 2008.-References:...
, Minister of Defense of Guatemala - Major General William A. Navas, Jr.William A. Navas, Jr.Major General William A. Navas, Jr. is the first Puerto Rican to be named an Assistant Secretary of the Navy. Navas, who served in the Department of Veterans Affairs resigned in 2007.-Early years:...
, US Army (Ret), former Assistant Secretary of the NavyAssistant Secretary of the NavyAssistant Secretary of the Navy is the title given to certain civilian senior officials in the United States Department of the Navy....
and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs - Brigadier General Albert Zapanta, US Army (Ret), former Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Management and Administration
- Major General Alfred ValenzuelaAlfred ValenzuelaAlfred A. Valenzuela is a retired United States Army major general who commanded United States Army South at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico. He comes from a Mexican-American family from San Antonio, Texas...
, US Army (Ret), Author of "No Greater Love: The Life and Times of Hispanic Soldiers" - Major General Antonio J. Vicens, US Army, Adjutant General of the Puerto Rico National Guard
- Brigadier General Antonio J. RamosAntonio J. RamosBrigadier General Antonio J. Ramos was an officer of the United States Air Force. He was the first Hispanic to serve as commander, Air Force Security Assistance Center, Air Force Materiel Command, and dual-hatted as Assistant to the Commander for International Affairs, Headquarters Air Force...
, US Air Force (Ret)
External links
- IADC Official site
- Dr. Jose A. Mora
- "Remarks Regarding the Inter-American Defense Board & College", Remarks by Ambassador John F. Maisto, U.S. Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States, to the Thirty-Second Special Session of the OAS General Assembly Considering the Juridical Link of the Inter-American Defense Board & College, March 15, 2006