Maxie McFarland
Encyclopedia
Maxie McFarland was one of thirteen tier-3 US Government Defense Senior Executives, serving as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence (G-2) for the U.S. Army’s Training and Doctrine Command
located at Fort Monroe
, VA. Since 2011, he has worked as the Executive Vice President for Strategic Planning for the Sierra Nevada Corporation
.
, Foreign Military and Cultural Studies, and the Joint Training Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Operations Integration Center. Collectively, these programs provide support to deployed forces, coalition partners, the Army’s Combat Training Centers, Army educational institutions and schools, as well as various capability development and integration centers.
From December 2005 to May 2007, McFarland was assigned by the Army Chief of Staff to support the establishment and expansion of the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization
(JIEDDO). He served as a special advisor to the Director and as the Deputy Director for Concepts, Strategy and Intelligence. In this capacity, McFarland was responsible for initiating JIEDDO’s Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Operational Integration Center (COIC), establishing the law enforcement support program, and overseeing the development of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance capabilities to counter Improvised Explosive Device threats as well as numerous other initiatives.
in 1973, a Master of Education Degree in Psychology and Counseling from Southern Arkansas University
in 1985, and a Master of Arts Degree in Strategy and Policy from the Naval War College
in 1995. In addition he has completed the following military training programs: Signal Officers Basic Course, Infantry Officers Advance Course, Counter-Intelligence Officers Course, Command and General Staff college, Electronic Warfare/Signals Intelligence Course.
. In 1975 he branch transferred to the infantry and served as an Infantry Officer until his branch transfer to Military Intelligence in 1988. Throughout his active duty career, he served in a wide variety of operational and intelligence-related command and staff billets, both stateside and overseas. He has twice served as a battalion commander and completed four tours as a G2 at the Division through Army level. He retired from active duty as a Colonel after serving for more than 25 years and shortly thereafter was selected for the Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service in July 2002.
for Meritorious Executive, the Distinguished Service Medal
, two Legion of Merit
awards, three Meritorious Service Medal
awards, the Army Commendation Medal
, the Army Achievement Medal
, Army of Occupation Medal
, National Defense Service Medal
, Southwest Asia Service Medal
, Kuwait Liberation Medal
, NATO Medal
, Army Service Ribbon
, four Overseas Service Ribbon
s and the Military Parachutist Badge.
United States Army Training and Doctrine Command
Established 1 July 1973, the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command is an army command of the United States Army headquartered at Fort Eustis, Virginia. It is charged with overseeing training of Army forces, the development of operational doctrine, and the development and procurement of...
located at Fort Monroe
Fort Monroe
Fort Monroe was a military installation in Hampton, Virginia—at Old Point Comfort, the southern tip of the Virginia Peninsula...
, VA. Since 2011, he has worked as the Executive Vice President for Strategic Planning for the Sierra Nevada Corporation
Sierra Nevada Corporation
Sierra Nevada Corporation is an electronic systems provider and systems integrator specializing in microsatellites, energy, telemedicine, nanotechnology, and commercial orbital transportation services. The company contracts with the US military, NASA and private spaceflight companies. The company...
.
Civilian career
As the TRADOC G-2, McFarland served as the Army’s lead for analyzing the characteristics of future military operations and describing the conditions and threats they might contain. This effort supports the development of concepts, education of leaders, design of new capabilities, training or military units and enables experimentation. In coordination with Joint Forces Command, other governmental agencies and services, and the private and academic sectors, TRADOC G-2 develops the operational environment (OE), which is the Army’s authoritative perspective of the future. As a function of his work on the Operational Environment, McFarland often took unconventional avenues in order to replicate the complexity and uncertainty of the operational environment that his staff defines. He sponsored a variety of initiatives for the Army and Joint forces, including: the Army Opposing Force Program, the Army Starfish Program, Red Teaming capability, the Army Culture and Foreign Language Strategy, Human Terrain SystemHuman Terrain System
The Human Terrain System is a United States Army program utilizing experts from social science disciplines such as anthropology, sociology, political science, regional studies and lingustics to provide military commanders and staff with an understanding of the local population...
, Foreign Military and Cultural Studies, and the Joint Training Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Operations Integration Center. Collectively, these programs provide support to deployed forces, coalition partners, the Army’s Combat Training Centers, Army educational institutions and schools, as well as various capability development and integration centers.
From December 2005 to May 2007, McFarland was assigned by the Army Chief of Staff to support the establishment and expansion of the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization
Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization
The Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization is a joint entity and jointly manned activity of the U.S. Department of Defense established to reduce or eliminate the effects of all forms of improvised explosive devices used against U.S...
(JIEDDO). He served as a special advisor to the Director and as the Deputy Director for Concepts, Strategy and Intelligence. In this capacity, McFarland was responsible for initiating JIEDDO’s Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Operational Integration Center (COIC), establishing the law enforcement support program, and overseeing the development of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance capabilities to counter Improvised Explosive Device threats as well as numerous other initiatives.
Education
McFarland earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from the University of Tennessee (Chattanooga)University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is a public university located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The University, often referred to as UTC or simply "Chattanooga" , is one of three universities and two other affiliated institutions in the University of Tennessee System; the others being in...
in 1973, a Master of Education Degree in Psychology and Counseling from Southern Arkansas University
Southern Arkansas University
Southern Arkansas University is a public four-year institution located in Magnolia, the seat of Columbia County in Arkansas, United States, not far from the Louisiana state line.-Location:Southern Arkansas University is located in Magnolia, which, as of the census...
in 1985, and a Master of Arts Degree in Strategy and Policy from the Naval War College
Naval War College
The Naval War College is an education and research institution of the United States Navy that specializes in developing ideas for naval warfare and passing them along to officers of the Navy. The college is located on the grounds of Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island...
in 1995. In addition he has completed the following military training programs: Signal Officers Basic Course, Infantry Officers Advance Course, Counter-Intelligence Officers Course, Command and General Staff college, Electronic Warfare/Signals Intelligence Course.
Military career
Following his college graduation, McFarland joined the Army in 1973 and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the Signal CorpsUnited States Army Signal Corps
The United States Army Signal Corps develops, tests, provides, and manages communications and information systems support for the command and control of combined arms forces. It was established in 1860, the brainchild of United States Army Major Albert J. Myer, and has had an important role from...
. In 1975 he branch transferred to the infantry and served as an Infantry Officer until his branch transfer to Military Intelligence in 1988. Throughout his active duty career, he served in a wide variety of operational and intelligence-related command and staff billets, both stateside and overseas. He has twice served as a battalion commander and completed four tours as a G2 at the Division through Army level. He retired from active duty as a Colonel after serving for more than 25 years and shortly thereafter was selected for the Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service in July 2002.
Publications
McFarland has authored several works, including:- Opposing Force Doctrinal Framework and Strategy, Headquarters Department of the Army, May 2003
- Military Cultural Education, Military Review, March–April 2005
- Environmental and Human Security and the Role of U.S. Military Forces in Africa in the Future, African Environmental and Human Security in the 21st Century (Cambria Press, 2010)
- A Center for Learning Innovation, Military Training Technology, Volume: 15 Issue: 4 (July 2010)
Awards and Honors
His personal and unit awards and decorations include the Presidential Rank AwardPresidential Rank Awards
The Presidential Rank Awards program is an individual award program granted by the United States Government to career Senior Executive Service members and Senior Career Employees within the OPM-allocated Senior-Level or Scientific-Professional community...
for Meritorious Executive, the Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal (United States)
The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
, two Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
awards, three Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
awards, the Army Commendation Medal
Commendation Medal
The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy force, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star, the Valor device may...
, the Army Achievement Medal
Achievement Medal
The Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States military. The Achievement Medal was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service...
, Army of Occupation Medal
Army of Occupation Medal
The Army of Occupation Medal is a military award of the United States military which was established by the United States War Department on 5 April 1946. The medal was created in the aftermath of the Second World War to recognize those who had performed occupation service in either Germany or Japan...
, National Defense Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
, Southwest Asia Service Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal
The Southwest Asia Service Medal is a military award of the United States armed forces which was created by order of President George H.W. Bush on March 12, 1991. The award is intended to recognize those military service members who performed duty during the years of the Persian Gulf War...
, Kuwait Liberation Medal
Kuwait Liberation Medal
The Kuwait Liberation Medal is a military service medal of several countries. The medal is issued in different versions for each country, those being:*Kuwait Liberation Medal *Kuwait Liberation Medal *Kuwait Liberation Medal...
, NATO Medal
NATO Medal
The NATO Medal is an international military decoration which is awarded to various militaries of the world under the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization . It is manufactured by Eekelers - Centini, International, of Hemiksem, Belgium...
, Army Service Ribbon
Army Service Ribbon
The Army Service Ribbon is a military decoration of the United States Army that was established by the Secretary of the Army on 10 April 1981 as announced in Department of the Army General Order 15, dated 10 October 1990....
, four Overseas Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon
An Overseas Service Ribbon is a service military award of the United States military which recognizes those service members who have performed military tours of duty outside the borders of the United States of America. There are different versions of the Overseas Service Ribbons for the U.S. Army,...
s and the Military Parachutist Badge.
External links
- Army Training and Doctrine Command, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-2 (Intelligence)
- Asymmetric Threat Invokes Strategic Leader Initiative: The Joint Improvised Explosive Defeat Organization”, William G. Adamson, COL, USA
- http://www.turret.com/search/node/maxie%20mcfarland
- http://www.ncsi.com/iws09/agenda4.shtml