Barnett completes Army War College seminar

Carroll County Prosecuting Attorney Steven D. Barnett completed the U.S. Army War College’s National Security Seminar June 4 at Carlisle Barracks, the headquarters of the U.S. Army War College.

Barnett said the invitation-only seminar brings together civilian leaders from across the United States and places them alongside Army War College students to examine national security strategy, public policy and civilian control of the military.

“About 160 civilian leaders from across the United States attended the seminar, now in its 71st year,” Barnett said.

Army War College students, including lieutenant colonels, colonels and select civilian federal employees, attend a 10-month residency program leading to a master’s degree in strategic studies.

According to the Army, graduates are prepared to serve in joint, interagency, intergovernmental and multinational national security roles through advanced study of leadership, strategy, communication and research.

Barnett said the National Security Seminar serves as a capstone event by incorporating civilian perspectives into discussions with military leaders and students.

Invited participants represented a broad range of professions and backgrounds, including elected officials, college professors, clergy and community leaders from across the country.

“Each day, we heard from one or two four-star generals that were theater or combatant commanders responsible for a part of the world, who outlined the challenges being faced by the U.S. Army by adversaries of our country,” Barnett said.

“I learned that we have the best and brightest people in the United States Army trying to solve problems and strategically plan for the challenges faced by evolving changes in technology on the battlefields and how the Army must adapt to changes in warfighting. The United States has learned a lot from the war in Ukraine and the recent conflict with Iran,” he said.

The seminar also included presentations from diplomatic and military leaders discussing topics such as China's claims in the South China Sea and strategic challenges in the Pacific and polar regions.

Barnett said many of the officers participating in the program will likely become future military leaders.

“One colonel in our seminar was a 20-plus-year combat veteran, and he planned to leave the Army in two years and become a better father and husband,” Barnett said. “I was very impressed with his story and his combat experiences, but he bluntly told us he declined general officer promotion.”

Three international military officers from Israel, Uruguay and South Korea also participated in the seminar.

Barnett attended after being nominated by Lou Tobin, executive director of the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association.

“We nominated Steve because this was a great opportunity for him to learn from other leaders from across the country and our military about how to develop and implement strategies that promote the public good,” Tobin said.

“We also knew that with Steve's background in law enforcement and local government that he would make his own valuable contributions to the seminar. Steve is one of the leaders of our association, and we are really proud that he was invited to this program to represent Ohio prosecutors.”

In addition to classroom sessions, participants toured Gettysburg National Military Park, attended social events with military leaders and visited the Army Heritage and Education Center.

“This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I am so honored to have had the chance to participate and bring the perspective of an elected official and resident of rural Ohio to the table with the issues we discussed,” Barnett said. “We have outstanding, competent and professional leaders coming up through the military. Our national defense is in good hands.”