Strategic Enablers

摘要

RADM Douglas J. Venlet, director of international engagement for the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, is the Navy's first flag officer in the Foreign Area Officer (FAO) community. A former enlisted Marine and Russian linguist, Venlet became a surface warfare officer and served in three cruisers and three frigates, eventually commanding one of each. With degrees in political science and national security and strategic studies, Venlet has served in several staff assignments where his understanding of foreign affairs has been applied, including duty as the Asia/Pacific regional manager at the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization; an executive assistant to the director of the Navy staff; deputy executive secretary of the National Security Council in the Executive Office of the President; a fellow with the Chief of Naval Operations' Strategic Studies Group; and the branch head for Strategic Concepts, Strategy and Policy Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. While serving as senior defense official and defense attache to Russia, Venlet was tapped to become the first flag FAO and shepherd the community as it moves toward full operational capability.