Norm Cotton

**** ****** **** *****

Lakeland, FL 33810

adye8f@r.postjobfree.com

410-***-**** (cell)

PROFILE

National Security Policy – over 15 years of experience in strategic planning, policy and program development, defense sector reform, and gap analysis in support of the Department of Defense (DOD)

WORK HISTORY

Jul 2017 – Mar 2023 Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA), Alexandria, VA

Supporting the IDA Joint Advanced Warfighting Division on research related to DOD programs, policies, strategies and forces. Providing research support to the IDA Cost Analysis and Research Division (CARD) on economic and insurance risk analysis of anti-terrorism technologies in support of the Department of Homeland Security, Office of SAFETY Act Implementation.

Sep 2014 – Apr 2017 Manager, Strategic Analysis, APPRIO Inc., Washington, DC

Supported the Army National Guard (ARNG) Strategy, Plans and Policy directorate in coordinating and implementing strategic policies and plans to shape the ARNG. Reviewed Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff plans, policies, and regulations. Conducted research on U.S. demographic changes and develops information briefings to ARNG and Air National Guard officials on changing U.S. population shifts and related social, cultural, and economic trends. Developed study proposals for using ARNG forces in air and missile defense for the homeland and the Geographic Combatant Commands. Participates in a bi-monthly National Guard Futures Forum to shape the future of the National Guard. Assisted the Director, ARNG in developing an alternative organizational structure for the ARNG Headquarters, safeguarding continuity of functions and missions while reducing excessive management layers and implementing Secretary of the Army’s directive to reduce the size of Headquarters, Department of the Army staff by 25%. Reviewed Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and Combatant Commander joint plans and capability assessments and assisted the Chief, National Guard Bureau in preparing for related meetings with the Joint Chiefs.

Oct 2013 – Sep 2014 National Security Consulting (Independent Contractor), Orlando, FL

Subject matter expert for various DOD agencies conducting education and training for Public Affairs, Civil Affairs, Irregular Warfare, and Homeland Defense / Defense Support of Civil

Authorities. Conducted research and gap analysis to inform future operating concepts for military support to stability operations. Served as a “civil-military” expert/role player for the Engility Corporation in support of the Defense Information School, Fort Meade, MD, for two joint expeditionary public affairs courses. Developed civil-military estimates and related planning for a Non-Combatant Evacuation scenario in the U.S. Africa Command area of operations. Conducted research and gap analysis on behalf of the Leonard Wood Institute to inform a U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) analysis of emerging requirements for Homeland Defense, Installation Emergency Management and Defense Support of Civil Authorities. Drafted a comprehensive report for coordination with the U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and HQ, TRADOC.

Conducted stakeholder analysis on behalf of U.S. Special Operations Command and the Naval Postgraduate School to inform future DOD operating concepts for military support to governance during stability operations.

Jul 2011 – Sep 2013 Deputy Director/Executive Officer, HQ Department of the Army, Washington, DC

Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower & Reserve Affairs), Washington, DC Principal Deputy and Executive Officer to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Training, Readiness, and Mobilization. Directed the work of 15 senior staff members (O-6/GS-15 level) supporting policy development, process improvement and oversight of Army training and readiness programs and policies on behalf of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower & Reserve Affairs).

Developed the Army’s strategic messages with Congress, volunteer service organizations, Army stakeholders and the media in support of the Army Total Force Policy. Prepared reports to Congress and the Office of the Secretary of Defense regarding policies and programs for training, readiness, and utilization of the Army’s Total Force.

Jun 2009 - Jun 2011 Military Assistant for Readiness, HQ Department of the Army, Washington, DC

Advised the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs regarding Army policies and programs for training, readiness and utilization of the Army’s Total Force. Developed and coordinated a Secretary of the Army directive “Army Total Force Policy” to fully integrate the Army’s Reserve and Active Components into a cohesive force, establishing policies for common qualification and readiness standards. Developed and coordinated an Army legislative proposal to permit the Secretary of Defense to use Army Reserve and National Guard units to support steady-state force generation requirements, to achieve the most cost effective Total Force. A similar legislative proposal was ultimately included within the National Defense Authorization Act for 2012. Developed legislative proposals on behalf of the Secretary of the Army related to Civil Affairs activities in support of DOD efforts to combat irregular threats via military civic action programs.

May 2006 – Jun 2009 Assistant for Civil Affairs Policy / Director for Special Operations Forces Policy, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington, DC

Advised the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations Capabilities within the office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict and developed recommendations for Department of Defense (DOD) policies and programs related to special operations, civil affairs, and irregular warfare capabilities. Co-Chaired the DOD Irregular Warfare Working Group in support of the Quadrennial Defense Review Irregular Warfare Road Map (May 2006-Dec 2007). Served as Director, Special Operations Forces Policy (July 2007-June 2008). These combined efforts resulted in the implementation of over 30 policy recommendations related to improving DOD irregular warfare capabilities (e.g. joint Irregular Warfare operational concepts, additional special forces capabilities, and increased language/culture programs). Developed a DOD plan for increasing the number of Army civil affairs forces to support ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan (doubling the size of the Army’s active duty CA force). Prepared the DOD report to Congress on civil affairs (April 2009) addressing House Armed Services Committee concerns regarding DOD force structure and joint proponent functions for civil affairs.

May 2005 – Mar 2006 Advisor to the U.S. Security Coordinator for Israel and Palestine, U.S. Embassy, Tel Aviv Israel

Served as an advisor to Lieutenant General Ward, the U.S. Security Coordinator (USSC) for Israel and Palestine; a US State Department envoy mission to reform the Palestinian Authority Security Forces (PASF) in support of commitments to the Middle East Peace Plan. Managed an international staff of six personnel, including field grade officers from Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. Coordinated with the Palestinian Authority (PA), Ministry of Interior (MoI) and Ministry of Finance in support of long term Security Sector Reform (SSR) initiatives. Met regularly with the MoI and district officials to monitor PASF efforts to combat terrorist organizations operating in the West Bank. Assisted the USSC envoy with weekly updates to Secretary of State Rice and represented the USSC within the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem. Assessed PASF equipment needs in support of Gaza disengagement and coordinated donations from 23 countries in support of critical needs of the PASF. Developed a non-governmental organization to facilitate the donation of funds from the Netherlands to assist the PA in procuring equipment for the Palestinian Authority National Security Forces in Gaza. Assessed PASF and Israeli Defense Force (IDF) security coordination mechanisms, resulting in an increased understanding of ongoing security coordination mechanisms between the PASF and the IDF in the West Bank. Represented the USSC within the Palestinian Authority Judicial Reform Support Group to synchronize security reform activities with judicial/rule of law reform activities led by the European Union and the US Agency for International Development. Conducted an analysis of Palestinian Authority security and judicial legislation and oversight mechanisms to report the likely effects on Palestinian National Security decision making.

Dec 2003 – May 2005 Director (J7) Civil Affairs, Special Operations Command Europe, U.S. European Command, Patch Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany Served as Civil Affairs Director (J7) and later Chief of Operations Support and Integration (J3-OS&I) for the Commander, Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR). Assisted the Commander, SOCEUR with the planning and oversight of civil affairs operations, psychological operations (PSYOP), military information support operations (MISO), humanitarian demining operations and integrated surveys throughout the U.S. European Command (and U.S. Africa Command) theaters. Supported NATO Civil Military Operations planning for the 2004 Summer Olympic games and served as the CA staff officer (J7) for a standing NATO Joint Special Operations Task Force (JSOTF) during the 2004 Olympic Games. Participated in JSOTF counter-terrorism exercises in preparation for the 2004 Olympic Games. Reoriented civil affairs and psychological operations in Europe and Africa to support US Government efforts to combat irregular threats posed by terrorist groups operating in Eastern Europe and North Africa. Developed innovative civil-military teaming methods for planning and conducting civil affairs with interagency partners in North Africa. On behalf of the Commander SOCEUR, exercised supervision of U.S. civil affairs and psychological operations activities in the Balkans, to include the transition of those activities in Bosnia to the European Union. Collaborated with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for a conflict management and mitigation assessment of the Pan Sahel (Mauritania, Mali, Niger and Chad), to inform USG efforts to combat violent extremists operating across North Africa. Increased collaborative efforts between SOCEUR and USAID to combat religious extremism in northern Nigeria. Seconded to the Department of State, U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv as an advisor to a State Department envoy to Israel/Palestine from May 2005 – Mar 2006.

Aug 2002 – Dec 2003 Assistant Executive Officer, Chief, Army Reserve, HQ Department of the Army, Washington, DC Served as the Assistant Executive Officer to the Chief, Army Reserve (3-Star General) within the Headquarters Department of the Army. Identified implied tasks and reviewed strategic level issues affected by constant change and political sway. Balanced politically sensitive, classified and detailed information daily while staying focused on the Chief, Army Reserve’s intent.

Feb 2001 – Aug 2002 Operations Officer, 354th Civil Affairs Brigade, Riverdale, MD Responsible for coordinating operations, plans, training, readiness, and budgeting requirements for a Civil Affairs Brigade with three subordinate Civil Affairs Battalions (604 personnel / $1.8M budget). Assisted the Assistant Chief of Staff-G3 in developing yearly training guidance, collective training plans, exercises and associated training during a period of significantly increased operating tempo following the events of September 11, 2001. Organized and deployed multiple Civil Affairs Planning Teams to the U.S. Central Command Area of Operations to support operations in Afghanistan. Collaborated with the U.S. Department of Commerce (Foreign Commercial Service) to identify host nation resources and sources of supply in the region to support coalition operations in Afghanistan.

Jun 2000 – Feb 2001 Deputy Comptroller, 352d Civil Affairs Command, Riverdale, MD As Deputy Comptroller for a Civil Affairs Command (1-Star command), provided professional resource management support to the headquarters staff, 2 brigades and 10 subordinate Battalions. Planned, budgeted and executed the commands pay and allowances / operations and maintenance funds ($6M annually). Assumed responsibility for the command’s faltering budget operations, and travel card programs. Identified and resolved card abuse problems that had remained undetected for more than two years. Standardized and streamlined the operations of the resource management office to provide the most responsive customer service possible to the command (2 Brigade Headquarters / 6 Battalions).

Sep 1999 – Jun 2000 Assistant Plans Officer, 354th Civil Affairs Brigade, Riverdale, MD Responsible for annual operational and training plans for the brigade headquarters and three subordinate battalions. Reviewed and developed civil affairs annexes to U.S. Central Command operational plans. Improved relations between the brigade and its supported headquarters, the 377th Theater Support Command (TSC). Developed a concept plan for increased civil affairs support to the 377th TSC and U.S. Army Central Command (Qatar). Developed and published plans to support six rotations to the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC). Managed the brigade’s training, operations and maintenance budget (~$1.7M / year).

Sep 1998 – Sep 1999 Staff Officer, Headquarters, Department of the Army, Washington, DC Assisted the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations (ODCSOPS) with the cross component integration of appropriations and programs within the Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution System (PPBES) and Total Army prioritization process. Assisted the ODCSOPS with the overall supervision of “The Army Plan” (TAP), a multiyear strategic document to inform all Army program, budget and force structure decisions for 2000-2005. Developed and coordinated a quarterly training and readiness report to the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, identifying the major readiness concerns of the Army’s Division and Corps commanders to the Secretary of the Army and Chief of Staff, Army.

Sep 1997 – Sep 1998 Resource Integration Officer, HQ Department of the Army, Washington, DC Responsible for the programming and budgeting of fiscal resources to support U.S. Army Reserve management headquarters and operations programs (~$850M annually) and the management of all Army Reserve training programs (~$719M/FY98). Developed an annual funding plan and allocated resources to Major Army Commands and prioritized the annual list of unfunded requirements for training and operations (~$119M). Briefed senior leaders and coordinated the redistribution of ~$32M to support critical unfunded requirements for statutory, physical safety and readiness related programs. Conducted an in-depth analysis of Army Reserve Special Operations Forces (SOF) requirements and successfully argued for a ~$3.1M annual increase in training and readiness funding for SOF units. Conducted an analysis of officer professional development programs and convinced the Office of the Chief, Army Reserve to increase officer professional development program funding by 50 percent (~$6M annually), eliminating a 2-year backlog of junior officers awaiting qualification training.

Jun 1996 – Sep 1997 Training Programs Analyst, HQ Department of the Army, Washington, DC

Planned, programmed and evaluated Army Reserve training resources and requirements within the Defense Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution System (PPBES). Developed and justified the U.S. Army Reserve input into the Department of the Army training program (~$700M annually).

Jan 1995 – Jun 1996 Training Staff Officer, U.S. Army Reserve Command, Fort McPherson, GA

Coordinated, planned, resourced and evaluated all U.S. Army Reserve training and exercises in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of operations. Assisted with the planning and execution of two major theater security cooperation exercises in Kenya and Egypt. Improved coordination and support to U.S. Army Central Command, resulting in a 50% increase in support for CENTCOM exercises.

Jun 1993 – Dec 1994 Budget Officer, U.S. Army Reserve Command, Fort McPherson, GA Served as budget officer for U.S. Army Reserve Command (USARC) training and operations programs. Assisted the Deputy Chief for Operations with the planning, budgeting and execution of resources to support individual and collective training for the U.S. Army Reserve Command (~202K personnel). Coordinated with U.S. Forces Command (FORSCOM), the Department of the Army and 47 separate major subordinate commands on matters related to program budgeting, analysis and execution of training resources (~$600M annually).

Jan 1991 – Jun 1993 Operations Officer, U.S. Army Reserve Command, Fort McPherson, GA Assisted in the planning, coordination and monitoring of national security emergency preparedness, counter-drug and anti-terrorism plans involving U.S. Army Reserve Command (USARC) units. Coordinated and published operations orders for 147 counter-drug operations in support of Joint Task Force Six for interagency support to federal law enforcement agencies along the U.S. Southwest Border; such as intelligence analysis support to the Drug Enforcement Agency and aviation, medical evacuation, and reconnaissance missions in support of the U.S. Border Patrol and the National Park Service. Developed and monitored the execution of the USARC counter-drug operations budget (~$11.9M/year) and dedicated procurement program for specialized equipment to support counter-drug missions.

EDUCATION:

Master of Strategic Studies, United States Army War College, Carlisle, PA

Master of Science – Administration, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI

Bachelor of Science - Physical Education, Evangel University, Springfield, MO

Criminal Justice Program– 51 credit hours, Enterprise State Community College, Enterprise, AL

SPECIALIZED TRAINING

Alabama Military Academy, Officer Candidate School U.S. Army Field Artillery Officer Basic Course U.S. Army Field Artillery Cannon Battery Officer Course U.S. Army Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course U.S. Army Combined Arms and Services Staff School U.S. Army Airborne School, Basic Parachutist Course U.S. Army Anti-Terrorism Instructor Qualification Course U.S. Army Reserve Budget Management Course U.S. Army Planning, Programming and Budget Execution System Course U.S. Army Command and General Staff Officer Course U.S. Army Civil Affairs Officer Advanced Course (honor graduate) Joint Special Operations University (JSOU), Middle East Orientation Course U.S. Army Sustaining Base Leadership and Management Course JSOU, Joint Special Operations Task Force Course NATO Civil-Military Cooperation Planners Course DoS Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization (S/CRS) Foundations Course USDA Graduate School, Introductory Arabic I & II

Norman L. Cotton COL, (USAR Retired)

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