America and Its Armed Forces

The panel discussion featured research on a defense reform, including analysis of Defense personnel, structure, modernization, and readiness.

Panelists include:

Colonel Jerrett (Jerry) Dunlap, U.S. Army, most recently served in the Pentagon as the Chief, Career Management Branch, U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, Headquarters, Department of the Army. Prior to that, he served as the Deputy Staff Judge Advocate for XVIII Airborne Corps and the Staff Judge Advocate for Headquarters, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. His experience includes assignments as an Associate Professor at The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center & School (TJAGLCS), a Litigation Attorney for the U.S. Army Legal Services Agency, and in numerous legal positions in Alaska, Germany, and while deployed to Iraq.  He joined the Army in 1998, and completed the Judge Advocate Officer Basic and Advanced Courses at TJAGLCS in Charlottesville, Virginia, as well as Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He holds a B.S. in Economics from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, a J.D. from J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University, and an L.L.M in Military Law from TJAGLCS. He is married to Tammy Dunlap and together they have three children. He is currently a student with the Carlisle Scholars Program at the United States Army War College, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Lieutenant Colonel Mark Ray arrived to the US Army War College after having served in the Army West Point Athletic Association as the Assistant Athletic Director for Military Operations.  Prior to that tour, he served in the Army Special Operations community for over fourteen years.  He has commanded at all levels from platoon to battalion, and has served in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, in addition to other areas throughout the Middle East and North and West Africa.  A native of Virginia, Ray has been assigned to various Army posts in North Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Kansas, New York and Pennsylvania.  A 1996 graduate of the United States Military Academy, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies at the US Army War College, as well as Master of Science Degree in Sport Science, with a concentration in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Lock Haven University. He is married to his wife Tracy, and has a daughter, Harper and two sons, Mark, Jr. and Jack.

Lieutenant Colonel Greg Venvertloh, United States Army Reserve and Department of Defense (DoD) civilian most recently served as the Assistant Chief of Staff (ACofS) G1 for the 310th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) at Ft. Ben Harrison, IN.  Prior to this assignment, he served as the Commander of the 7243rd Medical Support Unit at Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, NV and BDE S1 for the Army Reserve Element, Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island Arsenal, IL.  He served in Iraq during Operation New Dawn as the Director of Public Works and Engineering for Victory Base Camp, Baghdad, Iraq where he was instrumental to closing and descoping bases prior to the turnover of authority to the government of Iraq.  As a DoD civilian, he conducts medical evaluations and exercises for the National Guard’s North Eastern United States Civil Support Teams.  In this capacity, he instructs and evaluates medical and scientific professionals on their ability to respond to a Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) event as well as casualty care and treatment.  Lieutenant Colonel Venvertloh holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Chemistry from Quincy University and a Master of Public Health from the University of Illinois.  Lieutenant Colonel Venvertloh has been married to Robin for 22 years and they have three children.  Presently, Lieutenant Colonel Venvertloh is a Resident Student in the Carlisle Scholars Program at the United States Army War College, Carlisle, PA. 

Lieutenant Colonel Richard Balestri is a U.S. Army Middle East Foreign Area Officer who most recently served as the U.S. Army Attaché to the Kingdom of Bahrain.  Previously, he served at U.S. Central Command as a Middle East country desk officer and executive officer for the Director of Strategy, Plans, and Policy (J-5).  LTC Balestri also served at the U.S. Embassies in Lebanon and Egypt.  Prior to becoming a Foreign Area Officer, LTC Balestri previously served as an infantry officer in airborne and mechanized infantry units in combat and peacetime.  He earned a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point, a Master of Arts in International Relations from Boston University, and a Masters of Business Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  LTC Balestri is married and has four children.  He enjoys athletics and outdoor activities.  LTC Balestri is currently a resident student at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA.