Nate Self was the keynote speaker on June 16th at the 12th Annual Conference of the Florida Association of Hostage Negotiators (FAHN), held in Maitland, Florida. FAHN is an association of law enforcement, mental health, criminal justice and corrections professionals, which is over 800 members strong. The men and women who make up the membership are dedicated to crisis intervention in a variety of situations, which require a highly skilled negotiator to bring about a successful resolution. Approximately 160 of our nation’s law enforcement heroes were in attendance at the conference.

Nate spoke on the topics of Leadership, Storytelling, and Post- traumatic Stress Disorder. Former Army Ranger Colonel (Retired) Danny McKnight (3rd Ranger Battalion Commander in Mogadishu, Somalia in 1993) made a surprise visit during Nate’s presentation.  Following the session, a former FAHN President–Captain Brent Coughlin of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office–made Nate the first Honorary Member of FAHN.

Link to FAHN Website

Greg Glass and Brandon Cates of Praevius Group participated in the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC), held in Tampa, FL from June 2^nd to June 4^th.  The conference is held annually as a way to bring industry representatives together with Special Operations Forces in order to help ensure the best technology available gets into the hands of the Special Operations Forces.  The theme for SOFIC 09 was: “Science and Technology for Special Operations Forces - Improving Operator Capabilities for Fighting the Global War on Terrorism.” Specific objectives for this year’s conference included the development of a shared understanding of the USSOCOM Command’s needs and priorities, and to establish greater synergy and responsiveness between industry’s technology development activities and the Command’s technology gaps. 

For more information about the conference see the link below to the SOFIC 09 Webpage.

Link to SOFIC 09.

The Praevius Group had the fortunate opportunity to join in and lead an Officer Professional Development Off-Site with the 8^th Military Police Brigade at the Ko’Olina’s Ihilani Resort in Hawaii on the 28^th of May 2009.  Almost 100 officers from various units stationed in Hawaii participated in the day long program.

As part of this event, Mr. Nate Self presented his 2002 story from a fierce battle atop Takur Ghar, in the mountains of Afghanistan.  During this emotionally charged and moving presentation, Mr. Self honored the Soldiers that made the ultimate sacrifice under his command and shared the challenging decisions that his Team faced atop that mountain seven years ago.

In addition, Mr. Chris Miller led multiple discussions around moral development and ethical decision-making in the afternoon session.  During these discussions, the Praevius team challenged the room of leaders with recent moral and ethical vignettes from Soldiers around the Army.  As part of these case studies, the group discussed the application of moral frameworks for making ethical decisions and techniques for better understanding moral intensity.

Throughout the day’s events, Mr. Self and Mr. Miller expressed the importance of each leader telling his or her own stories and effectively communicating the messages and themes that are part of the “war stories” that are so important to each of these men and women.  Each officer in the room had an opportunity to share their own stories with their small groups and to discuss why the story was fundamental to their own development.   The day concluded with the Praevius Team challenging the officers to develop and enact a moral development plan for each of their units.

Becky Halstead, a United States Army retired Brigadier General and Advisor at Large for the West Point Association of Graduates, participated in the May 2009 meeting for the Association.  Advisors and Members of the Board discussed Cadet activities, athletics, academics, and accomplishments during the meeting.  Becky highlighted the importance of the role West Point Graduates must take in recruiting and giving to ensure the Academy maintains its status as a premier Leadership, Academic, and Athletic learning institution.  An excerpt from Becky’s comments about meeting can be viewed below:

GIVE toward your Nation’s Future with Guaranteed Return on your Investment

 “West Point continues to be a great institution of learning and well respected across our nation, achieving #1 Public College and #6 overall college by Forbes survey.  The Academy continues to produce Rhodes scholars and is rated #8 in the nation with 88 graduates to have been selected to date.   The school still prides itself for its athletic focus and practice of “every cadet a competitive athlete.”  Each of us can directly contribute by identifying, educating, and encouraging quality young men and women within our schools, communities and churches to seek out the opportunity to serve a greater cause and earn a phenomenal education and life experience.  West Point’s combination of academic, athletic and leadership emphasis guarantees West Point’s continued tradition of producing men and women of competence, confidence and character, not only for our military, but for our nation at large.  Sustaining the quality of these three areas depends on the commitment and generous donations of individuals and corporations.  Please consider an investment in our nation’s future in which you are guaranteed the best return on your investment—selfless men and women willing to live and die on your behalf.” 

Becky Halstead

Class of 1981

“Strength As One, 81”

Link to West Point AOG Website

“Leadership! One of my favorite subjects! Why? Because I love people, enjoy life, and I believe leadership is about making a positive impact on people, organizations and communities.”

Becky Halstead a United States Army retired Brigadier General was featured in April’s issue of  Chiropractic Wellness and Fitness Magazine, in an article titled “Women In Leadership.” In the article she notes her definition of leadership and her top ten thoughts on leaders, leading and leadership.

To view the entire article in PDF format click here.

Austin-based radio station KUT 90.5 interviewed Nate Self on Thursday, May 14th, regarding the recent slayings of several U.S. Soldiers and clinicians in Iraq by a fellow Soldier at a mental health/combat stress clinic at Camp Liberty. Nate emphasized the responsibility of all Soldiers to look out for each other in identifying symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as well as the individual Soldier’s responsibility to seek help. Nate discussed cultural changes in the perception of Soldiers with PTSD and the progress that the military has made to understand and address the issue. Nate has been educating audiences across the country on his own experiences with PTSD by way of public speaking venues and through his book, Two Wars.

The interview audio may be found online on KUT’s website, http://kut.org/items/show/16819, or downloaded directly here.

Praevius is honored to welcome Jason Torczynski to the team. Jason recently worked as a business consultant in the  energy services industry. Prior to that opportunity, he served as a business analyst and product manager with Chevron Phillips Chemical Company in Houston. Jason also served for 8 years in the United States Army and commanded an Artillery Battery while deployed in Iraq. He will serve as the Operations Officer in the Salado office.  Jason is a 1998 graduate of The United States Military Academy.