Derek West

Mr. West is a military officer deeply concerned with developing a community of multinational military professionals to work with other elements of power in an integrated manner to smartly help democracy to flourish globally.  He has experience in joint special operations combat missions around the world, air and space weapon systems acquisition, weather forecasting with an emphasis on hurricanes, professional military education, and with NATO in Europe.  In 1991, he graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy with academic distinction in the honors program.  Later, he earned his doctorate in atmospheric science from Ohio State University, in 1998.  He obtained a master’s degree during his attendance at the Air Command and Staff College, in 2006, where he focused on political-military affairs and partnering with Japan to defeat global terrorism and to secure global energy supplies.  Auburn University Montgomery honored him as an outstanding graduate student with their General J.B. Davis Award as he achieved a master of international relations degree, in 2007.  He is currently a member of the U.S. Army War College’s Class of 2009.  The 21st Century Trust selected him for fellowship in 2002.  His current research interest is how democracies can effectively navigate the security challenges posed by globalization and climate change in this new century.