Ralph Boelter Named Assistant Director of the Counterterrorism Division

Director Robert S. Mueller, III named Ralph S. Boelter assistant director of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. Mr. Boelter most recently served as acting assistant director of the Counterterrorism Division.

Mr. Boelter began his career as a special agent with the FBI in July 1991. He first reported to the Boston Division where he investigated white collar crime, violent crime and criminal enterprise matters.

In December 1997, he was promoted and worked in the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. Mr. Boelter oversaw many of the Bureau’s violent crime and fugitive investigations.

He transferred to the Los Angeles Division in March 2000 to supervise the Violent Crime and Criminal Enterprise Branch out of the Long Beach Resident Agency. Mr. Boelter later served as acting assistant special agent in charge of the branch in November 2001, and was officially named to the position in January 2003.

Mr. Boelter was assigned as a detail in April 2005 for the investigation involving the unauthorized disclosure of CIA Agent Valerie Plame Wilson’s covert identity.

He returned to FBI Headquarters in September 2005 when he was promoted to the position of inspector. In this position, he led inspection teams in comprehensive assessments of FBI offices around the world.

Director Muller appointed Mr. Boelter as special agent in charge of the Minneapolis Division in December 2006. He managed high profile investigations including the Thomas Petters $3.6 billion corporate fraud case and the priority counterterrorism matter involving the recruitment of several Somali-American men in support of the designated terrorist organization, al-Shabaab.

Mr. Boelter received the 2010 Presidential Rank Award for sustained meritorious performance as a senior executive and demonstrating police leadership. In April 2011, Mr. Boelter was appointed as deputy assistant director of the Strategic Operations Branch, Counterterrorism Division, at FBI Headquarters. Mr. Boelter is a native of Wisconsin.

Mullen Talks Change, Leadership With Troops in Mosul

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

MOSUL, Iraq, Aug. 1, 2011 – Navy Adm. Mike Mullen today got a taste of the ground truth that American service members live every day in this northern Iraqi city.

It was more than 125 degrees outside when the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff spoke to about 400 service members at the Marez gym here. He thanked them for their service, and said America was “blessed” to have them.

Mosul was a concern when he took office in 2007, the chairman noted. “Mosul was in really, really tough shape,” he said. “The violence was high, and it was al-Qaida Central.”

The change in the city is striking, Mullen said, and he thanked the service members for what they do day in and day out to give the Iraqis the chance for a democratic and free future.

The chairman also spoke to the 1st Cavalry Division’s 4th Advise and Assist Brigade about change. “There are opportunities in change, but change can also be very challenging,” he said.

The service members have made changes in Mosul, the chairman added, but change also is going to be felt in the U.S. military writ large. “Change has become a way of life for us across the board,” he said.

Mullen told the troops that a deal had been struck in the debt-ceiling debate, but that the message of the debate will have far-reaching effects for the military, repeating an opinion he frequently has expressed.

“I believe that debt is the biggest threat to our national security,” he said. “We cannot keep increasing our debt and expect the Pentagon … to get the resources we need.”

While the nation will get through these debt problems, Mullen said, the money for national defense is not an unlimited pot. “There will be tough decisions to make,” he added. “It is the first time we have been through a cycle like this when we have two wars, an all-volunteer force, the numbers of deployments and the challenges we have to deal with this.”

Retention and recruiting are high, but they will be constrained, he said. The services must keep the best people, he told the service members. He urged them to diversify their experience and get more education, because the services need highly qualified, highly educated personnel to weather this cycle.

Today’s force is the most combat-experienced force in American history, with many soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines serving multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. “One of the questions is ‘How do we sustain this over time?” he said.

Leadership will see the military through a lot of these problems, the chairman said, adding that he wants leaders at all levels to step forward.

“Anybody who is out there … [in the] front, middle or back can make a difference,” he said. “You’ve seen that in combat, [and] you’ve seen it in peace.”

Part of leadership at all levels is taking care of each other, the chairman said. All, he added, must work to eliminate sexual assaults in the military and to help service members contemplating suicide, and all have to work to eliminate any stigma associated with seeking help for post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury.

Mullen told the noncommissioned officers in the audience that they had succeeded because someone made a difference in their lives. “I ask that you do the same,” he said. “Figure it out. Pay it back that way.

“Prepare them,” he continued. “Give them opportunities for leadership, give them opportunities for responsibility, [and] give them opportunities for education and training.”

Former Soldier Draws on Past to Raise Awareness

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

June 29, 2007 – As the nation's servicemembers continue to fight the global war on terrorism, a group is working to make sure the Americans they're defending are aware of their sacrifices. "The Greer Foundation raises public awareness of the sacrifices of serving the nation through outreach and commentary on the war on terror," said Steve Greer, the group's founder. His experiences as an Army command sergeant major in Kosovo and other places that give him the knowledge base for this endeavor, he added.

Greer retired from the Army in January 2003, and started the foundation that same year with his wife, Jennifer, who also is a former soldier. Since then, he has given more than 400 interviews addressing the challenges U.S. troops face while fighting the global war on terrorism. He also speaks free of charge at civic-club meetings, universities and military bases in support of the troops.

Greer has been a member of the Defense Department's retired military analysts group since 2004, and has traveled the world, "visiting troops to thank them for their sacrifices," he said.

While the Greer Foundation's main focus is educating the public about the troops' sacrifices through radio and TV commentary and speaking engagements, it administers two award programs: one honors those killed in action, and the other recognizes children affected by war and conflict.

"Specifically, we award the Master Sgt. William "Chief" Carlson Tomahawk Medal and the Tarlavsky-Price Youth Leadership Award," Greer said. "Both awards honor the sacrifices of three of America's finest warriors and very close friends of mine."

The foundation is one of the newest home-front members of the America Supports You program. The Defense Department program connects citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.

Greer said he's proud the foundation is now part of America Supports You, and he looks forward to the mutual benefits the partnership will provide.