Thursday, December 25, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Different Kind of Leadership Book!
I write police promotional textbook exams and assessments for a living [...]. I'm always seeking out new and cutting edge books in the fields of police supervision, management and leadership. So, I was very pleasantly surprised after I finished reading this unique leadership book. It presents an impressive amount of information on leadership in a fun and interesting format - with liberal use of relevant and humorous quotes, experiences and analogies. Your retention of the material will be extremely high because of the author's unique writing style and the attention-grabbing format. Both authors are highly qualified and experienced to present this material - but that's not the primary reason you should consider this book. If you are in law enforcement, entering law enforcement or looking to advance your law enforcement career, this book not only covers the basic leadrship experience in a way that is lively and interesting, it makes you relate to and almost experience the hardcore, daily struggle all law enforcement supervisors and managers have with how to select, train and "grow" quality law enforcement personnel. It took a lot of guts to write a leadership book in such a unique format. And guts is what you'll need in Poker .. and in Leadership ... and this book, if nothing else, will make you see how you can embody these leadership skills.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Friday, December 05, 2008
Police Author Published in Overseas Text Book
December 5, 2008 (San Dimas, CA) In November 2008, the ICFAI Business School Research Center (Chennai, India) published Employee Morale: Concepts and Cases. Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA is the author of Chapter 12: Morale: Whose Job is it Anyway?
The ICFAI said of the book, the initiative “is to publish a series of books in the areas of finance, management and allied areas with a special focus on emerging and frontier areas.” Foster, the co-author of Leadership: Texas Hold ‘em Style, said that he was contacted by the ICFAI University in the Summer of 2007 about using an earlier article on employee morale as the basis for a chapter in the book. Foster continued, “we were just in the finishing stages of production on the leadership book when the Indian University contacted me. I liked two things about the proposal – the subject is particularity interesting to me and it was an opportunity to reach out to an additional 900 million readers.”
Foster noted that while the book has only recently reached US shores, it has been available in India since August 2008. Foster said, “I hadn’t seen a copy, but when I began to get a lot of email from India from students, academics and business professional about the book, I knew it must have been published.”
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA is the author of books subjects of policing, technology and leadership. His most recent book, Leadership: Texas Hold ‘em Style has been adopted by several universities for course work and other organizations for employee development. He is also a part-time faculty advisor, lecture and the Criminal Justice Department chair at the Union Institute and University. Raymond can be reached through www.pokerleadership.com
The ICFAI said of the book, the initiative “is to publish a series of books in the areas of finance, management and allied areas with a special focus on emerging and frontier areas.” Foster, the co-author of Leadership: Texas Hold ‘em Style, said that he was contacted by the ICFAI University in the Summer of 2007 about using an earlier article on employee morale as the basis for a chapter in the book. Foster continued, “we were just in the finishing stages of production on the leadership book when the Indian University contacted me. I liked two things about the proposal – the subject is particularity interesting to me and it was an opportunity to reach out to an additional 900 million readers.”
Foster noted that while the book has only recently reached US shores, it has been available in India since August 2008. Foster said, “I hadn’t seen a copy, but when I began to get a lot of email from India from students, academics and business professional about the book, I knew it must have been published.”
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA is the author of books subjects of policing, technology and leadership. His most recent book, Leadership: Texas Hold ‘em Style has been adopted by several universities for course work and other organizations for employee development. He is also a part-time faculty advisor, lecture and the Criminal Justice Department chair at the Union Institute and University. Raymond can be reached through www.pokerleadership.com
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Leadership in Tough Times
Times are getting tougher. Most of us are not the top person in leading our organization; we are line supervisors and middle managers; but it’s still getting tougher. While we don’t make the big decisions we have a responsibility to provide leadership for our organizations and for our followers. Indeed, if enough of us in the ranks make small adjustments the cumulative effect on our organizations may forestall the sweeping cut-backs coming from the top. We have a responsibility to act and here are five cards you can play:
READ ON
http://www.pokerleadership.com/leadership_tough_times.html
READ ON
http://www.pokerleadership.com/leadership_tough_times.html
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Life Coach
The November 21, 2008, program of the Watering Hole will feature a conversation with former Ontario Provincial Police Officer Julie Hryniewicz-Hache who is an author, speaker, trainer and life coach; “If you are looking to achieve goals or overcome self-imposed limitations, Julie is a Certified Coach Practitioner, with the Certified Coaches Federation, Julie will support and guide you towards the life goals you are looking to achieve.”
Program Date: November 21, 2008
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Life Coach
Listen Live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2008/11/22/Life-Coach
About the Guest
Julie Hryniewicz-Hache is an inspirational speaker, life coach, author, and corporate trainer in the realm work/life balance and wellness. As former Ontario Provincial Police Officer in five separate Northern Ontario detachments, some of Julie's specialty positions included Hostage and Crisis Negotiator, Acting Detective Sergeant, Investigator with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, and Casino Intelligence Liaison officer.
Following her policing career, Julie became a college level instructor in the Police Foundations and Criminal Justice Program. Using her experience in policing and as a front-line social service worker in child protective services, with young offenders, and facilitating social skills programs in homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and low income housing complexes, Julie shares her journey of burnout and healing with others as a writer of magazine articles, columnist, host of a community online talk radio show, author of a book titled, "Natural Balance" as well as the audio CD program, "What Happened To My Tires?" on life balance.
Julie Hryniewicz-Hache is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario with an Honors Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, with criminology studies from Lake Superior State University in Michigan towards her degree, as well as a Law Clerk diploma from the Ontario business college. Julie was recently a selected participant of the two-and-a-half week, 2008 Governor General's Canadian Leadership Conference. For further information about Julie, her work, and her inspirational blog, you can visit her website at: www.MakeItWorkSeminars.com.
About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.
About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in law enforcement, public policy, law enforcement technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in law enforcement.
Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2008/11/22/Life-Coach
Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530
Program Date: November 21, 2008
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Life Coach
Listen Live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2008/11/22/Life-Coach
About the Guest
Julie Hryniewicz-Hache is an inspirational speaker, life coach, author, and corporate trainer in the realm work/life balance and wellness. As former Ontario Provincial Police Officer in five separate Northern Ontario detachments, some of Julie's specialty positions included Hostage and Crisis Negotiator, Acting Detective Sergeant, Investigator with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, and Casino Intelligence Liaison officer.
Following her policing career, Julie became a college level instructor in the Police Foundations and Criminal Justice Program. Using her experience in policing and as a front-line social service worker in child protective services, with young offenders, and facilitating social skills programs in homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and low income housing complexes, Julie shares her journey of burnout and healing with others as a writer of magazine articles, columnist, host of a community online talk radio show, author of a book titled, "Natural Balance" as well as the audio CD program, "What Happened To My Tires?" on life balance.
Julie Hryniewicz-Hache is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario with an Honors Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, with criminology studies from Lake Superior State University in Michigan towards her degree, as well as a Law Clerk diploma from the Ontario business college. Julie was recently a selected participant of the two-and-a-half week, 2008 Governor General's Canadian Leadership Conference. For further information about Julie, her work, and her inspirational blog, you can visit her website at: www.MakeItWorkSeminars.com.
About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.
About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in law enforcement, public policy, law enforcement technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in law enforcement.
Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2008/11/22/Life-Coach
Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
American Heroes Story Contest
Law enforcement, fire, military and other emergency services personnel are our American Heroes. Did one of your parents, a sibling, a friend or even an anonymous American Hero touch your life? Who is your American Hero and what is their story? American Heroes Press is looking for the best stories about our heroes. You don't have to be a member of the law enforcement, fire, military or emergency services community to enter. You simply need to share your story concerning these unique individuals – whether funny, compelling or truly life-altering
The contest launches Nov. 3, 2008. We will accept submissions through Jan. 31, 2009. Winners will be announced April 1, 2009.
Grand Prize
One Grand-Prize-winning story will be selected. The author of the story will receive the following prizes:
Choice of $200 cash, or $250 credit toward an American Heroes Publishing package
Featured spot for his/her Grand-Prize winning story in the contest anthology
Printed and bound copy of the finished anthology
Runner-Up
One Runner-Up-winning story will be selected. The author of the story will receive the following prizes:
Choice of $100 cash, or $150 credit toward an American Heroes Publishing package
Featured spot for his/her Runner-Up winning story in the contest anthology
Printed and bound copy of the finished anthology
Finalists
Fifteen Finalist stories will be selected. Each finalist author will receive the following prizes:
Inclusion of his/her winning story in the contest anthology
Printed and bound copy of the finished anthology
All participants will be eligible to receive an electronic copy of the finished anthology.
CLICK HERE FOR CONTEST DETAILS
About American Heroes Press
American Heroes Press is more than just a means of publishing your book. It's a growing, active and innovative community of writers. Retired police Lt. Raymond E. Foster of the Los Angeles Police Department started this community in 2003. Today it offers a brand of publishing designed specifically for true American Heroes: police, military, firefighters and emergency workers. As an American Hero, great things are accomplished through teamwork. This community – this team – is here to help you achieve success with your literary work.
More information about American Heroes Press can be found at: www.americanheroespress.com
The contest launches Nov. 3, 2008. We will accept submissions through Jan. 31, 2009. Winners will be announced April 1, 2009.
Grand Prize
One Grand-Prize-winning story will be selected. The author of the story will receive the following prizes:
Choice of $200 cash, or $250 credit toward an American Heroes Publishing package
Featured spot for his/her Grand-Prize winning story in the contest anthology
Printed and bound copy of the finished anthology
Runner-Up
One Runner-Up-winning story will be selected. The author of the story will receive the following prizes:
Choice of $100 cash, or $150 credit toward an American Heroes Publishing package
Featured spot for his/her Runner-Up winning story in the contest anthology
Printed and bound copy of the finished anthology
Finalists
Fifteen Finalist stories will be selected. Each finalist author will receive the following prizes:
Inclusion of his/her winning story in the contest anthology
Printed and bound copy of the finished anthology
All participants will be eligible to receive an electronic copy of the finished anthology.
CLICK HERE FOR CONTEST DETAILS
About American Heroes Press
American Heroes Press is more than just a means of publishing your book. It's a growing, active and innovative community of writers. Retired police Lt. Raymond E. Foster of the Los Angeles Police Department started this community in 2003. Today it offers a brand of publishing designed specifically for true American Heroes: police, military, firefighters and emergency workers. As an American Hero, great things are accomplished through teamwork. This community – this team – is here to help you achieve success with your literary work.
More information about American Heroes Press can be found at: www.americanheroespress.com
Monday, November 03, 2008
No More “My Way or the Highway”: Embracing the 21st Century Workforce
Editor’s Note: Registration is free and open
On November 19, 2008, the National Institute of Corrections will host a live 3-hour satellite/Internet broadcast to provide an overview of the divisions related to generational differences and how to address them.
Collaboration within today’s multigenerational workplace gets everybody involved with a common goal. Today’s workforce poses both challenges and opportunities for agency leaders. Developing effective strategies to recruit, communicate, train, retain, and lead staff is essential to high performance.
Is your organization looking for answers to the following questions?
Why don’t the younger staff act more like me?
Why don’t these boomers just retire and give me a chance to promote?
How do we begin to prepare new leaders given our fiscal circumstances?
What does the future of our organization look like? Who’s next?
How do we prepare the next generation of leaders? (“Building the bench.”)
How do we help the last century’s workforce evolve into the new century’s workers?
Does your mission/vision statement reflect a commitment to staff?
MORE INFORMATION/REGISTRATION
http://www.nicic.gov/Training/SIB111908
On November 19, 2008, the National Institute of Corrections will host a live 3-hour satellite/Internet broadcast to provide an overview of the divisions related to generational differences and how to address them.
Collaboration within today’s multigenerational workplace gets everybody involved with a common goal. Today’s workforce poses both challenges and opportunities for agency leaders. Developing effective strategies to recruit, communicate, train, retain, and lead staff is essential to high performance.
Is your organization looking for answers to the following questions?
Why don’t the younger staff act more like me?
Why don’t these boomers just retire and give me a chance to promote?
How do we begin to prepare new leaders given our fiscal circumstances?
What does the future of our organization look like? Who’s next?
How do we prepare the next generation of leaders? (“Building the bench.”)
How do we help the last century’s workforce evolve into the new century’s workers?
Does your mission/vision statement reflect a commitment to staff?
MORE INFORMATION/REGISTRATION
http://www.nicic.gov/Training/SIB111908
Friday, October 31, 2008
Finding Leadership
Stop the presses! (or, the bytes)
My question is – have you done everything possible to make your print edition as successful as possible? The business of writing is like any other business. You have different streams of sales. Each of those streams has a maximum capacity. By adding an electronic version of your book you are concentrating on adding capacity, but not maximizing capacity in existing streams.
BTW, I have published through large houses and self-published. My last book I sold to two different publishers (one small press and one medium), but I didn’t like the deal – they didn’t share my vision and it was obvious their marketing efforts weren’t going to at least match mine. So, I self-published. The first anniversary of that book past on October 27th. We sold 1400 copies in that first year.
Since you have both a website and an Amazon listing, here are ten things you can do to make those streams work together.
1. Search engine optimize (SEO) your website. Yes, you have written a book that readers will read, but you need to design a website that search engines will find. Many authors have their sites SEO for their own names or the title of their book. Okay, who searches for you? I mean if they already knew about your book or you they would have bought it. You will need to do some research and find out what people are searching for that closely matches what your book is about. As an example, Google “leadership book” and “leadership books.” The site for my leadership book should appear, for “book” on the first page of Google; for “books” the second page; and for the word “leadership” four or five pages back. You can see as a search term becomes more valuable (in terms of potential site visitors) my site (www.pokerleadership.com) descends the list.
a. Make a list of three word, two word and then single words that people search for and when they do would make your book a potential sale.
b. Begin with the three word combinations and adjust your website (title, meta data, content and links, etc) to reflect those words. As time passes, you can work on making the two word, then the single “hot” word push you to the top of the search engines.
2. Sell your book – make the “purchase now” button or whatever super super easy to find. On my home page there are at least five different ways to “click to buy” People simply see things differently.
3. Become an Amazon Affiliate. Make any book purchases through your site go through Amazon.
a. You will pick up, minimally, an addition 6.5% on each sale.
b. You will increase your own Amazon rating.
c. You can now “book bundle” on your own.
4. Add some mechanism for purchasing a signed copy. I use a paypal function.
5. Offer similar books somewhere on your website. First, if you are an affiliate, a sale a is a sale. Second, if someone buys your book and one other that you recommend, Amazon begins to bundle those purchases. They will, in some manner, offer your book as an alternative to the other book. They have some secret formula, but Amazon has actually sent out an email recommending my book, based on purchases of other books – how do I know? Well, a two day spike in sales along with someone forwarding what they received to me.
6. Use Amazon.
a. Ask every reader you know or meet to write an Amazon review. Good, bad or indifferent, reviews create content which is findable by Amazon as well as third party search engines. BTW, everyone you know is everyone who can type – your spouse, children, etc.
b. Tag your book and encourage others to do so.
c. Make an Amazon list, with your book at the top.
7. Set a “Goolge Alert” on your name, book title and the key word phrases you identified when doing your SEO homework. This is really cool.
a. As an example, I set them up. Two months ago Google emails me and tells me that the title of my book has appear on a university website. I click on that and find that the book has been adopted (yes, the self-published book) by the President of the university for use in a course he teaches in the Anderson School of Management. I send him an email thanking him and making myself available for lecture. The result was: 1) a speaking fee 2) firming up the books use in four subsequent years 3) referrals to other professors teaching similar courses 4) the library buying a copy 5) referrals to other people in the industry.
b. Every time my “key words” come up in an alert I go and visit the site. I look for: 1) is this a site that can possibly list my book 2) is this person a potential reviewer 3) should I ask this person for link to my site. You see, the search engine has already identified the site by the alert as being meaningful to you – that means a link, listing, adoption, review, etc by that website owner is pre-qualified as valuable to the search engine and your SEO efforts.
8. Google those key words – look for courses, websites, people, etc. that can potentially use your book. Sometimes, I ask them if I can send them a review copy. Open a dialogue with that person and make them a salesperson of your work.
9. On your website, find a mechanism for “fresh content.”
a. Rotate small excerpts for your book.
b. Make sure you have google ad words, they change and create shifting content.
c. Use some RSS for news feed.
10. Start a “revision” or “new edition” file. On the “contact” page on your website, let readers know you have this file. People love to help, or at least think they are helping. They will find the errors, omissions and suggest new content. Open a real dialogue with your readers by telling them you have this file and are saving their comments for future editions.
Well, that’s a lot of information. If you think my comments are valuable and you want to ‘repay me’ 1) forward this to someone 2) link to my site 3) buy my bookJ
Raymond
My question is – have you done everything possible to make your print edition as successful as possible? The business of writing is like any other business. You have different streams of sales. Each of those streams has a maximum capacity. By adding an electronic version of your book you are concentrating on adding capacity, but not maximizing capacity in existing streams.
BTW, I have published through large houses and self-published. My last book I sold to two different publishers (one small press and one medium), but I didn’t like the deal – they didn’t share my vision and it was obvious their marketing efforts weren’t going to at least match mine. So, I self-published. The first anniversary of that book past on October 27th. We sold 1400 copies in that first year.
Since you have both a website and an Amazon listing, here are ten things you can do to make those streams work together.
1. Search engine optimize (SEO) your website. Yes, you have written a book that readers will read, but you need to design a website that search engines will find. Many authors have their sites SEO for their own names or the title of their book. Okay, who searches for you? I mean if they already knew about your book or you they would have bought it. You will need to do some research and find out what people are searching for that closely matches what your book is about. As an example, Google “leadership book” and “leadership books.” The site for my leadership book should appear, for “book” on the first page of Google; for “books” the second page; and for the word “leadership” four or five pages back. You can see as a search term becomes more valuable (in terms of potential site visitors) my site (www.pokerleadership.com) descends the list.
a. Make a list of three word, two word and then single words that people search for and when they do would make your book a potential sale.
b. Begin with the three word combinations and adjust your website (title, meta data, content and links, etc) to reflect those words. As time passes, you can work on making the two word, then the single “hot” word push you to the top of the search engines.
2. Sell your book – make the “purchase now” button or whatever super super easy to find. On my home page there are at least five different ways to “click to buy” People simply see things differently.
3. Become an Amazon Affiliate. Make any book purchases through your site go through Amazon.
a. You will pick up, minimally, an addition 6.5% on each sale.
b. You will increase your own Amazon rating.
c. You can now “book bundle” on your own.
4. Add some mechanism for purchasing a signed copy. I use a paypal function.
5. Offer similar books somewhere on your website. First, if you are an affiliate, a sale a is a sale. Second, if someone buys your book and one other that you recommend, Amazon begins to bundle those purchases. They will, in some manner, offer your book as an alternative to the other book. They have some secret formula, but Amazon has actually sent out an email recommending my book, based on purchases of other books – how do I know? Well, a two day spike in sales along with someone forwarding what they received to me.
6. Use Amazon.
a. Ask every reader you know or meet to write an Amazon review. Good, bad or indifferent, reviews create content which is findable by Amazon as well as third party search engines. BTW, everyone you know is everyone who can type – your spouse, children, etc.
b. Tag your book and encourage others to do so.
c. Make an Amazon list, with your book at the top.
7. Set a “Goolge Alert” on your name, book title and the key word phrases you identified when doing your SEO homework. This is really cool.
a. As an example, I set them up. Two months ago Google emails me and tells me that the title of my book has appear on a university website. I click on that and find that the book has been adopted (yes, the self-published book) by the President of the university for use in a course he teaches in the Anderson School of Management. I send him an email thanking him and making myself available for lecture. The result was: 1) a speaking fee 2) firming up the books use in four subsequent years 3) referrals to other professors teaching similar courses 4) the library buying a copy 5) referrals to other people in the industry.
b. Every time my “key words” come up in an alert I go and visit the site. I look for: 1) is this a site that can possibly list my book 2) is this person a potential reviewer 3) should I ask this person for link to my site. You see, the search engine has already identified the site by the alert as being meaningful to you – that means a link, listing, adoption, review, etc by that website owner is pre-qualified as valuable to the search engine and your SEO efforts.
8. Google those key words – look for courses, websites, people, etc. that can potentially use your book. Sometimes, I ask them if I can send them a review copy. Open a dialogue with that person and make them a salesperson of your work.
9. On your website, find a mechanism for “fresh content.”
a. Rotate small excerpts for your book.
b. Make sure you have google ad words, they change and create shifting content.
c. Use some RSS for news feed.
10. Start a “revision” or “new edition” file. On the “contact” page on your website, let readers know you have this file. People love to help, or at least think they are helping. They will find the errors, omissions and suggest new content. Open a real dialogue with your readers by telling them you have this file and are saving their comments for future editions.
Well, that’s a lot of information. If you think my comments are valuable and you want to ‘repay me’ 1) forward this to someone 2) link to my site 3) buy my bookJ
Raymond
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Gates Honors Career Civilian Employees for Service, Dedication
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 21, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today honored career civilian employees from throughout the department, crediting them with providing extraordinary support to warfighters and their families while improving efficiency and saving taxpayer dollars. Gates presented seven employees the Distinguished Civilian Service Award, the highest department honor recognizing exceptional contributions by a civil servant. He also presented the David O. Cooke Excellence in Public Administration Award that recognizes a nonmanagerial department employee who exhibits potential as a future federal executive.
"It has been an honor to work with the people in this department – professionals whose overriding priority is the defense of our nation," Gates told the honorees.
He noted the broad range of pursuits in which the group has excelled: providing housing for troops, fielding new weapons systems while ensuring support for troops in the field, teaching safety training to foreign partners, helping to stand up U.S. Africa Command, negotiating treaties with allies and training new leaders.
Gates conceded that it's not always fashionable in Washington to honor federal government employees, and that some politicians have been elected by criticizing the people they seek to lead.
"During my career, however, I have dealt with governments all over the world, and have found that the United States has the most dedicated, most honest and most capable public servants of any," he said.
The secretary praised dedicated career employees he said provide stability through leadership changes. "You are the foundation that allows the Defense Department, the largest and most complex organization on the planet, to operate smoothly and efficiently," he said.
"Public service can often seem to be a thankless job," he said, adding that he counsels young people to accept the challenges because, "in truth, the satisfactions far outnumber the difficulties."
Gates told today's honorees their decision to dedicate themselves to public service "is to the betterment of our 2.7 million men and women serving in the active and reserve armed forces and to our leaders here."
Michael L. Rhodes, acting director for the DoD Office of Administration and Management and host of today's awards ceremony, said the award recipients demonstrate the tremendous dedication public servants take on every day.
The winners were selected through an extensive review process that culminated in 25 nominations, Rhodes said. Ultimately, those chosen for honors today "have truly set themselves apart and proved themselves worthy," he said.
Honorees awarded today were:
-- Stephen A. Fleet, director of Missile Defense Agency's Warfighter Support Center, who was recognized for excellence in leading the center through rapid changes while providing vital support to the warfighter community;
-- Steven M. Huybrechts, a director in the DoD Networks and Information Integration Office, for championing the strategy that provided precision targeting, secure unmanned aerial vehicle operations while denying these capabilities to the enemy;
-- Frank D. Kenlon, a director in the DoD Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Office, for his roles as the lead negotiator on the Joint Strike Fighter memorandum of understanding and in drafting and negotiating the U.S.-United Kingdom and U.S.-Australia Defense Trade Cooperation Treaties.
-- Claudia S. Knott, the Defense Logistics Agency's acquisition management director, for leading programs that transformed the agency's business practices while improving customer service in its global logistics mission.
-- Barbara Estock Mays, deputy intelligence enterprise manager for the Defense Intelligence Agency, for applying innovative approaches to transfer responsibilities and design an intelligence enterprise for the new U.S. Africa Command.
-- John K. Russell, tactical safety specialist for Marine Corps Base Hawaii's Base Safety Center, for developing the Marine Corps' forward-deployed ground safety program during Operation Iraqi Freedom II that provided a model for follow-on operations there; and
-- Edmund G. Zelnio, an engineer in the Air Force Research Laboratory's Sensor Automatic Target Recognition Technology Division, for contributions leading to the successful deployment of new sensor and sensor exploitation technologies in numerous weapons systems.
Gates also presented Umit A. Spencer the David O. Cooke Excellence in Public Administration Award. Spencer, housing maintenance contract monitor with the 354th Civil Engineering Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, was honored for excellence in improving and maintaining 1,474 military family housing units, 48 playgrounds and five athletic courts.
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