Maxie L. McFarland (also known as Maxie MacFarland), was one of thirteen tier-3 US Government Defense Senior Executives, serving as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence (G–2) for the U.S. Army's Training and Doctrine Command located at Fort Monroe, Virginia.[1][2] Starting in June 2011,[3] he worked as the Executive Vice President for Strategic Planning for the Sierra Nevada Corporation. Maxie McFarland died on 8 November 2013 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.[4] He was inducted into the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame in 2014.[5]

Maxie L. McFarland

Civilian career edit

As the TRADOC G-2, McFarland served as the Army's lead for analyzing the characteristics of future military operations and describing the conditions and threats they might contain. This effort supports the development of concepts, education of leaders, design of new capabilities, training or military units and enables experimentation. In coordination with Joint Forces Command, other governmental agencies and services, and the private and academic sectors, TRADOC G-2 develops the operational environment (OE), which is the Army's authoritative perspective of the future.[6] As a function of his work on the Operational Environment, McFarland often took unconventional avenues in order to replicate the complexity and uncertainty of the operational environment that his staff defines. He sponsored a variety of initiatives for the Army and Joint forces, including: the Army Opposing Force Program,[7] the Army Starfish Program,[8] Red Teaming capability,[9] the Army Culture and Foreign Language Strategy,[10] Human Terrain System[11] Foreign Military and Cultural Studies,[9] and the Joint Training Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Operations Integration Center (JTCOIC).[12] Collectively, these programs provide support to deployed forces, coalition partners, the Army's Combat Training Centers, Army educational institutions and schools, as well as various capability development and integration centers.

From December 2005 to May 2007, McFarland was assigned by the Army Chief of Staff to support the establishment and expansion of the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO). He served as a special advisor to the Director and as the Deputy Director for Concepts, Strategy and Intelligence. In this capacity, McFarland was responsible for initiating JIEDDO's Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Operational Integration Center, establishing the law enforcement support program, and overseeing the development of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance capabilities to counter improvised explosive device threats as well as numerous other initiatives.[13]

Education edit

Maxie Lawrence McFarland was born on 5 August 1950.[4] He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1973, a Master of Education Degree in Psychology and Counseling from Southern Arkansas University in 1985, and a Master of Arts Degree in Strategy and Policy from the Naval War College in 1995. In addition, McFarland completed the following military training programs: Signal Officers Basic Course, Infantry Officers Advance Course, Counter-Intelligence Officers Course, Command and General Staff college, Electronic Warfare/Signals Intelligence Course.

Military career edit

Following his college graduation, McFarland joined the Army in 1973 and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the Signal Corps. In 1975 he branch transferred to the infantry and served as an Infantry Officer until his branch transfer to Military Intelligence in 1985. Throughout his active duty career, he served in a wide variety of operational and intelligence-related command and staff positions, both in the United States and overseas. He has twice served as a battalion commander and completed four tours as a G2 at the Division through Army level. He retired from active duty as a Colonel after serving for more than 25 years and shortly thereafter was selected for the Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service in July 2002.

Summary of career edit

Conferences edit

McFarland participated in specialized conferences, including:

  • "2009 Intelligence Warfighting Summit";[16] McFarland's report entitled as "Operational Environment – Co-Creation of Understanding"[17]
  • "Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance Conference 2011";[18] McFarland's report entitled as "ISR on the Battlefield"[19]

Publications edit

McFarland authored several works, including:

  • "Military Intelligence Gunnery" (1994)[20]
  • Opposing Force Doctrinal Framework and Strategy (2003)[21]
  • "Military Cultural Education" (2005)[22]
  • "A Center for Learning Innovation" (2010)[23]
  • "Concluding Remarks about Environmental and Human Security and the Role of U.S. Military Forces in Africa in the Future" (2010)[24]

Awards and honors edit

His personal and unit awards and decorations include the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Executive (2006),[14] the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2002), two Legion of Merit awards (1995, 1997), three Meritorious Service Medal awards (1992, 1994, 1996), the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, NATO Medal, Army Service Ribbon, four Overseas Service Ribbons and the Military Parachutist Badge.

References edit

  1. ^ Skelton, Ike (12 June 2001). "Graduation Address at US Army War College. Hon. Ike Skelton of Missouri in The House of Representatives". In United States Congress (ed.). Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the 107th Congress, First Session. Vol. 147. Washington D.C.: GPO. p. 10494. ISSN 0883-1947. LCCN 12-36438. OCLC 5058415. Recently, I visited TRADOC headquarters at Ft. Monroe, and received an excellent briefing from General John Abrams and his staff, especially Colonel Maxie MacFarland on the "Battlefield of the Future". {{cite book}}: |journal= ignored (help)
  2. ^ Swain, Richard M. (May 2003). Neither War nor Not War: Army Command in Europe during the Time of Peace Operations: Tasks Confronting USAREUR Commanders, 1994–2000 (PDF). SSI, USAWC. pp. 59, 77. ISBN 978-1-58487-130-9. OCLC 53032134. Colonel MacFarland, the V Corps G-2 and USAREUR (Forward) Force Protection Officer, was responsible for inspecting every unit that departed the ISB.
  3. ^ Stanton, John (13 June 2011). "US Army's Maxie McFarland Vacates: Turkey Goes for US COIN/HTS". Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  4. ^ a b Burial Detail: McFarland, Maxie Lawrence – ANC Explorer. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  5. ^ Colonel Maxie L. McFarland, US Army, Retired, Department of Army Civilian, Retired (Deceased), Military Intelligence Hall of Fame biography, at https://www.ikn.army.mil/apps/MIHOF/biographies/McFarland,%20Maxie.pdf
  6. ^ Headquarters, Department of the Army (27 February 2008). FM 3–0, Operations (PDF). Washington, DC: GPO. ISBN 9781437901290. OCLC 780900309. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 October 2009. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  7. ^ Department of the Army (9 April 2004). "Opposing Force (OPFOR) Program" (PDF). www.fas.org (Training). unclassified. AR 350–2: Opposing Force (OPFOR) Program. Headquarters, Department of the Army. This regulation establishes policies and procedures concerning integration of the Opposing Force Program into Army-wide training, training development, and other developmental activities. (web-version).
  8. ^ Dempsey, Martin E. (19 April 2010). "The Army's Starfish Program and an Emphasis on Decentralization". smallwarsjournal.com (SWJ Blog Post). Small Wars Journal. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
  9. ^ a b Headquarters, Department of the Army (2009). "Red Team Education and Training". www.army.mil (Information Papers). Retrieved 14 August 2013.
  10. ^ TRADOC (2009). "Army Culture and Foreign Language Strategy (ACFLS)". secureweb2.hqda.pentagon.mil. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
  11. ^ HTS (2005). "About the Human Terrain System". hts.army.mil. Archived from the original on 20 August 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
  12. ^ TRADOC (2009). "Joint Training Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Operations Integration Center (JTCOIC)". secureweb2.hqda.pentagon.mil. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
  13. ^ Adamson, William G. (22 February 2007). "An Asymmetric Threat Invokes Strategic Leader Initiative: The Joint Improvised Explosive Defeat Organization" (DOC). www.wired.com (Research Paper. Dr. John Bokel). (Seminar 7); Dr. Greg Foster, Primary Faculty Advisor. Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University. p. 47.
  14. ^ a b c d Weekly Community News (9 November 2007). "Community | Home: McFarland earns Presidential Rank Award from Army". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Chattanooga. Archived from the original on 13 September 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2013. 'Maxie L. McFarland', son of 'Maxine McFarland' of Soddy-Daisy, received the 'Presidential Rank Award' as one of the top career executives and senior professionals in the U.S. Army.
  15. ^ a b c d e McFarland, Maxie (2011). "Maxie McFarland – Executive Vice President for Strategic Initaitives at Sierra Nevada Corporation" (Profile). Retrieved 13 September 2013.[circular reference]
  16. ^ United States Army Intelligence Center; Fort Huachuca (15–17 December 2009). "2009 Intelligence Warfighting Summit: "Intelligence on the Edge: Setting the Conditions for Success"". National Conference Services, Inc. Tucson, AZ. Archived from the original on 26 December 2010. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  17. ^ United States Army Intelligence Center; Fort Huachuca (December 2009). "2009 Intelligence Warfighting Summit: Agenda (Wednesday, Dec. 16)". National Conference Services, Inc. Tucson, AZ. Archived from the original on 26 December 2010. Retrieved 13 September 2013. 'Operational Environment – Co-Creation of Understanding'. Mr. Maxie McFarland, 'Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Monroe, Virginia'
  18. ^ Technology Training Corporation (8–9 December 2011). "Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance Conference 2011". Technology Training Corporation. Washington, D.C. Archived from the original on 4 November 2011. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  19. ^ Technology Training Corporation (October 2011). "Next–Generation ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance) – Opportunities, Challenges, Threats and Emerging Capabilities" (PDF). Defense, Aerospace & Energy Conferences and Events | ASDEvents. Washington, D.C. Retrieved 13 September 2013. 'ISR on the Battlefield'. Colonel (ret) Maxie McFarland, 'Executive Vice President, Sierra Nevada Corporation; former Director, Intelligence, US Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC)'
  20. ^ McFarland, Maxie; Potter, Gregg; Smith, Douglas (April–June 1994). "Military Intelligence Gunnery". Military Intelligence Professional Bulletin (Training Notes). 20 (2, April–June): 45–48. ISSN 0026-4024. OCLC 32678974. Retrieved 14 August 2013. (alternate web-link). "LTC McFarland is the Division G2 for the 2d Armor Division, Fort Hood, TX, CPT Smith is serving in the 902d MI Battalion, and CPT Potter is the S2 for 3d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division."
  21. ^ Headquarters, Department of the Army (1 May 2003). FM 7-100, Opposing Force Doctrinal Framework and Strategy (PDF). Maxie L. McFarland (Foreword). ISBN 978-1-60170-444-3. ISBN 1-60170-444-5. "The Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence (DCSINT) of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) is the Executive Agent for the development, management, administration, integration, and approval functions of the OPFOR Program across the Army. Thus, the TRADOC DCSINT is responsible for documenting the doctrine, organization, and capabilities of a contemporary OPFOR that is appropriate for training the Army’s leaders, soldiers, and units for the COE."
  22. ^ McFarland, Maxie (2005). "Military Cultural Education" (PDF). Military Review (March–April). USACAC: 62–69. ISSN 0026-4148. OCLC 98870577. Retrieved 14 August 2013. Colonel Maxie McFarland, U.S. Army, Retired (web-version).
  23. ^ McFarland, Maxie (July 2010). "A Center for Learning Innovation". Military Training Technology. 15 (4). ISSN 1097-0975. OCLC 848194315. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
  24. ^ McFarland, Maxie; Feldman, Robert (2010). "Concluding Remarks about Environmental and Human Security and the Role of U.S. Military Forces in Africa in the Future (Chapter 11)". In Purkitt, Helen E. (ed.). African Environmental and Human Security in the 21st Century. Amherst.: Cambria Press. pp. 237–246. ISBN 978-1-60497-646-5. OCLC 811553936. ISBN 1-60497-646-2

External links edit