David Ashcraft

Serves as the representative of the United States Army's Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) to the French Army. Plans, develops, and executes TRADOC's Security Cooperation (SC) Engagement Plan with the French Army in coordination with HQDA and Army Service Component Command (ASCC) SC objectives. Plans and coordinates bilateral activities between French Army, TRADOC and TRADOC-adjacent organizations consistent with specific Army Service Component Command's (ASCC) regional and country campaign plan end-states. Facilitates exchange of doctrine, organization, training, material, leader development, personnel, facilities, and policy (DOTmLPF-P) information within the context of TRADOC's core competencies and functions to improve interoperability and enhance the institutional, operational, and tactical-level capabilities of both armies. Guides and participates in Army-Army Staff Talks, Training and Doctrine Talks, key leader engagements, and other mil-mil events to sustain access and build relationships for future alliance and coalition operations. Duties also included deployment to Germany to serve with the Russia Deconfliction cell established after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Branch Chief of the Washington-Moscow Direct Communications Link (DCL/MOLINK), the "HOTLINE", the President of the United States' (POTUS) private and crisis communications link to the President of the Russian Federation. Ensures reliability of the DCL. Supervises 13 handpicked field-grade military/civilian Russian area experts and senior non-commissioned officer communication specialists in direct support of POTUS. Supervises and safeguards absolute privacy of all POTUS communications with the Russian President. Certifies translations of Russian language messages from the President of the Russian Federation to POTUS. Briefs and escorts US/foreign dignitaries and military officials. Provides linguistic support to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Services and the interagency.

Competitively selected for Ukrainian Conversion/Transition course, based on previous knowledge of Russian. Recommended for possible future assignment in Ukraine, based on class performance. Passed Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) with 2 Listening and 2+ Reading, and earned a 2+ on Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI).

Selectively manned Joint Critical Duty position at the DoD level. Assigned as the lead military planner Russia Plans & Exercises Branch, Plans, Exercise and Doctrine Division, Deputy Directorate for Intelligence Support to Operations, Plans and Policy, J2 Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS). Serves as the lead military Russia Strategic Initiative intelligence planner. Coordinates actions/activities with the CJCS Joint Operational War Plans Division, the COCOMs and the Combat Support Agencies to identify, prioritize and direct the intelligence review and assessment of Russia-related strategic planning documents, contingency and campaign plans. Evaluates COCOM plans and provides Intelligence to the CJCS Joint Exercises and Training Division during the development and execution of Russia-related exercises linked with The Chairman's Exercise Program. Augments the CJCS Crisis Management Team as directed. Also directs J2 support for global integration rehearsals.

Position also included temporary duty in Geneva Switzerland from December 2016 to February 2017 in support of US interagency efforts for Syrian cease-fire and humanitarian relief negotiations.

Provides political, cultural, and security assessments and estimates at the tactical, operational and strategic levels regarding Israeli security interests, capabilities, intentions, vulnerabilities and predictions on courses of action. Interacts and maintains close relationships with representatives from the Government of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces, the Office of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), other appropriate Israeli security-related agencies and employees of the Department of Defense and the Department of State who work in support of the US Embassy Tel Aviv, as well as with representatives of other appropriate allied/partner nations or Non-government organizations based in Tel Aviv. Personally assists the United States Security Coordinator in meetings and engagements with Israeli representatives, organizations and agencies.

Serves in a joint duty assignment in the Department of Defense as Chief, Russian Leadership and Defense Policy Branch, Europe Eurasia Regional Center, providing strategic-level intelligence to the Department of Defense and national-level policy makers. Produces predictive all-source intelligence assessments on defense and stability concerns for the Joint Staff, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the National Security Council, the Director of National Intelligence, Combatant Commands, and the President of the United States. Coordinates, writes, and briefs timely objective assessments on foreign political-military issues affecting U.S. national security policies and strategies in collaboration with the intelligence community. Plans for, acquires, organizes, integrates, develops and prioritizes human, material and information resources to accomplish the department’s missions and objectives.

Team Chief for the European Command (EUCOM) Regionally Aligned Force Training Team (EUCOM RAF-TT) within an Infantry Brigade. Responsible for training units, individuals, and Security Force Assistance (SFA) teams from Regionally Aligned Forces employment within the EUCOM AOR and in other COCOM AORs as designated. On order, assist with BOE effort to train Combat Advisors for Afghanistan, to include service as an Instructor or as an Observer-Coach/Trainer. Serves as an advocate on Language, Regional, and Cultural (LREC) matters for the United States, the US Army, and the global community.Represents the unit and the US Army in national and international forums. Perform outreach efforts in the community with emphasis on language classes in area schools.

Supervise all French language instruction at the United States Military Academy, including courses at the beginner, intermediate and advanced level, as well as coursework in French literature, civilization, and military readings. Coordinate long- and short-term study abroad and military training opportunities for West Point cadets in Francophone countries. Serves as escort officer for French-speaking dignitaries and delegations visiting West Point. Served as a member of West Point’s faculty council. Served as guest lecturer on French Armed Forces for West Point’s Comparative Military Studies class.

Competitively selected to represent the US Army and the Department of Defense as a graduate student at Yale University's Jackson School of International Affairs.

Competitively selected to represent our Nation and Army overseas by attending a Foreign Military Command and General Staff College (CGSC) in lieu of attending the Army’s own CGSC at Fort Leavenworth. Learned and applied military planning procedures for French Armed Forces, as well as their application in the context of alliance and coalition operations. All instruction was in French.

Second in command of an 18 person Joint Army/Air Force Mission Crew aboard the E-8C JOINT STARS aircraft. Served as Ground Component Commander’s Representative on the aircraft, ensuring Army mission objectives are met. Flew sixty-three sorties in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. Also served as staff officer for mission planning and unit support when not flying.

Commander of a Headquarters Battery of a PATRIOT Air and Missile Defense Battalion with worldwide contingency missions. Responsible for training, managing, and ensuring the readiness of over 175 soldiers. Provided a combat-ready headquarters element to support higher headquarters’ mission of rapidly deploying to provide air and missile defense to critical assets. Provided staff, medical, maintenance, and other support to five firing PATRIOT batteries. Responsible for the accountability and maintenance of over 100 types of equipment worth in excess of one hundred million dollars.

Intelligence Officer for PATRIOT Air and Missile Defense Battalion. Provided Analysis and Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection information that ensured mission accomplishment. Conducted Intelligence analysis and briefings on tactical and strategic concerns, Conducted liaison with host nation and sister service intelligence and security entities Deployed to Iraq for Iraqi Freedom; deployed to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar during preparations for Iraqi Freedom.

Selected to attend the Military Intelligence Captains' Career Course (MICCC) in preparation for branch-qualifying command and staff positions in the US Army.

Logistics Officer for a strategic-level signals intelligence battalion. Supervised and coordinated logistical support for a 250 soldier unit; supervised and accounted for over 135 million dollars of equipment; executed an annual budget of 1.2 million dollars. Supervised and coordinated the actions of a five member staff section in support of unit goals and objectives. Developed comprehensive plans to support all exercises and operations; executed deployment, sustainment, and redeployment of 100 personnel and 37 tons of equipment to Kuwait.

Responsible for the leadership, training, management, and welfare of a fifteen soldier platoon consisting of 11 US Army soldiers and 4 Korean Army Augmentees (KATUSA). Directly responsible for nearly 1 million dollars worth of equipment. Planned and executed operations in support of Brigade and Division Operations, as well as combined collection operations with the ROK Army. Served as Company Ammunition and Maintenance Officer, tracked and ensured maintenance o4 34 Vehicles and 14 Electronic Warfare Systems, ensured maintenance and accountability of company’s Ammunition Basic Load.

Assistant Intelligence Officer for forward-deployed mechanized infantry battalion in the Republic of Korea. Responsible for research and analysis to support a 600 soldier unit. Developed Reconnaissance and Surveillance plans to support unit exercises and operations; assisted in developing contingency plans to support wartime operations. Conducted analysis of terrain and enemy forces. Created and presented unit briefings on tactical and strategic issues. Additional duties included serving as unit historian and information systems security officer.

Selected to attend the Military Intelligence Officer's Basic Course as preparation for leadership, staff, and analytical positions as a company grade officer in the United States Army

Selected to attend the United States Army's Officer Candidate School (OCS).

Tracked expenditures as well as equipment exchange and issue for the Army’s largest Infantry Brigade. Performed liaison functions with subordinate units. Served as augmentee soldier for exercises. Selected for Officer Candidate School, completed US Army Airborne School.

Enlistee in the United States Army. Completed training as an infantryman (Military Occupational Specialty:11B)