By Douglas Caroll, Public Affairs Specialist

U.S. Army Reserve Capt. Holly Beard, stationed at Fort Shafter, typically has a 10-minute commute to the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) campus in Waikiki. However, it took nearly a year for her to get in its doors to attend the highly sought-after Indo-Pacific Orientation Course (IPOC).

“Not only did I hear there were more than 100 people on the waitlist for this course, I personally applied almost a year ago, and it’s taken me that long to get in,” said Beard, sitting in the shade of the 200-year-old monkeypod tree that anchors the gardens surrounding Maluhia Hall at DKI APCSS.

A civil affairs officer, Beard found IPOC 24-2 a valuable learning experience. “It’s a very fast-paced, but also relevant, orientation to the Indo-Pacific theater—not only from a Department of Defense lens, but with a strong presence from the State Department and other allies and partners.”

As a reservist, Beard said she rarely has the time to dive into such topics. “Something I really hope to take back to my team is a better understanding of the complexities associated with this theater,” she added.

Held in October 2024, IPOC 24-2 was an executive education course designed for mid-career to senior-level security practitioners to enhance their ability to engage in cooperative security efforts that advance a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The week-long program included plenaries, seminars, and guest speakers. It is held twice a year in Honolulu and abroad. The faculty, made up of civilian and military experts from around the world, offers coursework on all manner of security issues.

“I focus on economics and security in South Asia, and I’ve been teaching here for about five years,” said Professor Srini Sitaraman during a break, sipping tea under the slow fans hanging above the DKI APCSS lanai. “For those being deployed in the region with little experience, it helps them understand what is happening in the Indo-Pacific. We cover the big issues, what they should be aware of, and what they should be learning.”

“It’s an orientation course, so we provide a broad spectrum of the security challenges and opportunities in the region. As former INDOPACOM Commander Adm. Phil Davidson used to say, ‘We are looking from penguins to polar bears and from Hollywood to Bollywood,’” he added.

One of the featured sessions was an interactive plenary on Women, Peace, and Security conducted by Dr. Dee Sawyers, a former Army Medical Service Corps officer and now a gender advisor at USINDOPACOM. Her research focuses on the political, social, economic, and security dimensions to further gender equity policies.

Commodore Jonathan Lett of the Royal Navy also offered an elective on State Partnership Programs. Lett with extensive command experience and currently serving as U.S. Indo-Pacific Command J5, shared his expertise in naval warfare with the course attendees.

A bit further down the lanai, seated near one of the free hot beverage stations (also in high demand) calmly taking in the beautiful weather, sat IPOC 24-2 participant Jack Pan, a foreign service officer with the U.S. Department of State. When asked how he found his way to APCSS, a smile slowly spread across his face.
“I’d have to thank the State Department and my boss, who took this course before and recommended it,” Pan said. “It’s been tremendously helpful. I’ve met people from the UK, Australia, and New Zealand who work on the same portfolio as I do.”

“If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that no one can do this alone. It’s an incredibly complex world with complex issues that require complex solutions,” Pan said.

Luckily for Pan, all 154 IPOC 24-2 attendees earned the golden lanyard, symbolizing their DKI APCSS Fellowship, which now numbers well more than 15,000 members worldwide.

“The feedback I received was that the course was incredibly informative. We achieved our goals of educating, connecting, and empowering our Fellows,” said Capt. Erin Williams, a DKI APCSS military professor from the U.S. Coast Guard and the IPOC 24-2 course manager. “Several Fellows noted they strengthened their network in the region.”

Williams added, “The golden lanyard is globally recognized. We all speak a common language and you are now part of an ohana.”

“Certainly worth the wait,” she said.

For more on DKI APCSS courses and workshops, visit:
dkiapcss.edu/courses
dkiapcss.edu/college/workshops

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