Student of Dwight D. Eisenhower School of National Security, Lt. Col Antonio Paz, stands before an audience of students and faculty as a spokesperson of the Eisenhower Series College program. 
The Lion's Roar/Ian Fischer

National security threats, military strategy and current events were among topics discussed in a panel of Senior Officers of the United States Army in the Student Union Theater.

The panel was at 10 a.m. last Tuesday and a part of the Eisenhower Series College Program. The two officers, Lt. Col. Antonio Paz and Lt. Col. Tom Asbery, are graduate students of the Dwight D. Eisenhower School of National Security and Resource Strategy. The panelists answered questions to provide an opportunity for the civilian population to interact with the military referencing an information “gap.” 

“There are many Americans who have little contact with the military that serves them,” said Paz. 

To explain this concept, Paz said he grew up in the San Francisco bay area. In the past there was a bigger military presence there, but since his youth, the presence has declined. Because of this, he noticed misconceptions about the military coming from people in the area. According to Paz, this information gap is a concern. 

One audience member asked about Iraq taking back Mosul, a large city in northern Iraq which is under ISIS rule. According to Asbery, the United States will play an advisory role in the battle and will provide the support of eight Apache helicopters to the Iraqi military. He mentioned the importance of diplomacy in the fight. 

“We really need the diplomacy piece to take the lead and work with those Arab nations, the country of Iraq and the people who have that personal interest that’s going to be there after we leave,” said Asbery. “Sure, could military go in there and bomb the heck out of everything? You’ll win the battle and lose the war.”

Even the 2016 election made it into the discussion. One student asked what qualities make a good Commander in Chief. The two panelists were not in complete agreement.

Asbery did not agree with the President’s approach to foreign affairs and said the president should be someone who reassures allies while “scaring the hell out of our enemies.”

“I’m looking at somebody who’s going to be a little bit more unpredictable,” said Asbery. “I’m not going to say I’m totally behind Donald Trump, but he sure has a lot of people questioning what he’s going to do and what he’s capable of because he’s a man who when he says something, he’s typically going to follow through.”

Paz agreed unpredictability is good, but he would like the president to look to other solutions.

“There is the aspect of following through,” said Paz. “I’d rather they not always reach for the military easy button at first, which we’ve grown accustomed to in sixteen years.” 

Paz also said the current President’s ability to react quickly is hampered by how large the National Security Council has become.

Asbery asked the audience whether or not Congress should make the draft apply to women now that combat positions have since opened up for them. One student responded and said it should apply to women. 

In 1981, the Supreme Court found the requirement for the Selective Service Act to apply only to males constitutional because women were not allowed in combat roles. According to the majority opinion author, Justice William Rehnquist, “the existence for the existence of the combat restrictions clearly indicates the basis for Congress’ decision to exempt women from registration.”

Panelists also addressed student and faculty concerns about national security threats from Russia, China and ISIS throughout the discussion. 

According to Department of History and Political Sciences Professor Harry Laver, the discussion benefited students because they could learn about military issues from the perspective of professionals in the field and were able to see these professionals in person. 

According to the website, The Dwight D. Eisenhower School of National Security and Resource Strategy is the school that prepares military and civilian leaders for senior level and staff positions.