Notre Dame International Security Center

Recorded: February 9, 2021

Host: Joseph Parent

Speaker: Keren Yarhi-Milo

What’s in the Box for the Biden Administration? by Notre Dame International Security Center

An interview with Lt. General Eric T. Fick USAF by Martin Heli

Summary:

Martin Heli, a Notre Dame senior, and Lt. General Eric T. Fick USAF, the Program Executive Officer for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office (Notre Dame class of ‘90) discuss the implications of international partnership in the F-35 program. Key topics are the technological advantages of fifth-generation aircraft in alliances, partner input in development, and the challenges of successful cooperation on such a complex system.

Biography:

Lt. Gen. Eric T. Fick is the Program Executive Officer for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office in Arlington, Virginia. The F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office is the Department of Defense’s agency responsible for developing, delivering and sustaining the F-35A/B/C, the next-generation strike aircraft weapon system for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, eight international partners and four current foreign military sales customers.

Lt. Gen. Fick entered the Air Force in September of 1990 after graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering. He has served as a Logistics Plans and Programs Officer, F-16 Fighting Falcon Mechanical Systems Engineer, Computational Fluid Dynamics Research Engineer, Joint System Program Office Chief of Test, Air Staff Branch Chief, Deputy Chief of the Air Force Senate Liaison Office and Director of Global Reach Programs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition. Lt. Gen. Fick has commanded at the squadron and group level and served twice as an Air Force Program Executive Officer. Additionally, he has logged more than 350 hours in the T-38 Talon, F-15 Eagle, F-16 and other military and civilian experimental aircraft.

Prior to his current assignment, Lt. Gen. Fick was the Deputy Program Executive Officer for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program.

Speaker: Lindsey O'Rourke

Host: Eugene Gholz

Recorded: November 3, 2020

Title: The Arrest of a Foreign General: Corruption, Cartels, and U.S.-Mexico Cooperation

An interview with Guillermo Trejo by Tatiana Pernetti

Summary:

In this episode of ‘Students Talk Security’, Associate Professor of Political Science and Faculty Fellow at the Kellogg Institute for International Studies, Guillermo Trejo, will describe the recent U.S. arrest of Mexico's General Salvador Cienfuegos. As an adviser to the Mexican government, Professor Trejo provides insight into corruption in Mexico and how it affects U.S.-Mexico cooperation.

Biography:

Guillermo Trejo is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame and Faculty Fellow at the Kellogg Institute for International Studies. Trejo's research focuses on political and criminal violence, social movements, human rights, and transitional justice. He is the director of the Violence and Transitional Justice Lab at the Kellogg Institute. Professor Trejo is the author of two books and more than thirty articles and book chapters for which he has received seven international awards from the American Political Science Association and the American Sociological Association. Trejo just published a book last month titled “Votes, Drugs, and Violence: The Political Logic of Criminal Wars in Mexico” which seeks to explain the outbreak of major drug wars in Mexico as the country transitioned from authoritarian rule to democracy. He is also advising me on my thesis on rule of law in Latin America.

Title: Arctic Shock: Utilizing Climate Change to Test A Theory of Resource Competition

Speaker: Jonathan Markowitz

Host: Eugene Gholz

Recorded: October 27, 2020

An Interview with Captain Brockelmeyer and LTC Trey Lachicotte by Clark Bowden andEvan Muller

Biographies:

Cody Brockelmeyer enlisted in the Marine Corps in April of 2006, and served at the Legal Services Support Section in Okinawa, Japan where he served as NCOIC of the Pacific Regional Defense Counsel’s office.

From 2009 to 2013, he served as Legal Management Chief for the Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps. During this time, Sergeant Brockelmeyer deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and completed his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland University College.

In 2013, Staff Sergeant Brockelmeyer was accepted to the Enlisted Commissioning Program, attended OCS, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He was designated as a supply and logistics officer, he was assigned to Second Battalion, Seventh Marines in Twentynine Palms, CA. From 2014-2016, he deployed twice to the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, and completed his Master of Business Administration degree from Northwest Christian University.

In 2017, Captain Brockelmeyer was promoted to his current rank, and was assigned to his present duties as Marine Officer Instructor for the NROTC unit, University of Notre Dame. He currently teaches Fundamentals of Maneuver Warfare and Evolution of Warfare, and has completed a Doctor of Business Administration degree from Northcentral University.

Capt. Brockelmeyer primarily works with the senior MIDN leadership, providing guidance to the BCO, BXO, and BOPS. Additionally, he teaches both the Fundamentals of Maneuver Warfare and the Evolution of Warfare classes.

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LTC Trey Lachicotte is a 2000 graduate of the University of Tennessee, where he received two Bachelor of Science Degrees in Accounting and Finance. Upon Graduation, he received a commission in the Infantry.

His civilian education also includes a Master of Art in Global and International Studies from the University of Kansas, as well as, a Master of Military Art and Science in Theater Operations from the US Army Command and General Staff College.

LTC Lachicotte has served in the United States Army for 20 years as an officer in the Infantry and Special Forces branches.

An Interview with Lt. Austin Chung by Benjamin Erhardt

Summary:

Notre Dame sophomore Benjamin Erhardt sits down with his former professor and current Notre Dame Naval ROTC instructor, Lt. Austin Chung, USN, to discuss a variety of topics centered on the theme of bolstering American security while promoting unity. Their discussions include: the importance of international alliances in promoting American security and foreign policy interests abroad, Lt. Chung's own experiences from his time serving in the Navy while based in Japan, and -- in light of the upcoming 2020 elections -- civil discourse in the military and how it helps promote unity and constant maintenance of American security.

Biography:

Lt. Austin Chung graduated from Villanova University in 2013 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. He received a commission through the Villanova University Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps as a Surface Warfare Officer Nuclear Option and reported to his first tour onboard USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) stationed in San Diego, CA. While serving onboard USS Chancellorsville, he received his Officer of the Deck, Surface Warfare Coordinator, and Surface Warfare Officer qualifications. He then reported to USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) based in Yokosuka, Japan where he served as the Reactor Controls Division Officer and deputy to the commands Reactor Training Assistant. While stationed with Forward Deployed Naval Forces Japan, he completed four Western Pacific Patrols and two maintenance availabilities, received his Propulsion Plant Watch Officer, Engineering Officer of the Watch and Nuclear Engineer Officer qualifications, and was recognized as the 2017 Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific Propulsion Plant Watch Officer of the Year. At Notre Dame, Lt. Chung works with senior-year students in Notre Dame's Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program. In this role, he prepares the seniors to enter the fleet as well as teaching the Naval Operations class.

Title: The Sources of Forced Displacement

Speaker: Lise Howard and Filip Savatic

Host: Eugene Gholz

Recorded: October 13, 2020

An Interview with Erin Connolly by Kenzie Phillips

Summary:

A discussion with a rising national security professional about nuclear policy and women in security.

Biography:

Erin Connolly is the associate program director for Girl Security and a fellow at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, where she previously worked as a research assistant.

Erin has written on topics including nuclear terrorism, Iran, North Korea, and next-generation engagement. Erin is currently pursuing a Masters in global affairs and international peace studies at The University of Notre Dame's Keough School of Global Affairs and Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies. As part of this program, Erin is working with King's College London Center for Science and Security Studies July - December 2020 where she is focusing on nuclear arms control.