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FEATURED SPEAKERS


BGen Robert B. Sofge, Jr.

Brigadier General Sofge holds a Political Science degree from the U.S. Naval Academy, a Master of Business Administration from Touro University, a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, and completed Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program. Brigadier General Sofge has more than 2,100 flight hours, primarily in the AV-8B Harrier. His personal decorations include two Legion of Merit Medals, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, five Meritorious Service Medals, seven Air Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.


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REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Everyone must register before arriving for the event

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Colonel Matthew Bogdanos

Colonel Bogdanos is a homicide prosecutor for the New York County District Attorney’s Office.  A former amateur middleweight boxer who joined the U.S. Marine Corps at 19, he remained in the reserves after leaving active duty in 1988 to join the D.A.’s Office. He led a counter-narcotics operation on the Mexican border and served in Desert Storm, South Korea, Lithuania, Guyana, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kosovo. He holds a classics degree from Bucknell University; a master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the Army War College; and a law degree, a master’s degree in Classics, and a Recognition of Achievement in International Law from Columbia University.


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PRESENTER INFORMATION

What you need to know before you arrive

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INTER {CULTURAL} OPERABILITY

The Symposium provides a platform for academic exchange on topics specific to culture and language education in the military. This year, AFCLC will be addressing/exploring the theme of "Inter {cultural} operability".

The theme is pulled in part from the 2018 National Defense Strategy. The document focuses on interoperability, especially when it directs us to "strengthen alliances and attract new partners".

Interoperability, in the military context, usually brings to mind the technical and procedural means for cooperating with joint and coalition partners. Cultural knowledge and skills are also an essential element of interoperability, yet they are often not emphasized in military planning. Military personnel regularly face hurdles of a cultural nature when coordinating efforts at tactical, operational and strategic levels. Therefore, this year's AU LREC Symposium asks participants to focus on how culture, regional expertise, and language are at the heart of interoperability.

So, how can we enable inter {cultural} operability within Airmen?  Presentations at this year's Symposium might address the following questions:


How do effective communication skills reinforce partnerships and defuse tensions? 


What can we learn from our historical alliances? 
 

What are our regional partners doing well, and how might we apply their lessons learned? 
 

How is linguistic, regional and cultural knowledge integral to key areas of PME, such as leadership, strategy, planning, and international relations? 
 

How can the same knowledge be integrated into skill sets used during exercises and operations? 


These are only some of the ways that inter {cultural} operability may be highlighted at the 2019 AU LREC Symposium.

551 E. Maxwell Blvd, Bldg 500, Maxwell AFB, AL 36112

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 2019 Flyer

 

The final program will be available for download in early March 2019.

 2019 Program

Please take a look at programs from our previous Symposia.

 2018 Program

 2017 Program

 2016 Program

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Is the AFCLC funding this temporary duty (TDY) to attend the Symposium?

No. The TDY is unit funded unless you are a Keynote Speaker or selected as a Language Enabled Airman Program (LEAP) Panel member. LEAP Panel members will be notified of selection in February.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  When is the last day to register for the Symposium?
  • If you are a non-U.S. citizen and need to obtain a base pass, you must register no later than Feb. 15, 2019.
  • If you are a U.S. citizen but do not have a valid military, DoD civilian, or DoD contractor’s I.D. then you will need a base pass, and you must register no later than Mar. 1, 2019.
  • If you are a DoD-affiliated attendee (if you have a base pass and base access), you must register no later than Mar. 12, 2019.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What is the schedule for the Symposium?
  • The schedule is not yet finalized, but check-in will begin at 0700 Hours (7 A.M).on Mar. 27, 2019.
  • The kickoff session will begin at 0800 Hours (8 A.M.) on Mar. 27, 2019.
  • The Symposium will conclude at 1330 Hours (1:30 P.M.) on Mar. 29, 2019.
  • Our time zone is Central Standard Time.
Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Do I still need to register if I am a presenter and/or if my proposal topic was accepted?

Yes. You must register to present at the Symposium.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What is the final date to submit a proposal, and when will I be notified if mine is accepted?

Jan. 15, 2019 is the deadline for proposal submissions. You will be notified of the status of your proposal (accepted or denied) no later than Jan. 22, 2019.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What is the Uniform of the Day (UOD) for military personnel?

The UOD is the Airman Battle Uniform (ABU), the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP), Flight Suit, or service equivalent. Civilian equivalent is business casual.

Most presenters choose to be in service dress or business formal for civilians, but that is optional.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Are snacks provided during the Symposium?

Yes. A “landing fee” of $20 will be collected from each participant to cover drinks and snacks during the Symposium. This will also cover light foods and drinks served at the social event held the first night of the Symposium.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Can I pay the landing fee in advance?

No. We regret we cannot accept checks or credit card payments. Please bring $20 in cash to be collected when you check in or register on-site. 

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What is the policy on non-attribution and academic freedom for the Symposium?

Air University Non-Attribution Policy

All Symposium participants must adhere to academic freedom and non-attribution policies as described in Air University Instruction 36-2608, Academic Freedom. Presentations may include candid lectures and articles from senior U.S. Government leaders and the civilian sector. These presenters consent to distribute their presentations because they are assured their comments will be shared only among participants and faculty. Participants must respect and protect the confidentiality of all speakers’ presentations. Participants are not allowed to attribute any materials from the Symposium to persons other than the speaker / author without permission from that individual.

Similarly, participants shall respect the contributions of other participants who participate in Symposium sessions.

Explanatory notes on AU’s academic freedom policy:

1. Academic freedom allows students, guest speakers, contributing authors, and participants in established classes (and Symposia) to state opinions openly and to support or challenge ideas without concern their remarks will be attributed to them.

2. Non-attribution facilitates the free expression of opinions and ideas and allows for professional disagreements within the context of an academically stimulating environment. Essentially, non-attribution means not associating specific comments, ideas, opinions, or conversations with specific individuals.

3. Although individuals may debate relevant issues, academic freedom must be tempered by good judgment to refrain from making offensive remarks, unfounded opinions, or irresponsible statements either verbally or in writing. Offensive remarks or irresponsible statements include comments disparaging any person’s race, color, national origin, ethnic group, religion, or sex. Offensive remarks or irresponsible statements – whether oral or written – will not be tolerated. Individuals who violate the academic freedom policy are subject to adverse administrative and/or disciplinary actions as described in AUI 36-2608, Academic Freedom.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Where can I find more information about the Symposium and the AFCLC and its activities?

Much more information can be found here: