The Foreign Service Journal, October 2008

proach, as evidenced in recent public statements by Sec. Rice, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negro- ponte. Political advisers and other State officers serving in defense organi- zations have an important responsibil- ity to bring the two institutions closer together, bridge misperceptions, re- solve misunderstandings and create a more solid basis for increased effec- tiveness and teamwork in the conduct of military operations and the pursuit of common policy objectives. This is a tall order, but well worth the effort required. To the degree the department is successful in obtaining greater re- sources for the political-military func- tion, there will be added opportuni- ties to improve this vital collaboration. With the proper vision, commitment and tools to do the job, the Foreign Service can make an expanded POLAD system work, both at the pol- icy level and in the field. n John D. Finney is political adviser to the chief of the National Guard Bu- reau. Before he retired from the Foreign Service in 2004, he had served with the CORDS program in Vietnam, as a POLAD to several U.S. military commands and to a service chief, and as a State exchange officer in the Pentagon. His last assignment was as head of the Political Advisers’ Office in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs. Alphonse F. La Porta served as political adviser to the commander of NATO forces in Southern Europe from 2000 to 2003, when he retired from the Foreign Service. Prior to that, he was ambassador to Mongolia and served extensively in East Asia. The authors’ article, “Integrating National Security Strategy at the Operational Level: The Role of State Department Political Advisers,” will be published soon in a new book by the U.S. Army War College Institute of Strategic Studies. O C T O B E R 2 0 0 8 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 19 F S K N O W - H O W u The Foreign Service can make an expanded POLAD system work.