Courtesy Photo | Brig. Gen. Hugh Van Roosen speaks to Army Reserve soldiers in a Civil Affairs...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. — For the first time in more than 16 years, a U.S. general officer, Brig. Gen. Hugh C. Van Roosen, will report for duty with the United Nations. Van Roosen has been appointed as the Force Chief of Staff for the United Nations Mission in Liberia.
He is currently the 353rd Civil Affairs commander in Staten Island, N.Y., and the Command Executive Officer of the U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) headquartered at Fort Bragg, N.C. He is a long-time resident of the Fort Bragg area and currently lives in Southern Pines, N.C.
As a graduate of the UN’s Senior Mission Leader’s Course for top peacekeeping officials and as a Civil Affairs and Special Forces officer, Van Roosen has an extensive background of service in multinational environments.
“Civil Affairs allows the military to operate with minimal impact on the civilian populous, while allowing those civilians to conduct normal business with minimal influence on military operations,” said Van Roosen, “The nuances of that require good skill in cooperation, coordination, from all sorts of different parties; military, civilian, non-governmental and international.”
Currently assigned as commander of the 353rd Civil Affairs Command, an Africa-oriented unit, Van Roosen is uniquely suited to fill a critical leadership position as Chief of Staff of UNMIL. Van Roosen will turn over command of the 352nd on June 24, 2012 in a ceremony at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island, N.Y.
UNMIL’s mission is to help with elections, enable the peaceful return of democracy and civil institutions, protect civilians, and deter sexual and gender-based violence.
“When I first learned as a kid what the U.N. was, I always felt it would be an incredible opportunity to work for the U.N. and now that I have this opportunity, I couldn’t be more pleased,” said Van Roosen. “It’s the concept of the UN that is so great- although there are challenges and difficulties, the underlying concept is truly the future for our planet.”
Van Roosen will be the third highest ranking officer in a U.N. mission that currently numbers 9,000 troops and police from 53 nations, including nine U.S. officers. He is the first U.S. general or flag officer to serve in a senior blue-helmet position since 1996.
Van Roosen feels that running a large staff on a daily basis and ensuring the needs of a diverse staff are met will be a good challenge, but not one he hasn’t done before, said Van Roosen.
“I have been a chief of staff before in an organization that was similar in size to UNMIL, but this role is significantly different,” said Van Roosen. “With 40 different nations, militaries, cultures, languages, and skills scattered over a large geographic area, I look forward to the complex challenges to operating on a day to day basis.”
Van Roosen is committed to continuing the mission of peacekeeping.
“The real issue for UNMIL is to ensure that peace is kept in Liberia. There have been several periods of instability for Liberia in the past, but they have had a decade of peace and stability now with two democratic elections under their belt,” said Van Roosen. “They have clearly done a good job with managing what can be a difficult transition. Our goal is to aid in that transition and secure the future of Liberia.”
For a decade, the U.S. troop commitments have been dominated by wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. With the drawdown of forces in Afghanistan and the end of the war in Iraq, the U.S. is better able to support challenging U.N. missions around the world.
“The personal challenge for me is going to be working effectively with others from other countries, and to get the mission done,” said Van Roosen. “The opportunity to work with soldiers from other countries is always exciting.“
This rare opportunity will also allow Van Roosen, already a war tested veteran flag officer, the chance to refine and expand his skills as a civil affairs officer. This new found knowledge, he hopes, will have a positive impact on future civil affairs doctrine.
“I look forward to bringing back skills to share with the civil affairs community,” said Van Roosen, “and I am delighted to show the Liberian people that a U.S. Flag Officer is proud to serve the United Nations in their country.”
| Date Taken: | 05.22.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 05.23.2012 21:31 |
| Story ID: | 88899 |
| Location: | FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 1,808 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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