The Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School (NAVSCIATTS), located at Stennis Space Center, hosted Mr. Ivory Reinert during the security cooperation command’s Strategic Leader’s International Course (SLIC), June 6
 
He discussed the operational impacts of weather and how military forces must consider the climate to prepare for different environments.
 
The strategic leaders from partner nations are introduced to methods and processes for design thinking, systems thinking, and public interest communications and receive instructions from professionals who currently use these methodologies and processes in the public and private sectors.
 
"We are incredibly grateful for the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command’s support to the Strategic Leaders International Course.” said U.S. Navy Capt. Robert Gusentine (ret.), course director for SLIC. “Hearing from real experts, like Mr. Reinert, on climate, is critical to engaging the broad spectrum of systems of which these rising leaders must remain mindful.”
 
Reinert spoke to 19 officers from six partner nations on how the changing climate has major impacts for their area of responsibility (AOR).
 
“The opportunity to discuss the significance of weather in all aspects of military planning and operations was a privilege.” said Mr. Ivory Reinert, 2^nd-4^th-6^th Fleet Representative for CNMOC.  “We looked back at how the climate has changed over the years and focused on what is occurring today. The leaders were introduced to the potential operational impacts they may face due to a changing climate and what types of decisions may be required of them. To equip the leaders with resources to gain an advantage in any environment, we discussed the vast array of capabilities of our civilians and sailors at the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command and subordinate commands.”
 
Gusentine, who spent most of his military career as a Navy SEAL, added, “Climate, weather, and our natural environment are critical agents in the global ecosystem in which militaries operate, and societies endeavor. It is therefore imperative, that strategic leaders in any capacity, be familiar with the scientific community’s most nascent understanding of our climate - how it all works and how it might impact strategic design, operational planning, and tactical action.”
 
Reinert shared with the leaders how the global climate must be an operational consideration. He discussed the primary physical effects in AORs pertinent to the student’s countries (sea level rise, temperature extremes, weather patterns, etc.) and general implications as resources become more strained due to the changes in the climate.
 
Reinert added, “It has been an honor to represent my command and speak to this prestigious and passionate group of leaders. This was my third time speaking on climate to SLIC and the participants are always eager to learn and ask many questions. I appreciate my command’s support of this worthwhile engagement and know that these leaders have an operational advantage through their understanding of our climate.”
 
The course tenet – Understand, Design, Lead - aligns comfortably within prominent philosophical traditions of human reasoning (Aristotle, Kant) yet offers non-linear ways of thinking and introduces partner-nation leaders to the freshest, most relevant ideas and methodologies for understanding and shaping the human experience in a complex and dynamic world
 
SLIC is a four-week in-resident course designed to build partner capacity by offering senior military leaders (05-07 level) and senior government officials of partner nations new perspectives, methodologies, and opportunities for thinking strategically and for designing strategies that successfully address complex challenges. Countries participating in the current course represent the Bahamas, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guyana, and Panama.
 
Primary Objectives of the Strategic Leaders International Course
Offer rising leaders from partner nations:
(1) Systemic view of a complex world 
(2) An appreciation for the value of diversity and 
(3) A mindset and a set of tools for valuing and fostering cooperation
 
NAVSCIATTS is a security cooperation schoolhouse operating under United States Special Operations Command in support of foreign security assistance and geographic combatant commanders' theater security cooperation priorities.
 
U.S. Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command directs and oversees more than 2,500 globally-distributed military and civilian personnel who collect, process and exploit environmental information to assist Fleet and Joint Commanders in all warfare areas to make better decisions, based on assured environmental information, faster than the adversary.
 
For more information about Naval Oceanography, contact cnmoc_stns_paoweb@.navy.mil or 228-688-4147. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram (Naval Oceanography), Twitter (@NavyOceans), and LinkedIn.