Event Recap – April 15, 2024

On Tuesday, April 9th members Jermon Bafaty and Justin Freeh from BENS joined the Strategic Leaders International Course (SLIC), a 4-week program by USSOCOM for emerging leaders from allied nations. Alongside discussions on U.S. leadership and strategy, our delegation highlighted BENS’ mission, entrepreneurship, and the importance of public-private partnerships in U.S. national security.

The Illinois headquarters of Darley, one of the oldest family-owned businesses in Chicago specializing in first responders, served as the setting for BENS. General Tim Ray received a personal tour of the facility from Paul Darley, CEO of Darley and a longstanding member of BENS, who demonstrated how his effective operations carry out orders all across the world.

On Tuesday, BENS Southeast partnered with ATLVets and the Atlanta History Center to host multiple events featuring ADM James Stavridis, USN (Ret.), for the launch of his second novel in his trilogy, 2054. ADM Stavridis discussed topics from his previous book (2034) and his latest (2054), including peer-on-peer warfare, cyber warfare, AI, the division of the US, and “the singularity”, along with potential avenues for positive change in these areas.

NYC Members recently joined the US Coast Guard Sector NY, spending time aboard a 45-RBM boat in New York Harbor and engaging with command leadership at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island. Discussions ranged from cybersecurity threats to marine traffic and the intricacies of patrolling offshore wind farms. Special thanks to Capt. Zeita Merchant, Capt. Jonathan Andrechik, and their team for an informative day.