Jason Dempsey, PhD, served 22 years as an infantry officer in the United States Army. He served in leadership and staff assignments in airborne, ranger, mechanized, and air assault units. Last, he served as special assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. During his career, he deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan. His Afghanistan deployments included a year with the 10th Mountain Division in 2009 in Kunar, Wardak, and Logar provinces and a 2012-2013 deployment as an advisor to the Afghan Border Police in Paktia, Paktika, and Khost. He returned briefly in 2014 to assess the advisory mission. He has commented and written extensively on the failures of the US military to design and implement a realistic strategy that fits the needs and potential of the Afghan people. Jason earned a BS from the United States Military Academy, West Point, and holds a PhD in political science from Columbia University.