Mark W. Deets, Maj., USMC

Sub-Saharan Africa

Email:  deets@usna.edu

Education:

• M.A. - U.S. Naval Postgraduate School
• B.S. - U.S. Naval Academy

Academic and Professional Qualifications:

U.S. Defense & Marine Attaché to Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, & Cape Verde, 2005-2007

U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Foreign Area Officer for Sub-Saharan Africa, 2005

M.A., National Security Affairs (African Studies), U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, 2004

White House Helicopter Aircraft Commander, Marine Helicopter Squadron One, 1999-2002

UH-1N Helicopter Operational Test Director, Marine Helicopter Squadron One, 1999-2001

USMC Amphibious Warfare School, Quantico, Virginia, 1999

UH-1N Helicopter Weapons & Tactics Instructor, 1996

B.S., U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, History, 1990

Works in Progress: Chapters and Referred Articles

"Bitter Roots: The Obstacles to Conflict Resolution in Senegal's Casamance Region," a chapter in an edited books by Dr. Helen Purkitt, et. al, U.S. Naval Academy, anticipated completion late 2008

"U.S. Military Intervention in West Africa, 2030," A paper with Dr. Williamson Murray, Institute for Defense Analysis, Class of 1957 Distinguished Chair in Naval History, U.S. Naval Academy, anticipated completion late 2008

"Oceans Apart Brought Together," for the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Magazine, Shipmate, anticipated completion Summer 2008

Presentations:

"Muslim Brotherhoods in Senegal," HH367A Islam in Africa, U.S. Naval Academy, October 2007 (POC Dr. Thomas Burgess)

"U.S. Military Operations in West Africa," USMC Command & Staff College, Quantico, Virginia, November 2007

"A Defense Attaché in Senegal," FF302 French Civilizations, U.S. Naval Academy, February 2008, given in French (POC Dr. Audrey Gaquin)

"An Introduction to Senegalese Politics," FP365 African Politics, U.S. Naval Academy, March 2008 (POC Dr. Helen Purkitt)

"AFRICOM: The Road of Good Intentions," Africa Forum, U.S. Naval Academy, April 2008

Research Languages:

English (fluent, oral and written)

French (fluent, oral and written)

Portuguese (basic, oral and written)

Spanish (basic, oral and written)

Amharic (basic, oral)

Wolof (basic, oral)

Professional Associations:

Marine Corps Association, 2001-Present

Faculty Member, Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies, U.S. Naval Academy, August 2007- Present

Research Supervision:

Led USNA Cultural Immersion Trip to Senegal for two midshipmen and another faculty member, March 2008

Dissertations and Theses:

M.A. Comprehensive Exam Papers: "The Dilemma of U.S. Africa Policy" and "What To Make of West Africa's Civil Wars," U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, Advisors: Dr. Letitia Lawson and Dr. Anna Simons, December 2003

Research Interests:

While earning his M.A., Major Deets focused on the development of professionalism in African militaries and on the growing relationships between American military forces and missionaries and other NGOs in Africa.