The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council hosted Brigadier General (BG) Joseph Rank, Senior Defense Official/Defense Attaché to the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi, for a private, closed-door policy luncheon and discussion on Wednesday afternoon. The luncheon provided defense and security private sector stakeholders with an opportunity to hear from BG Rank on the current contours in the U.S.-U.A.E. defense relationship. The event featured a brief introduction by U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council President, Danny Sebright, who highlighted the importance of the bilateral defense relationship.
Following Sebright’s introduction and discussion with industry, BG Rank began his conversation to priorities for the U.S. Defense mission in the U.A.E. by giving a brief overview of the current state of the U.S.-U.A.E. defense relationship, post the Camp David Summit. He went on to discuss commercial opportunities presented by Dubai Airshow 2015.
Brigadier General Joseph Rank discusses U.S.-U.A.E. defense relationship with industry Leaders
“I look forward to continuing to work with my American colleagues and Emirati counterparts to further cultivate the U.S.-U.A.E. defense relationship,” said General Rank. “The U.A.E. presents an exciting opportunity for both countries’ defense industries to collaborate on the forefront of innovation, working together to combat the shared threats we face in the region.”
Before closing his remarks, BG Rank provided further insight on regional developments in the Gulf and the broader Middle East and their effect on the GCC’s defense relationship with the United States.
Following the remarks, Sebright opened the floor to a Q&A session, during which time stakeholders in the room were given the opportunity to engage BG Rank on the many challenges facing U.S. businesses in the Gulf, including the changing dynamics for U.S. Business pending removal of sanctions on Iran, the expansion of ISIS in the region, and instability in Yemen.
For your information, Brigadier General Rank’s biography and credentials can be found below.
—
Brigadier General Joseph W. Rank
Senior Defense Official
Defense Attaché
U.S. Embassy, Abu Dhabi
SOURCE OF COMMISSIONED SERVICE ROTC
EDUCATIONAL DEGREES
Wheaton College – BA – Ancient Languages
Wheaton College – MA – Biblical Studies
University of Virginia-Charlottesville – MA – Islamic Studies
National Defense University – MS – National Security Strategy
MILITARY SCHOOLS ATTENDED
Military Intelligence Officer Basic and Advanced Courses
United States Army Command and General Staff College
National War College
FOREIGN LANGUAGE(S) Arabic-Modern ; Hebrew ; Arabic-Egyptian
PROMOTIONS DATE OF APPOINTMENT
2LT 27 May 87
1LT 13 Nov 89
CPT 1 Jun 92
MAJ 1 Dec 98
LTC 2 Oct 04
COL 1 Mar 10
BG Frocked
FROM TO ASSIGNMENT
Feb 14 Dec 14 Student, Arabic Language Training, Defense Intelligence Agency, Washington DC
Aug 11 Feb 14 Senior Defense Official/Defense Attaché, Defense Intelligence Agency, Jordan
Aug 10 Aug 11 Senior Defense Official/Defense Attaché, Defense Intelligence Agency, Lebanon
Aug 09 Jun 10 Student, National War College, Fort McNair, Washington, DC
Aug 06 Aug 09 Planner, later Chief, Political-Military Plans Branch, Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate, J-5,
Joint Staff, Washington, DC
Jan 05 Aug 06 Defense and Army Attaché, Defense Intelligence Agency, Republic of Yemen
Jan 02 Jan 05 Deputy Chief, All Source Assessments Division – Iraq, Defense Intelligence Agency,
Washington, DC
Sep 00 Jan 02 Student, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
Jan 99 Aug 00 Army Strategist/Regional Staff Officer, Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of the Army
(International Affairs), Washington, DC
Jan 98 Jan 99 Foreign Area Officer, Defense Attaché Office, Defense Intelligence Agency, Egypt
Aug 96 Jan 98 Student, Arabic Language Training, Defense Language Institute-Washington Office,
Washington DC
Aug 95 Aug 96 Commander, A Company, 741st Military Intelligence Battalion, 704th Military Intelligence
Brigade, Fort Meade, Maryland
Apr 94 Aug 95 Operations Officer, Headquarters Operations Company, 742d Military Intelligence Battalion,
704th Military Intelligence Brigade, Fort Meade, Maryland
Nov 93 Apr 94 Student, Military Intelligence Officer Advanced Course, Fort Huachuca, Arizona
Oct 92 Oct 93 Student, Hebrew Basic Course, Defense Language Institute, Presidio of Monterey, California
Mar 92 Dec 94 Force Readiness Officer, United States Army Personnel Command, Alexandria, Virginia
Oct 89 Jun 91 Platoon Leader, B Company, later S-4, 101st Military Intelligence Battalion, 1st Infantry
Division, Fort Riley, Kansas and OPERATION DESERT STORM, Saudi Arabia
Jul 88 Oct 89 Tactical Intelligence Officer, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS DATE GRADE
Senior Defense Official/Defense Attaché, Defense Intelligence Agency, Jordan Aug 11 – Feb 14 Colonel
Senior Defense Official/Defense Attaché, Defense Intelligence Agency, Lebanon Aug 10 – Aug 11 Colonel
Planner, later Chief, Political-Military Plans Branch, Strategic Plans Aug 06 – Aug 09 Lieutenant
and Policy Directorate, J-5, Joint Staff, Washington, DC Colonel/Colonel
Defense and Army Attaché, Defense Intelligence Agency, Republic of Yemen Jan 05 – Aug 06 Lieutenant Colonel
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS DATE GRADE
S-4, 101st Military Intelligence Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, Jan 91 – May 91 First Lieutenant
OPERATION DESERT STORM, Saudi Arabia
US DECORATIONS AND BADGES
Defense Superior Service Medal
Bronze Star Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster)
Meritorious Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster)
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Parachutist Badge
Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
Army Staff Identification Badge
