Four instructors from the Information Operations Qualification Course received the Information Professionals Association Order of Hermes in a surprise ceremony Nov. 15 in Fort Leavenworth’s DePuy Auditorium.



Former Force Modernization Proponent Center Director and IPA Executive Director Chip Bircher presented the Silver Order of Hermes to Calvin DeWitt, Robert Foley and Philip Martin in front faculty and students attending the fall IOQC graduation. Bircher also presented the IPA’s Rising Star Award to Maj. Andrew Thomas.
The IPA is a partnership of information professionals focused on the study, advancement and application of information-related activities and technologies to achieve specific, predictable effects. The Order of Hermes, named for the messenger god in Greek mythology, is IPA’s honorary award recognizing individuals for exceptional service and contributions in the field of cognitive security. Individuals from military, government, civilian or private sector positions (including academia, international or non-governmental organizations) are eligible for the award. Bircher said the four IOQC instructors are the IPA’s first awardees from Fort Leavenworth.
The Order of Hermes has three recognition levels: Gold, Silver and Rising Star. According to the IPA’s website, the Silver Order of Hermes recognizes “Those individuals who have demonstrated the highest standards of integrity and moral character; displayed an outstanding degree of professional competence; contributed to bettering cognitive security knowledge and practice; and contributed to the promotion of cognitive security in ways that stand out in the eyes of the recipient’s seniors, subordinates and peers alike.”
The IPA’s Rising Star Award recognizes the next generation of thought and operational leaders in the cognitive security field. Thomas’ “unique experience and dedication to the education of the next generation of IO leaders has left a lasting impact on the FA30 community and the cognitive security profession as a whole,” said Bircher.
The IOQC is a 12-week, resident course that consists of graduate-level education designed to produce qualified information operations and military deception operators. The course focuses on producing IO and MILDEC officers with the requisite operational skills and knowledge to prevail in a multidomain fight during large-scale combat operations with emphasis on tactics, targeting and the operational process.
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