1. Important Announcements: Phase I Enlisted Retention Board Adjourns ERB Phase I results will likely be released in mid- to-late October after the Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS) reconciles the results and processes those who applied for conversion LDO/CWO applications must be postmarked no later than Oct. 1 for active-duty Sailors and Nov. 1 for Reservists. MCAST Command Contact: To provide feedback, suggest a resource or topic for future issues, contact Strategic Communication.Strategic Communication To submit an article or article idea for consideration please contact Public Affairs.Public Affairs George Mason University Hosts Roundtable on Civil Affairs: Sponsored by the Civil Affairs Association and George Mason University’s Peace Operations Policy program, MCAST Commander, CAPT Frank Hughlett participated in a panel discussion on the future of Civil Affairs. Other panel topics included “Planned Civil Affairs Futures,” and Civil Affairs Legislative, Policy and Doctrinal Changes.” Read More… Read More… MCAST Expeditionary Warfare Endurance Course. MCAST Expeditionary Warfare Endurance Course. Once a month, MCAST goes down to the beach and conducts the Expeditionary Warfare Endurance course. Here is a short, 60 second video, of what it is like. Naval Forces Europe-Africa Officer Meets with Mozambique’s Diplomatic and Military Leadership. Naval Forces Europe-Africa Officer Meets with Mozambique’s Diplomatic and Military Leadership. Rear Adm. Kenneth Norton, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategy, Resources and Plans with Leslie V. Rowe, U.S. Ambassador to Mozambique met with Filipe Jacinto Nyussi, Mozambique’s Defense Minister to discuss regional maritime issues.. HSV Swift kicks off training in The GambiaHSV Swift kicks off training in The Gambia. As part of Africa Partnership Station, MCAST’s Security Force’s training teams aboard HSV Swift begin training in Gambia Managing Conflict, Inspiring Hope. Managing Conflict, Inspiring Hope. This article in the Journal of International Peace Operations explores the unique niche that the United States Institute of Peace holds in addressing conflict around the world. Importance of the United States Peace Institute. Importance of the United States Peace Institute. From the Congressional Blog, “The Hill,” this post explains why the United Peace Institute’s funding should continue at current levels. Quick Links: MCAST Official Website MCAST Facebook Page MCAST DVIDS Page NECC Official Website NECC Facebook Page US AFRICOM Official Website US CENTCOM Official Website Media Clips: CHINFO News Clips Rhumb Lines Navy News Service Early Bird Online Resources: Civil Military Fusion Center Provides up-to-date information and analysis to “facilitate information sharing between civilian and military actors during natural and man-made crisis situations, in order to enhance their sense of shared situational awareness." “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” Eleanor Roosevelt DISCLAIMER: Unless otherwise cited, all imagery, information and stories are released by the U.S. Navy MCAST Command Public Affairs Office. Links to sources and articles outside MCAST Command are public domain and provided as professional resources. Links are not intended as advertisement, sponsorship, or endorsement of any business, publication, private institution or enterprise. On the Front Line of Maritime Security MCAST NEWSLETTER September-October 2011 MCAST Headlines Maritime Civil Affairs Security Force Assistance United States Peace Institute AFRICOM Commander Discusses African Security with Defense Writers. AFRICOM Commander Discusses African Security with Defense Writers. The commander of U.S. Africa Command told journalists that in his travels through Africa he is guided by two main principles: A safe, stable, and secure Africa is the best interest of Africans as well as the United States; and that Africans are best able to address their own security issues.