Eric Vanek

Experience

• 

  US Army

  Jan 2011 - Nov 2012

  3-101 Attack 3-101 Attack

  • Battalion Operations Officer

    Nov 2011 - Nov 2012

  • Battalion Executive Office

    Jan 2011 - Nov 2012
• 

  USSOCOM

  Dec 2012 - May 2016

  • Deputy Air Operations Officer

    May 2015 - May 2016

  • Joint Air Operations Officer

    Dec 2012 - Apr 2015
• 

  US Army

  Jun 2016 - Jul 2019

  • COO for all Army Special Operations Aviation including 4,000 personnel + 500 airframes executing global operations while prioritizing modernization.• Created and codified a validation program for six units, driving and measuring performance across diverse missions.• As the #1 of 24 peers, was selected to establish a Joint Aviation Command. • Commanded 377 soldiers + 37 aircraft supporting Large Scale Operations.• Supported 19 National Training Center rotations training 102k soldiers. • Deployed with Unmanned Aerial System/Grey Eagle Company that expeditiously drove ISIS out of Western Iraq.• Provided life-saving aerial evacuations across 20k+mile expanse of desert.

  • G3, Operations Officer. U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command

    Jul 2018 - Jul 2019

  • Battalion Commander

    Jun 2016 - Jun 2018
• 

  United States Institute of Peace

  Aug 2019 - Jun 2020

  Senior Fellow (Army War College)

  • Led analysis, developed policies, and implemented USIP initiatives to prevent / mitigate / resolve violent conflict.• Engaged in Track 1/1.5/2 interagency working groups to integrate DoD activities in the Middle East and Africa.• Authored “We are running out of time to pivot to the Pacific,” a DoS/DoD strategy for Philippine self-determination.

• 

  US Army

  Jun 2020 - now

  •Synchronized communications/resources for 750,000 (~75% of the Army).•Improved C-suite correspondence efficiency from 79% to 94% creating executive decision space and fostering win-win relationships.•Used research, political savvy, and detail, to fully answer Congressionals. •Fostered a positive culture characterized by high employee satisfaction. • Led a high performing, diverse organization of 2,700 Soldiers and 114 airframes valued at more than $3 Billion.• Ranked #1 of 12 units. Executed a $74 million budget to produce the most modern trained aviation unit in the Army.• Led the most successful Aviation Brigade to deploy to Europe.• Built a supportive environment benefiting soldiers, families, and the region. • Commanded headquarters operations and directed training for six brigades consisting of more than 5,100 personnel.• Successfully resourced 12 new weapons systems through the Army. • Expanded global security cooperation from 13 to 25 Allies. • Oversaw a $110 million budget to deepen US-Allied interoperability. • Traveled during COVID to foster a culture of innovation and accountability.

  • Deputy Chief of Staff & Secretary of the General Staff

    Aug 2023 - now

  • Combat Aviation Brigade Commander

    Jun 2021 - now

  • Deputy Commander. Security Force Assistance Command

    Jun 2020 - Jun 2021