John W Stanford
(817)-797-1608
john.stanfordiii@us.army.mil
Education
 Academic
United States Military Academy at West Point, NY
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Mathematical Studies with Honors
  • Double major in Mechanical Engineering with Honors and Mathematical Studies
  • Minor in Terrorism Studies
  • 168 total credit hours over four years
  • Cumulative QPA (?) of 3.87
  • Graduated 31 May 2008

    Military Training/Qualifications
    Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course (Class 07-08, January 2009)
    Modern Army Combatives, Level I
    Basic Officer Leader Course II (September 2008)
    Two Years of Sandhurst while at West Point (E1 Company Team)
  • 2007: Member-of-Squad, Photos
  • 2008: Squad Leader, Photos
    Air Assault Course (Class MTT 01-07, June 2007, Orders)
    Basic Airborne Course (Class 29-06, June 2006, Orders, Certificate)
    German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency (Gold)

    Standardized Testing
    GRE: 770 Verbal/790 Quantitative (24 August 2009)
    DLPT- German: 1+ Speaking/2 Reading (4 August 2009)

    Experience
     JAN 2010 - Present: Platoon Leader of 3rd PLT, D/1-508 PIR and Advisor for Arghandab District Police at FOB Lane, Zabul Province, Afghanistan
    SEP 2009 - JAN 2010: Platoon Leader of 3rd PLT, D/1-508 PIR and Advisor for 3rd Co, 2nd Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 205th Corps at Almasak, Zabul Province, Afghanistan
    APR 2009 - AUG 2009: Assistant Operations Officer in HHC/1-508 PIR at Fort Bragg, NC
    AUG 2008 - APR 2009 : Training at Fort Benning, GA
    JUN 2008 - JUL 2008 : Internship as an Intelligence Analyst with AFRICOM in Stuttgart, Germany
    Written Work
     Engineering
    Policy Options for Ammunition-Based Gun Control Strategies: This paper explores that advantages and disadvantages of three different ammunition-based gun control systems: ammunition marking, ballistic fingerprinting, and banning certain types of ammunition. Based on my research, I conclude that the most effective system is ammunition marking. This paper was written as an honors paper for my Mechanical Engineering major.

    Current Events, Security, and Geopolitics
    Case Study Comparision: Hezbollah and the FARC: This paper compares the ideologies, capabilities, areas of operations, and potential targets of Hezbollah and the FARC. I conclude that Hezbollah poses a greater security threat to the United States mainly because it is young, vibrant, and enjoys outside support from Iran, while the FARC is quickly becoming outdated and obsolete. This paper was written for my Terrorism class during my last semester at West Point.

    History
    The British Failure at Arnhem: This paper examines the failure of Operation Market Garden, the largest airborne operation of World War Two. My thesis is that the operation failed due to poor planning rather than poor execution. This paper was written for my History of the Military Art class during my last semester at West Point.
    Out of his Element: Stuart at Chancellorsville: This paper explores the success of J.E.B. Stuart in commanding Stonewall Jackson's corps at the Battle of Chancellorsville in 1862. It is interesting that he was so successful because he was a cavalry officer commanding an infantry unit. I conclude that he was successful because the skills that made him a good cavalry commander were not specific to cavalry, but applicable to all types of units. This was written for my History of the Military Art class during the fall of my fourth year at West Point
    The Causes of the Iraqi Invasion of Iran in 1980: This paper explores the reasons for Saddam Hussein's decision to invade Iran in 1980. I conclude that the main reasons were the desire for territory and hegemony, the perception that Iran was weak from the revolution, and Iranian hostility towards the Baath regime. This was written in 2007 for my Middle Eastern Warfare class.
    Personal
     Hometown: Southlake, TX
    Date of Birth: 3 March 1986

    International Travel
  • Fall 2009-Fall 2010: One year in Afghanistan
  • Summer 2008: Six weeks in Germany with trips to Holland, Italy, Croatia, Hungary, and Romania
  • Winter 2007/08: One week in Romania (Photos)
  • Summer 2007: One week in Egypt (Photos)
  • Spring 2006: One week in England
  • Spring 2005: One week in Germany