Task & Purpose Task & Purpose

Shawn VanDiver

Shawn VanDiver is a 12-year Navy veteran, faculty at three universities, and serves on several boards focused on human trafficking, national and international security, and emergency management. He attended National University and the Naval Postgraduate School possessing degrees and certificates in Domestic Security Management, Homeland Security and Safety Engineering, and Information Systems Operations. He enjoys cooking, SCUBA diving, and spending time with his 6-year-old aspiring pirate/ninja turtle. He is the Co-Director of the Truman National Security Project San Diego Chapter.

Recent articles from Shawn VanDiver

hawaii false missile alert
Analysis
What You Should Know About Hawaii’s Ballistic Missile False Alarm, According To A Former Navy Emergency Manager
Operations Specialist Seaman Joshua Battaglia, from Brentwood NY., takes track information to report to the warfare commander aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), May, 27, 2014.
Community
Here’s How Navy Crews Watch For (And Respond To) Collisions At Sea
A Tomahawk Land Attack Missile is launched from the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) during Valiant Shield 2016.
Gear
Here’s How The Navy’s Tomahawk Missiles Are Supposed To Work
chelsea manningj
Community
A Veteran’s Complicated Reaction To Chelsea Manning’s Freedom
President Barack Obama’s decision to commute the sentence of Chelsea Manning elicits strong reactions from veterans.
1024px-uss_hopper_ddg_70_launches_a_standard_missile-3
News
How A US Destroyer Responds When Someone Shoots At It
People get excited, but the action remains calm and professional.
Gary Johnson, right, and his vice presidential candidate, William Weld, at the first Libertarian Party political rally of the 2016 campaign season, University of Nevada, Aug. 5, 2016.
Community
Slacktivism Won’t Get Gary Johnson Onto The Debate Stage
There are too many people complaining about the status quo and not taking action to make a difference.
F-16 Fighting Falcons with the U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds perform a 5-ship formation after refueling from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 92nd Air Refueling Wing over Glacier National Park, Montana, Sept. 1, 2014.
Leadership
Thunderbirds Commander’s New Book Is More Of What We Already Know
Retired Air Force Col. JV Venable’s new book “Breaking the Trust Barrier” is a good but familiar read.
Sailors man the rails of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) while departing Yokosuka, Japan. George Washington and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 will provide a combat-ready force that will protect and defend the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Asia-Pacific region.
News
Politicians Aren’t Talking About Climate Change, But Veterans Can Fix That
Climate change and clean energy are national security issues that veterans can thrust into the current political debate.
A row of different AR-15 style rifles are displayed for sale at the Firing-Line indoor range and gun shop in Aurora, Colorado, July 26, 2012.
Should Assault Weapons Be Banned In The United States?
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Strait of Hormuz
News
A Veteran’s Reaction To The Iran Deal
In the case of the Iran Deal, diplomacy has averted war and saved lives. Veterans know exactly what that means.