The ICAF Honors Banquet celebrates the achievements of selected
military, government civilians, and industry leaders who have significantly
contributed to our Nation’s defense and national security.
This will be an opportunity for ICAF alumni, students, faculty,
and staff; prominent members from industry and education; and other
distinguished guests to reflect on the ICAF Experience!
The ICAF Honors Banquet was first conceived as a formal event
to mark ICAF’s 80th anniversary year. The first ICAF Awards
Banquet was held on February 27, 2004, a few days after ICAF’s
80th birthday. ICAF was established on February 25, 1924 as the
Army Industrial College. At the time of its establishment, no
other nation in the world had such an institution. In 1946, the
name of the College changed to the Industrial College of the Armed
Forces (ICAF).
The school honored one of ICAF’s most distinguished graduates,
General John Vessey, Jr., former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff. General Richard B. Myers, then Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff hosted the Banquet. Lieutenant General Michael
B. Dunn, President, National Defense University, conferred an
honorary doctorate degree upon General Vessey. All guests received
ICAF-etched wine glasses as mementos of the occasion.
The second annual ICAF Awards Banquet was held on January 28,
2005. This event honored Congressman Ike Skelton, Ranking Minority
Member of the House Armed Services Committee. Major General Frances
C. Wilson, Commandant of ICAF and Major General James McInerny,
previous ICAF Commandant, joined in giving the title of “Honorary
Commandant” to Ike Skelton. They presented him with an ICAF
Tiger trophy and sports jacket. Skelton, more than any other member
of Congress, has had close ties to ICAF and a direct influence
on Joint Professional Military Education and the National Defense
University. Copies of Mr. Skelton’s book, Whispers of
Warriors: Essays on the New Joint Era, were given to Banquet
attendees. All guests also received ICAF-etched wine glasses as
mementos of the occasion.
History continues to be a theme in selecting honorees. The third annual ICAF Awards Banquet
was held on February 24, 2006. When the college was founded, it was based on the nation’s
need “to keep in touch with industry.” Rapidly changing
military and industrial needs have driven ICAF’s curriculum
to emphasize its links to industry. Two premiere programs are
the Industry Study Program and the Industry Fellows Program. Both
are unique to ICAF. The Industry Study Program is a highlight
of the curriculum. Students use the latest industry analysis techniques
to study 20 different industry areas that impact our national
security. The Industry Fellows Program brings a perspective to
the curriculum that enhances classroom discussion and promotes
networking. (Please see more about these programs below.)
The 2006 honoree Chet Huber, who graduated in 1995, and was the first industry fellow,
ICAF's Industry Fellows program has expanded and matriculated many talented industry person's
from the following companies:
Boeing
Computer Sciences Corp
DaimlerChrysler
EADS
General Dynamics
General Motors
Grumman
GTE Government Systems
Hughes Aircraft
IBM
KPMG
L-3 Communications
Lockheed Martin
McDonnell Douglas
Northrop
Raytheon
SAIC
Sikorsky Aircraft
TRW
Feedback
from these graduates and their sponsoring companies confirms that
all involved have found the educational experience immensely valuable.
Indeed, many ICAF industry Fellow graduates have risen to senior
executive positions with their firms. The Class of 2006 will add
10 more Industry Fellows and additional companies to this notable
list.
The annual ICAF Awards Banquet is an opportunity for ICAF alumni
to revive acquaintances, network, and keep the “ICAF Experience”
a part of their lives. ICAF faculty and current students are encouraged
to participate. In the future, the Industrial College intends
to continue these annual banquets and to continue to celebrate
its links with military, government, and industry.