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The current U.S. national security strategy characterizes China as a strategic competitor that is “attempting to erode American security and prosperity.” Never has it been more important for the U.S. to strengthen relationships with allies that will aid the U.S. in deterring such an adversary. Since the beginning of WWII, the U.S. has recognized that its security and prosperity are closely linked with the security of its allies around the world. Deterring China’s intimidation, coercion, and attacks on other countries to gain global influence is at the top of U.S. Foreign Policy priorities. However, if deterrence is to work, the U.S. must rebuild credibility with its allies and revive its understanding of extended deterrence and assurance. Washington must reexamine and replace policies that no longer serve allied interests to effectively contribute to a reliable U.S. defense strategy. There is no question, the future of U.S. security and prosperity will all depend on how effectively the U.S. adapts policies and strategies to assure its friends (and deter their enemies) in this long-term strategic competition with China.

Lieutenant Colonel(P) Thomas R. Boland

U.S. Army Visiting Defence Fellow 2019-20
U.S. Army War College Senior Service

Lieutenant Colonel(P) Thomas R. Boland received his commission as a Quartermaster Officer in the U.S. Army in 2000 from Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC. He currently is assigned to the United States Army War College and serves as Visiting Defence Fellow at the Centre for International Defence and Policy at Queen’s University.

His leadership opportunities included command of Alpha Company, 626th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) in August of 2006 while deployed to Tikrit, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). After a year home, LTC(P) Boland deployed the same Company back to Iraq in support of OIF. Upon his return from Iraq in August 2008, he then commanded Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 626th BSB in Fort Campbell, KY. Later at the Battalion level, he commanded the Army Field Support Battalion in Alaska from June 2017 to June 2019.

Staff positions at the battalion and brigade level included Executive Officer, Support Operations Officer, and S4 in the 82nd Airborne Division. He served as the Joint Logistics and Distribution Branch Chief in the J4 at United States Indo - Pacific Command and served for a year as the Division G4 in the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, NY.

LTC(P) Boland’s is a graduate of the Quartermaster Officer Basic Course, the Combined Logistics Officer Advanced Course, the Command and General Staff College, and the Joint Combined Warfighting School. He has earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Presbyterian College and a Master’s in Business Management from Austin Peay State University. He is married to Liz Boland and they have four children.