ODU Alumnus, Lt. Gen. Pete Osman, Is Speaker for Program on U.S. Global Engagement
October 24, 2012
Old Dominion University alumnus Lt. Gen. Harry "Pete" Osman, class of 1969, will be the keynote speaker for Impact 2012: Building a Better, Safer World, a program the university is hosting Monday, Oct. 29, for the discussion of U.S. global engagement and its impact on Virginia's future.
Osman, who retired from the U.S. Marine Corps following 37 years of active service and is currently the president and CEO of Toys of Tots, will give a talk on "America's Role in the World."
Co-sponsored by ODU, Veterans for Smart Power and the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, the luncheon program will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Hampton/Newport News Room of Webb Center.
There is no charge to attend, but RSVP is required by noon Thursday, Oct. 25 (RSVP here).
Veterans for Smart Power comprises veterans of all ages and ranks who share a commitment to elevating and strengthening our non-military tools of global engagement - alongside our military - so we can build a better, safer, more prosperous America and world.
As veterans of America's armed forces, they know firsthand that a strong military is essential to keep America safe. However, they also know that the military alone cannot defeat today's global threats. That's why they are promoting the support of a smart power national security strategy that invests in nonmilitary tools of development and diplomacy, too.
The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition is a broad-based influential network of 400 businesses and NGOs; national security and foreign policy experts; and business, faith-based, academic and community leaders in all 50 states who support a smart power approach of elevating diplomacy and development alongside defense in order to build a better, safer world.
Osman joined the Marine Corps in 1967 and was commissioned upon graduation from Old Dominion College in 1969. His USMC service included a stint as commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. (August 2002 to July 2004). During this assignment, he led a small Joint Task Force into Northern Iraq to coordinate political and military activities in that region during the Iraq war.
Osman later served as the deputy commandant of the Marine Corps for Manpower and Reserve Affairs from July 2004 to August 2006.
He retired on Oct. 1 2006.
He is a 2002 recipient of the ODU Distinguished Alumni Award.