Leon A. Mcllvene - Defense Security Cooperation University

Resident Advisor

Mr. Leon McIlvene arrived in Tunisia on 30 August for a one-year assignment as the Special Operations Advisor to the Tunisian Ministry of Defense, engaging at the Ministerial, Service, and Headquarters levels to develop and integrate the full spectrum of Tunisian Special Operations capabilities with US and NATO forces. He is permanently assigned to the U.S. European Command, in Stuttgart, Germany, as the Military-to-Military Engagement Program Manager, overseeing security cooperation activities between U.S. forces and the armed forces of partner nations throughout Europe.

Mr. McIlvene served for 24 years as a Marine Corps Infantry Officer and Middle East/North Africa Foreign Area Officer. His international experience includes assignments in Germany, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and multiple tours in Iraq. He has served on multiple Combatant Command, Service component, and Joint Task Force staffs, in military and civilian positions.

Mr. McIlvene’s civilian education includes: a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics from Appalachian State University; a Master’s Degree in National Security Affairs and a Master’s Degree in International Security & Civil-Military Relations, both from the Naval Postgraduate School; a Master of Business Administration Degree from the University of Maryland; and he is a Senior Executive Fellow of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. His military education includes: the U.S. Air Force War College; Joint Forces Staff College; the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College; the Joint Military Attaché School; and the Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management.