Robert H. Fancher - Institute for Security Governance

Resident Advisor

Mr. Robert Fancher began serving as a Voluntary National Contribution (VNC) and Strategic Defense Planning Advisor – Iraq with duty at NATO HQ in Brussels, Belgium, on 1 April 2021. In this role, he provides strategic defense planning, force/capability planning advice on Security Sector Reform for Iraq, and liaison functions with Allies. Specifically, Mr. Fancher directly advises Iraqi counterparts in force structure planning, analysis and implementation during regular in- person trips to Iraq.

Mr. Fancher has nearly 20 years of experience performing force structure analyses on US forces while serving as a member of the Joint Staff, J8, both on active duty with the US Army and as a government civilian following retirement from the military in 2007. His knowledge of the Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution (PPBE) process, Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) and Joint Force Assessments process have prepared him well for this assignment.

During his active duty US Army service, Mr. Fancher participated in numerous deployments to Central America, to Saudi Arabia and Iraq in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM, and to Bosnia in support of Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR.

Mr. Fancher holds a BS degree in Engineering Management from the United States Military Academy, a MS degree in Operations Research from Texas A&M University, and a MS degree in National Resource Management from the National Defense University.