Military Career

      U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel (retired) René White is Lumbee Native American and President of the Native American Church of Virginia. She is a military veteran with 22 years active-duty military service in senior management at the unit, squadron, wing, major command, joint task force, Numbered Air Force, Headquarters Air Force and Department of Defense levels during 13 assignments and numerous overseas operations and activities.
     René has extensive skills in leading and managing people of all military branches in 14 countries (South Korea, Korean DMZ, England, South Africa, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Germany, Italy, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Croatia, Sarajevo, Turkey and USA). She has worked with people of influence fostering critical interagency partnerships including the White House, State Department, Secretary of Defense, national and international news reporters and embassies.    

ASSIGNMENTS
1.     9/2009 – 1/2011   Spokesperson, Department of Defense, Pentagon D.C.
2.     7/2007 – 9/2009   Director, PA Seventh Air Force, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea
3.     7/2004 – 7/2007   Chief, PA Joint Advertising, Market Research & Studies, Arlington VA
4.     12/2002 – 7/2004        Chief, Intellectual Properties Manager (Branding Program), Pentagon DC - Gained Air Force approval for first official symbol of the U.S. Air Force
5.     1/2002 – 12/2002        Staff Officer, Special PA Projects, Pentagon DC
6.     6/2001 – 1/2002   Air Force PA Communications Officer, Pentagon DC
7.     1/2000 – 6/2001   Deputy, PA Joint Task Force-Full Accounting, Camp Smith HI
8.     8/1998 – 1/2000   Chief, PA, Hickam AFB HI
9.     1/1996 – 8/1998   Chief, PA Programs, AF Materiel Command, Wright Patterson AFB OH
10. 4/1996 – 11/1996        Deputy, Community Relations, Wright Patterson AFB OH
11. 3/1993 – 4/1996   Officer, Media Relations/Strategic Communications, Army/Air Force Exchange Service, Dallas TX
12. 2/1992 – 3/1993   Director, TV Producer/Dir., 436th Strategic Training Squadron, Fort Worth TX
13. 9/1989 – 2/1992   Director, TV Producer/Dir., 1365th Audiovisual Squadron, Fort Worth TX

MILITARY EDUCATION

• 2001 Masters of Arts in Diplomacy & Military Studies, Hawaii Pacific University HI
  Numerous courses/conferences related to Public Relations & Strategic Marketing
• 2003 DoD Contracting Officer’s Course, Arlington VA
• 2002 Air Command and Staff College, correspondence
• 2001 Advanced PA Course, Pentagon DC
• 1998 Squadron Officers School, Maxwell AFB AL
• 1998 Defense Information School, Fort Meade MD
• 1997 Joint Contingency Planning Course, Maxwell AFB AL
• 1996 PA Officer Qualification Course, ID
• 1989 – 1993 Combat Camera Training, CA and TX
• 1988 Bachelor of Science Mathematics, UNC-P
• 1987 Bachelor of Fine Arts and Applied Arts, University of NC at Pembroke
  

JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1.     2004 – 2007 Conducted operations in South Africa and England as Major.
2.     2000 – 2001 Supported JTF-FA activities in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos as Major
3.     1996 – 1998 Chief, PA OPERATION North. Watch, Incirlik AB Turkey as Captain
4.     1993 Chief, PA OPERATION Provide Promise, Naples Italy, supporting operations in Croatia, Sarajevo, Macedonia and Germany as Captain

MILITARY AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

• Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak left cluster
• Joint Service Commendation Medal with two oak left clusters
• Korean Defense Service Medal
• Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
• Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
• National Defense Service Medal with service star
• Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
• Armed Forces Service Medal
• Department of Defense Badge
• HQ Air Force Badge
• U.S. Pacific Command Badge
• Joint Meritorious Unit with three oak leaf clusters
• Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
• Organizational Excellence Award with two oak left clusters
• Air Force F Overseas Ribbon Short
• Air Force Overseas Ribbon Long
• AF Longevity Service with four oak leaf clusters
• Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Pistol) with service star (M-16)
• Air Force Training Ribbon