Brigadier General Dean Ertwine has served with distinction in a variety of positions which include; Executive Officer to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Research, Development & Acquisition), Pentagon; Commander, Fire Support Armaments Center, United States Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center, Picatinny Arsenal; Commander, United States Army Cold Regions Test Center, Fort Greely; Director, Materiel Testing, United States Army Dugway Proving Ground; and as Secretary of the General Staff, deputy G-3 and assistant Division Chemical Officer, 9th Infantry Division (motorized), Fort Lewis.
In October 1999, Brigadier General Ertwine assumed command of the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (later renamed the U.S. Army Developmental Test Command) until his retirement from the U.S. Army in August of 2002.
Following his 30-year tenure at the US Army, Brigadier General Ertwine has served Battelle as Vice President for Army Science and Technology Business Development. He then became an Executive Director of the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education. He is now an Assistant Director for Military and Federal Affairs at the Maryland Department of Commerce.
Brigadier General Ertwine is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy in 1972. He received his master’s in physical chemistry and doctorate in chemistry from Lehigh University.
Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!
At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.
The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.
Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.
International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.
It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.
