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Image of Russ Hampsey with a marble looking background that is light brown, grey and blue

A professional, experienced manager, and leader,  Russ currently operates a Service Disabled Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) venture focused on providing advise and assistance to Defense and Commercial Clients.  Bayou Consultants LLC is a subcontractor to PAE INC and supports the HQUSSOCOM Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) SWMS-B task. Russ performs as an adjunct to the institution developing curriculum supporting the JSOU-Next Learning Pathway focused on Communication Advantage and Strategic Influence.  He recently enrolled in Liberty University’s School of Communications & the Arts to pursue a post Master’s Degree Graduate Certificate in  Executive Communications. 

 

Founder of Bayou Consultants, LLC

The field of communications as one the main elements of informational power in international relations is a fascinating combination of science and art.  The integration of disciplines such as culture, philosophy, sociology, and political science combine to provide a narrative peculiar to each nation.   The evolution of technology manifested through advances in data science is changing the communications landscape. Connecting globally through technology has never been easier, however cultural nuances still require understanding to facilitate knowledge transfer.

My immersive experiences in South America, The Middle East, and South-Central Asia implementing US Policies juxtaposed to my online poll-based understanding of international relations is worth contrasting.  Below are some articles I’ve written or co-written, most based on immersion, few on study only along with articles of interest by others.  My current endeavor with the JSOU as a curriculum developer, and adjunct faculty is an extension of my professional work and I am excited to share these results over time.

 

A Time For Sergeants: COIN Success At The Company and Platoon Level In Afghanistan

The Solution Representative is responsible for developing integrated solutions that address their client’s business needs (both industry and business) and deliver client value while supporting IBM business strategies.

It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout……..

Small Wars Journal

Realpolitik in Afghanistan: Pragmatic Influence Required

The defeat of the ISIS self-declared Caliphate in Iraq and the Levant has caused many strategic pundits to refocus on the “ungoverned” areas of Afghanistan and a resurgent Taliban. With the refocus comes much speculation on how to win the hearts and minds of the “Afghans.” One hopes this time around is the last, and perhaps the U.S. will realize that “winning the hearts and minds” may not be necessary to earn cooperation to achieve a mutually beneficial future between the West and Afghanistan…….

Black, Red and Green Flad of Afghanistan

Russell Hampsey: Prospective on Leadership

FLORIDA, USA, November 3, 2018 — Russell Hampsey (Russ) is a Florida based cognitive solutions consultant providing integrated results that address needs (both industry and business) while supporting IBM’s business strategies. Over the past 30 years, Mr. Hampsey dedicated a life of service to helping the Department of Defense as a Psychological Operations Officer and government contractor) in order to provide priceless leadership and solutions to those within his reach. The writings that he has provided to Small Wars Journal, Armed Forces Journal and a verity of other publications can be found at RussHampsey.com.

Russ Hampsey in a dark suit and tie with glasses

Afghanistan’s Unique Surge

The fight can only be won by listening to Afghan voices

Afghanistan operations have evolved from a Special Forces-centric campaign to one that extends across the general-purpose forces. This shift came when it was recognized that the Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) strategy needed to include a counterinsurgency (COIN) campaign that was embraced by all forces at all levels.

However, as the Counterinsurgency Field Manual points out, “Not everyone is good at COIN. Many leaders don’t understand it, and some who do can’t execute it. … In COIN, a few good troops under a smart junior noncommissioned officer doing the right things can succeed, while a large force doing the wrong things will fail.” ………

AFJ in blue Letters and Armed Forces Journal In Black

Rediscovering the Art of Psychological Operations in the Afghan Counterinsurgency

Psychological Operations (PSYOP) professionals have too long take
n a cautionary approach to the counterinsurgency (COIN) operations in Afghanistan. The forces waging COIN on a daily basis; Brigade, Battalion and Company sized units deride PSYOP as the “no” man. While the rest of the military has become learning organizations it seems PSYOP units are stuck trying to execute major combat operational war campaigns that are better suited for an enemy that is national and enjoys first or top tier second-world infrastructure. Commanders on the ground strive for responsive, timely, and relevant programs designed to influence the insurgent and selected Afghan target audiences that support or are ambivalent to the insurgents. PSYOP
limitations in executing these tasks have relegated the branch to the second string. The PSYOP community must reinvigorate its agility and come prepared to fight the COIN strategy in Afghanistan…..
Small Wars Journal

Perspectives on Modern World History: The Cuban Revolution

Use of Propaganda Helped Cuban Rebels Be Victorious
Russell J. Hampsey
A US military officers officer examines the propaganda campaign that Fidel Castro and his followers waged against dictator Fulgencio Batista and says that it helped them win the people’s support, prevented an international backlash, and led them to victory…….

 

This is a book cover with Castro

320th military police company

U.S. Army Sgt. Jonathon Crespo, the Company Intelligence Support chief, and Russell Hampsey, the Counter-insurgence Advisory and Assistance Team member, visits a shop on a combined patrol with the Afghan border police to a villages near Combat Outpost Chergawtah. Sgt. Crespo is a member of 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1-187th Infantry (Air Assault) assigned to 320th Field Artillery, and Russell Hampsey out of Bagram Airfield working for the Commander of the International Security Assistant Forces, COP Chergawtah, Khowst province, Afghanistan, May 26. Combined Patrol in Combat Outpost Chergawt – Alamy Image ID: HEK3HK

U.S. Army Sgt. Jonathon Crespo, the Company Intelligence Support chief, and Russell Hampsey, the Counter-insurgence Advisory and Assistance Team member, visits a shop on a combined patrol with the Afghan border police to a villages near Combat Outpost Chergawtah. Sgt. Crespo is a member of 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1-187th Infantry (Air Assault) assigned to 320th Field Artillery, and Russell Hampsey out of Bagram Airfield working for the Commander of the International Security Assistant Forces, COP Chergawtah, Khowst province, Afghanistan, May 26. Combined Patrol in Combat Outpost Chergawtah 290758

Voices from the Sierra Maestra: Fidel Castro's Revolutionary Propaganda

On 5 November 1956, 82 Cuban revolutionaries based in Mexico boarded a broken-down yacht named La Granma and headed for Cuba. Seven days later the yacht ran aground near the Los Colorados beach in Cuba’s Oriente Province. The landing was well south of the force’s link-up site, where 50 supporters awaited their arrival. Government warships patrolled the coast, and government planes flew overhead. The element of surprise was not a factor.

Three days later, soldiers, tipped off by a local peasant, surrounded the revolutionists and almost annihilated them. From 12 to 20 of the guerrillas survived and escaped to the Sierra Maestra Mountains to continue their fight against Cuban dictator and strongman Fulgencio Batista.1 Twenty-four months later the survivors formed the nucleus of a rebel army that marched to Havana to form a revolutionary government that continues to shape international relations in the Western Hemisphere……

 

Leaven Worth Ab Bellum Pace Parati

“The COIN Warrior” Waging Influence

The purpose of this document is to flatten the information sharing process across the force and provide information that we have seen throughout the Afghan Theater. The intent is to provide information to personnel in their pre-deployment training at the National and International Training Centers, as well as forces currently operating in the Afghan COIN Environment. The information contained in this document can be utilized as a pocket guide for continual reference.

Since the announcement of the Counterinsurgency Strategy with the publishing of the Integrated Civilian-Military Campaign Plan (ICMCP) we have advised and assisted numerous units from Regional Commands to Platoon sized elements. There are a few common threads that resonate throughout the lower echelons of command and we identified a need to address these universal issues…….

Small Wars Journal

COIN for the Company Commander: A Few Thoughts for Those in the Fight - By LTC (FRA AR) Philippe Moreaux

Referencing Sean McKenna and Russ Hampsey Works

Green circle with ISAF written in English and Dari Language

The ISAF Counterinsurgency Blog

Green circle with ISAF written in English and Dari Language

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