An interview with Victor E. Renuart, Jr

Joint Force Quarterly, Jan, 2008 by David H. Gurney, Jeffrey D. Smotherman

Our role at NORTHCOM is to ensure that with every event, we are looking at what kinds of things we might make available to help. The key is support--not to come in and command, but to support. I think we've made a lot of progress in that regard, and I think we're building the relationship across the country with Governors, Lieutenant Governors, adjutants general, emergency management directors--that's our mission. And I've not encountered anyone who has an objection to that. We've had a great response from states all over that have said, "We really need your help. We really do need some assistance. And so the fact that you're preparing to put it in place almost before we ask is comforting. Maybe we won't have to ask, and that's okay. But maybe we do, and if we do, we know that it will be ready." And that's our real mission.

JFQ: Thank you, sir.

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Col David H. Gurney, USMC (Ret.), and Dr. Jeffrey D. Smotherman of Joint Force Quarterly interviewed General Renuart at his Pentagon liaison office.