Anthropologist says honor highlights AFCLC groundbreaking efforts Published Feb. 19, 2010 By Kimberly L. Wright Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Dr. Brian Selmeski, deputy director plans and policies of the Air Force Culture and Language Center, said his recent selection as a fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology is more a recognition of the groundbreaking work being accomplished by the center than an accolade for his individual achievements. The Society's Board of Directors voted unanimously to bestow this advanced status on Dr. Selmeski during their annual fall meeting in Philadelphia Dec. 5. Dr. Selmeski said he was somewhat surprised by the honor. A senior member leadership position requires recognition by peers, and a peer review of the Society nominated him last fall. The nomination underwent a rigorous peer review before the vote. While Dr. Selmeski was not privy to the process, he noted that the recognition was based "not just on scholarship and publications, but how nominees have applied anthropology to address real world problems." According to its Web site, the Society for Applied Anthropology promotes the active integration of the academic discipline "in solving human problems throughout the world; to advocate for fair and just public policy based upon sound research; to promote public recognition of anthropology as a profession; and to support the continuing professionalization of the field." This honor comes at a time when the work of the AFCLC is taking on greater importance. Dr. Selmeski pointed to the Quadrennial Defense Review, a vision document prepared by the Secretary of Defense for Congress that was released the first week of February, as an example. He remarked that the need for foreign language, regional and cultural skills was emphasized throughout the document. "This is where the Department of Defense is going in the next four years," said Dr. Selmeski, "and AFCLC is already actively addressing many of these concerns." Air University has been at the forefront of developing 21st century Airmen who can adapt to rapidly changing, culturally complex settings throughout the world, noted Dr. Selmeski. "Relevance is our watchword. What we're doing is relevant to many of the largest requirements being levied upon the Air Force today." Dr. Selmeski left active duty and entered anthropology "with no expectation that I would be in my current role with the U.S. Air Force." In the post-Cold War world into which he emerged professionally, there was no widespread interest in application of culture and language learning for in the general purpose forces, he noted. Today's military recognizes the need beyond specialist communities, and Air University is "leading the charge," said Dr. Selmeski. Since coming to Maxwell, he has been "practicing the discipline of anthropology in a military context in a way that is useful to the Air Force." He fully expects that many of his colleagues at AFCLC will be similarly honored by their disciplines' respective professional organizations, in recognition of their contributions to promote cultural learning across the military. "The British, Germans, Dutch are interested in what we're going," he said. The Air Force Culture and Language Center is evolving just as the Air Force is changing in response to the needs of a complex world. Dr. Selmeski said the work he does is just a small part of AFCLC's efforts though, most of which are undertaken by his military and civilian colleagues. As the demand increases, the AFCLC continues to grow, with three new professors hired this academic year, and a search underway for a cultural geographer. "I'm blessed to be surrounded by so many great people at the Center," Dr. Selmeski said. Dr. Dan Henk, director of AFCLC, said this recognition by the anthropological community may be the beginning of a sea change in the discipline's attitude toward the public sector, a hopeful signal of a growing willingness to contribute to our engagement with the rest of the world. "The Air Force is developing cross-cultural capabilities that anthropologists care about," Dr. Henk said. "The rest of the discipline is watching Brian." He said of Dr. Selmeski's selection as a fellow, "The honor bestowed upon Brian is a recognition by his discipline that he is an individual who is playing a major role" in making his discipline relevant. "Brian is increasingly recognized as the world's foremost authority on militarily relevant cross-cultural competence." The social sciences now being emphasized at Air University are intended to develop important attributes "critical to the success of 21st century Airmen," said Dr. Henk. Our service "has the potential to revolutionize the way we do things in the world. ... What the Air Force is seeking to develop in Airmen is so cutting-edge, if the academic world really saw it all, mouths would be agape." Dr. Henk said that in 40 years of military and government service, "this is the most exciting thing I've been privileged to be part of."