THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, March 20, 1996 TAG: 9603190316
SECTION: MILITARY NEWS PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALVA CHOPP, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
A lot has changed since Lt. William Bunn was a student at the Navy and Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center at Dam Neck.
Six years ago, the primary target of interest for naval intelligence officers was the Soviet Union.
``We felt we had a lot of lead time because we focused on one enemy,'' Bunn said. ``After the Cold War ended, our threat changed.
``Now we have fewer resources, but we have even more chance of our forces being involved in various parts of the world . . . not just in strikes but (in other operations) like evacuation of personnel from a foreign country.''
With the global focus, Bunn, 28, admits the role of the intelligence officer is even more difficult.
``The (intelligence) community is so different than it was five years ago you can't imagine,'' he said. ``The role of intelligence is not diminishing at all. In fact, the role has increased.''
And he should know. As an instructor in the intelligence center's Basic Intelligence Officer course, Bunn's job is to get new intelligence officers ready to collect information on countries that may present a threat, understand its importance and transmit that information to their commands.
For his efforts, Bunn was recently selected as the center's Instructor of the Year.
``One of the most difficult areas for our students is not in grasping the information, but in their role as briefers,'' he said.
``Briefing is how we do our business. You can be the best intelligence officer in the world, but the idea is to get that information down to the operators in the field.''
Bunn uses his own experiences as evidence. In a short six years, he has already played a part in drug counter-operations in Panama, helped develop strategy during amphibious operations in Somalia and worked on the strike planning team during operations against targets in Southern Iraq's ``no-fly'' zone.
``The intelligence we gather is what drives the forces,'' he said. ``We give our forces information on enemy aircraft, ships, submarines, surface-to-air missiles and any other strike warfare,'' he said. ``And we help them determine how to defeat the threat.''
Bunn, a native of Denver, said he decided to return to teaching at the Dam Neck center because he had enjoyed his time there as a student and felt his ``real experiences'' could bring changes to the classroom.
``At NMITC, we believe in and live by the creed that our students are our most important customer, so each of us gets a chance to be a class adviser,'' he said. ``That's one of the most rewarding aspects of working here.''
Being selected as Instructor of the Year came as a surprise to Bunn. ``I am honored to receive that designation on behalf of all my fellow instructors and staff personnel who are just as dedicated,'' he said.
Since relocating to Chesapeake in 1990, Bunn has been active in the community as well.
He plays second violin in the Virginia Beach Symphony Orchestra and admits he enjoys using his musical talents to perform for the public. ``There's nothing that equals sitting in the symphony and adding to the performance,'' he said.
Participating in his church is his other joy.
While attending the Agape Christian Fellowship Church and playing his violin as part of their musical program, he met his wife, Vicki Burtt. They are expecting their first child in July.
``The Navy and my career have been very important to me, but my focus is on my spiritual life and my relationship with Christ,'' he said. ``I would be remiss if I didn't put my emphasis there.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
RICHARD L. DUNSTON/The Virginian-Pilot
While he is an instructor at the Navy and Marine Corps Intelligence
Training Center at Dam Neck, Lt. William Bunn is also active in the
community. He plays second violin in the Virginia Beach Symphony
Orchestra and enjoys performing.
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