Pamela mcgaha

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2009 Fulbright Postgraduate Scholar

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“The Australian Army Reserve is positioning to move from a strategic reserve to a fully operational force. This is a major transformation, based on recognition that, in time of attack, no-one is better suited to respond than a community-based defence force, intimately familiar with the area, its residents, and their needs.”

Pam McGaha, currently a business consultant and Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army National Guard, has been awarded a Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarship from the Australian-American Fulbright Commission.  She will undertake 12 months research as a Visiting Fellow with the University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy.

Pam will conduct a comparative study of the Australian Army Reserve and the U.S. Army National Guard in order to strengthen both organizations’ response to their communities during domestic security emergencies.

“This is a historic period of reorganization for Citizen-Soldiers in both countries, and an exchange of new ideas and best practices will greatly enhance and accelerate their effectiveness to face universal security challenges.”

Pam’s research comes in light of new legislation in Australia allowing citizen-soldiers to reinforce civilian authorities in a variety of emergency situations such as guarding key infrastructure and providing security at major events.

The products to come from this collaborative research include improved procedures for use in emergencies, revised coursework and training exercises, and long-term recommendations for missions, composition, and policies for Reservists in the next decade.

Pamela has a BA in Economics from Bucknell University and an MBA from Lehigh University in Business Administration.  She has won business awards including the Silver Medal for marketing excellence in the National Cable MARK competition, and also military awards including the Bronze Star Medal, the Pennsylvania Meritorious Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal with silver oak leaf cluster.  She has more than 20 years experience as a Guardsman, multiple overseas deployments and state activations, and currently serves as a Battalion Commander of four companies.

Pam is one of 19 American Fulbright Scholars travelling to Australia in 2009/2010.