Spotlight On: Major Devon M. Blake, United States Military Academy

In October 2007, I had the privilege of serving as a mentor and facilitator for The National Conference of Ethics in America as presented by the Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic at the United States Military Academy.

During my 5 days at this extraordinary event, I was greatly impressed with the conference leadership skills of Major Devon M. Blake.

[About Major Devon M. Blake]

Major Devon Blake began her military career at West Point on July 1, 1991. Upon graduation in 1995, she branched into the Military Intelligence Corps and chose to go to the 2nd Infantry Division, Korea. There she served as the Iron Brigade Combat Team Assistant Intelligence Officer before extending her tour in order to become a Collection and Jamming Platoon Leader with the 102nd Military Intelligence Battalion. After 13 months as a platoon leader in Korea, she sought an aerial exploitation platoon at the 224th Military Intelligence Battalion, Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia. Following this time as a platoon leader, she then served as a company executive officer before taking over as the Battalion Intelligence Officer.

From August 1999 through March 2000, Major Blake deployed with the 10th Mountain Division to Bosnia-Herzegovina as the 2-15th Field Artillery Regimental Intelligence Officer. There her duties included the overall security for Eagle Base, incorporating the overall mission of security for Tuzla International Airport .

After returning to the U.S., Major Blake attended the Engineer Captains Career Course, followed by the Combined Arms and Services Staff School, and simultaneously completed a Masters degree in Engineering Management. Upon completion of these courses, she was assigned to the 5th Engineer Battalion (Combat)(Mechanized) as the Battalion Intelligence Officer. While assigned to the 5th Engineers, the 1st Engineer Brigade Commander assigned Major Blake to command his Brigade Headquarters Company. This command was truly an honor for a Military Intelligence Officer.

Upon completion of 19 months of command, Major Blake attended graduate school at the University of Virginia where she specialized in Curriculum and Instruction, focusing on ethics education and information technology. Major Blake now serves as the Education Officer in the Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic at West Point.

She and her husband, Tim, have four children, Grayson (6), Gabriel (4), Abigail (3) and Malcolm (1).

Major Blake masterfully managed the conference, combining cordiality, professionalism and attention to detail. These qualities provided the direction needed to insure that the conference would be a lasting memory to all attendees.

Major Blake stands as a model of leadership and dedication to duty and is deserving of esteem for her service to this conference and to our nation.

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Preparing Young Leaders: The Future of America – Part 1 of 5	Click here to visit site
Preparing Young Leaders: The Future of America – Part 2 of 5	Click here to visit site
Preparing Young Leaders: The Future of America – Part 3 of 5	Click here to visit site
Preparing Young Leaders: The Future of America – Part 4 of 5	Click here to visit site
Preparing Young Leaders: The Future of America – Part 5 of 5	Click here to visit site
National Conference on Ethics in America	Click here to visit site