Larry Dietz
President & Newsletter Editor
Mr. Dietz, a Distinguished Military Graduate of Northeastern University (Boston), was commissioned a 2LT in Military Intelligence in August 1968. He served in the Republic of Viet Nam where he commanded a Radio Research PLT and functioned as a COMSEC Officer. In 1989, Mr. Dietz joined the 7th PSYOP Group as OIC of the FD (Strategic Intelligence) section. Other assignments at 7th POG included XO, S2 and S3. In September 1994 he assumed command of the 12th PSYOP BN, a job he held until October 1998. From July 1997 to February 1998 he served as the Deputy Commander of the Joint Information Campaign Task Force, Sarajevo, Bosnia.
Promoted to COL in November 1998 he was assigned as G2, 351st CA Command. In October 2001 he was assigned as IO Officer, USSOCOM, a post he held until his retirement in April 2002. Subsequent to retiring Dietz graduated the US Army War College in July 2002. He served as a volunteer instructor for deploying PSYOP personnel at Fort Hunter Liggett in December 2003 and April 2005. He was elected Honorary Colonel of the PSYOP Regiment of the US Army in 2003 and served in the role until 2010.
He authors - www.psyopregiment.blogspot.com
Chad Spawr
President Emeritus & Board Member
Company B, 6th PSYOP Battalion, 4th PSYOP Group (Viet-Nam), 1968-69
HHC, 1st PSYOP Battalion, 2d PSYOP Group (Ft. Bragg), 1969-70
Psychological Operations Veterans Association (POVA) 1988 to present
Mr. Spawr joined the 6th PSYOP Battalion in September 1968 upon completion of his first tour of duty in Viet-Nam. He led the planning and execution of PSYOP support to the maneuver battalions of 2d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, and was frequently deployed to units in contact with hostile forces to provide language services as well as to use PSYOP capabilities to support American forces. He returned to the US in July 1969 and was assigned to HHC 1st PSYOP Battalion, 2d PSYOP Group. In 1970, Mr. Spawr left Psychological Operations for the US Army Intelligence Command, where he performed Counterintelligence duties for the remainder of his military service. A graduate of Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, and the Keller Graduate School of Management, he retired from a long career in Human Resources Management and Organizational Development, and currently operates a private consulting practice based in Michigan.
An original Charter Member and one of POVA’s original 5 founders, he has served as President on three occasions, and is a candidate for re-election for the 2021 - 2023 Biennium.
John Cheney
Vice President / Chaplain
Military Background
PFC, US Army, 13th PSYOP BN, Fort Bragg, NC
SSGT, US Army, 4th PSYOP GP, Vietnam 2 tours
CPT-XO, US Army, 12th PSYOP CO, US Army Reserve MD
Major, US Army Military Intelligence Officer, Retired
Tours, Vietnam, Bosnia, Counter Drug, others
Civilian Background
B.S. Journalism, Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos TX
M.S. Communications, San Jose State University, San Jose California
Project Management Certified, George Washington University, WDC.
Master Gardner, Texas A&M Agrilife
Master Composter, Texas A&M Agrilife
Past Employment
SW BELL, PAC TEL, ROLM, IBM, SIEMENS
Management, Sales, Engineering
Current Activities
Speaker on Insect Hotels, Beneficial Insects, Plant Propagation
Speaker on Compost Activity
Speaker on Recycling
VP/Chaplain POVA
Writer for Perspectives Magazine
Family
Married, 4 children, blended family
8 grand children
Jessie Manning
First Vice President
Mike Rogers
Vice President Finance
TBD
Vice President Membership
Hammond Salley
Vice President at Large
Hammond Salley, a military BRAT, attended the University of Florida where he received an Army ROTC commission in the Infantry. During the next 21 years he had assignments throughout the United States, two tours in Germany and two tours in Vietnam. Hammond has served in Armored, Airborne and Mechanized Infantry Divisions as well as in Special Operations units. He is Airborne, Ranger and Special Forces qualified.
In 1967 he was the assistant S-3 of the 6th PSYOP Battalion when it became the 4th PSYOP Group and was in Saigon when the TET Offensive commenced. He was shortly reassigned to the Special Operations unit known as MACVSOG and sent to Forward Operations Base-3 (FOB-3) colocated at the Khe Sanh Combat Base during the siege of Khe Sanh. On his second tour in Vietnam, he was assigned to 24th Corps as the Deputy G-5 for PSYOP.
After returning to CONUS, and after serving as the S-3 of the 1st Bn, 508th Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division, he was brought to the Division Staff as the Deputy G-5 for Civil / Military Operations.
After retiring from the Army, he started a second 20 year career as an aerospace analyst / project manager for McDonnell Douglas / Boeing. His initial assignment was on the design team for the C-17 troop / cargo transport aircraft. His later focus was on development of classified future defense related projects for Boeing's 'Phantom Works'. In keeping with the family military tradition, his son Russell is an Air Force Academy graduate and his son Robert is a West Point graduate.
Ilya Nemtsov
Vice President Marketing
Ilya Nemtsov enlisted in the Army Reserves in 2002 and was assigned to 2POG HHC in Parma, Ohio as Information Technology Specialist (MOS 74B). In 2005 after graduating from Cleveland State University with a degree in Business Administration Management Information Systems and completing the ROTC program, he received his commission as 2LT in Signal Corps. After completing Signal Officer Basic Corse (25A), served as 2nd POG Group S6.
In 2009 he was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and served as S6 for 16th Psychological Operations Battalion – Psychological Operations Task Force – POTF, Baghdad, Iraq.
In 2012 he graduated from PSYOP Officer Qualification Course and shortly after deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to Afghanistan where he served as a Radio Chief for the Combined Joined Psychological Operations Task Force – CJPOTF, ISAF- Kabul, AFG. Upon his return he was assigned to 13th POB - 350th Tactical PSYOP Company, Twinsburg, OH as PSYOP Product Development Detachment OIC. During his time with 350th TPC, he participated and served as PSYOP SME in multiple EUCOM/NATO Exercises including Exercise Rapid Trident - 2015 in Ukraine, JMRC - Operation Allied Spirit IV - 2016 in Germany, and Exercise Saber Guardian - 2016 in Romania. Served as a Company Commander for 319th Tactical PSYOP Company 13th POB, Arden Hills, MN as Company 2018 - 2019. Graduated from IO Qualification Course in 2021.
Currently, LTC Nemtsov is assigned to USCENTCOM, CCJ39 - Information Operations Branch.
Brett Cox
Gateway Chapter President
Brett joined the 18th PSYOP CO (TAC)(DS) of the 10th PSYOP BN when he enlisted at 17 years old and served as a 96F & 37F in propaganda development through 1994, also spending time in the 307th POC before returning to the 18th now designated as the 318th. Brett actively supported deployment of Desert Shield/Desert Storm team members and operations during the war. He is a lifetime member of POVA, a member of the PRA, Old Crows and Sons of the American Revolution. Brett is the current President of the Gateway Chapter, the first Chapter in POVA history.
Brett has worked for The Boeing Company since 2008 and is currently the cybersecurity technical lead for the optimal enterprise integration effort. He has worked in cybersecurity and risk mitigation for over 18 years. Brett holds several professional certifications including Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer: Security (MCSE). Brett has been identified by CompTia as a Subject Matter Expert in Information Security and serves on the CompTia Senior Technical Advisory Council. Brett is also an adjunct instructor at St. Louis University teaching cybersecurity courses.
As an active member of his community, he was elected to public office in 2006 and 2009 for the Bayless School District Board of Education and served as the President of the Board of Education. Brett also participates in several volunteer roles including President of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) - St. Louis Gateway Chapter, member of the Veteran’s Administration Gateway Community Veteran Engagement Board, member of the Leadership Team for the Meramec Valley Community Emergency Response Team, Ground Team member of the Eureka Fire Search and Rescue Team and the past Chair of the Affton Community Betterment Association. Brett is a member of the Fontbonne University Council of Regents and also serves on the advisory Boards of both Defender’s Gateway and the Warrior Transition Network. He has recently been appointed as the new Army Reserve Ambassador for the state of Missouri.
Daniel Wood
Scholarship chair
LTC Wood has extensive deployment and exercise experience within EUCOM, CENTCOM, and AFRICOM AORs. He began his career twenty-five years ago in the United States Marine Corps as a Diesel Mechanic, serving in Okinawa, Japan and Camp Pendleton, CA. After transitioning to the West Virginia Army National Guard, he pursued his goal of completing his Bachelor and master’s degrees in Adult and Technical Education from Marshall University. While in the Army Guard, he served as a Recruiting and Retention NCO until he was accepted into the Officer Candidate Program.
After completion of OCS, Daniel served as an Air Defense Officer supporting the National Capital Region enforce it's no-fly zones. Afterwards, he served as an Infantry Officer where he led a Scout Platoon in Iraq. During his break in service, He worked as an Event Planner for Things to Do Dc, and an Adjunct Professor for Central Texas College, and The Ohio State University.
Daniel Wood is currently the Chief of Information Operations for the Office of Information Operations Policy (OIOP), Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict (ASD/SOLIC) where he overseas coordination for Joint Military Deception and Psychological Operations Programs and budgets. His previous assignments include serving as the Battalion Operations Officer for 15th Psychological Operations Battalion located in Cincinnati, OH, and PSYOP Chief for US Army Africa in Vicenza, Italy. LTC Wood was qualified as 37A though the Reserve POQC pipeline in 2009. As a PSYOP Officer he has served as a Detachment Commander, JTF PSYOP Planner, Group S-3 Air, and PSYOP/Information Operations Mobilization and Readiness Planner.
LTC Wood is married to the former Katherine Foley of Cleveland, OH. Katie is a Nurse Case Manager, and an amazing Mother and Stepmother for their seven children and four Grand Children.
Desmond Gudets
Board Member
SSG Gudets Joined the Army Reserve in 2000 and attended Basic Training at Ft. Benning Georgia and followed on to Ft. Jackson for AIT as a Heavy Wheel Vehicle Mechanic and subsequently the Vehicle Recovery Specialist Course. He then assumed his assignment with the 300TH Postal Unit out of Homewood Illinois.
In 2003 he was reassigned to the 416th Engineer Command for Operation Iraqi Freedom and was selected to move forward for ongoing operations as a Senior Mechanic. In late 2003 he was reassigned to B Co. 863rd Engineer (Vertical) where he was assigned as the Senior Mechanic until being reassigned to HSC 411TH EN BN (Combat Heavy) and was assigned as a Technical Inspector and Senior Lead Mechanic.
In 2005 he requested assignment to HSC 16TH Psyop BN as a Lead Mechanic for HSC during this time he attended Warrior Leadership Course at Camp Ashland, Nebraska. In 2006 he later deployed and was assigned to Special Troops Battalion V Corp under MNCI-IRAQ as a Quality Control/Quality Assurance NCO.
In 2009 he was reassigned and later deployed under the 305th Psyop Company out of Ft. Story, VA and later assumed duties as Motor Sergeant. He later reclassed to a Psychological Operations Specialist and transferred to the 316th Psyop Company in Peru, Indiana where he assumed duties as a Team Chief for 7 years before being deployed to the Horn of Africa under the Combined Joined Task Force Horn of Africa. In 2017, he transferred back to HSC 16TH PSYOP BN and currently works in the Operations Section
For the past 19 years he has served the Army Reserve and 20 years as a Journeyman Diesel Mechanic in the Beverage Industry.
Mike Stoeckert
President Emeritus & Board Member
In October of 1965, I was drafted into the United States Army. I took my basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Upon completion of Basic Training I was assigned to 2D Psychological Operations Group, HHC 13th Psychological Operations Battalion, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, as an offset printing pressman. In July of 1966, I received orders for deployment to Vietnam and was assigned to 26th Psychological Detachment. The detachment arrived via troopship in August and was assigned to the 6th Psychological Operations Battalion, 245th Company in Nha Trang. In November of 1966, the detachment was transferred to 6th Psychological Operations Battalion Headquarters in Saigon. My job was to print and produce leaflets. I eventually was promoted the rank of Specialist Fifth Class. In August of 1967, after serving my time in the Army, I was Honorably Discharged.
Upon my return to civilian life I eventually started a career in Law Enforcement. I was appointed to the Suffolk County Police Department in Suffolk County, New York. During my thirty years with the Police Department I was a Uniform Patrol Officer, Plainclothes Officer, and eventually promoted to Detective. After retiring from The Police department I worked twelve years as a part time Code Enforcement Officer for the Village of Bellport, New York.
I am Lifetime member of POVA and been a member since 1993. I have held the positions of Trustee, Vice President, and President. I was elected President in 2008 and held the position until 2016. I am currently a Trustee.
TBD
Vice President Reunions & Events
Dennis Bartow
President Emeritus
Herb Friedman
Historian
Sergeant Major Herbert A. Friedman (Ret.) was discharged in 1995 after 26 years of honorable service. He has held numerous positions in the military, holds three military occupational specialties, several special skills identifiers, and is an honor graduate of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy at Ft. Bliss, Texas. He has 22 military awards and decorations and has graduated numerous military courses, including the Senior Battle Staff Course, the First Sergeant's Course, The Military Instructor Course and Psychological Operations.
Since retirement he has been awarded New York State's most prestigious military medal, the Conspicuous Service Cross. He has also been awarded the Town of Hempstead’s Veterans Medal for his dedication “for the betterment of his brethren,” Nassau County's highest decoration, the Executive's Distinguished Service to Veterans Award, and the Nassau County Firefighters Veterans Medal of Valor.
He has served as the mid-Atlantic spokesman to the press for the Psychological Operations Veterans Association (POVA), and the PSYOP history editor of the Psychological Operations Association (POA) journal Perspectives. He was the American representative of the international PSYWAR Society. He has written over 200 articles on the subject of PSYOP and has been the expert source in close to a dozen published books published around the world.
He has been interviewed on Japanese television, ITN, and on the American news show Extra. He has appeared on both the British and Canadian Broadcasting Corporations (BBC and CBC) and worked with the authors of articles in the New York Times, USA Today, and other American and foreign newspapers. He has been interviewed by the BBC Program Today, their world news program Newsday, their program Witness and their world broadcast program the History Hour, and Newshour. His interviews on psychological warfare have appeared in Cabinet Magazine, Icon, Print Magazine, the Psychologist, Good Magazine, Psychological Operations [Iran]and Défense & Sécurité Internationale [France].
He was interviewed and acted as a subject expert for the American History Channel Sworn to Secrecy documentary on psychological operations, the British Channel Four documentary on sexual propaganda during World War II titled Sex Bomb, the Canadian Chum Limited television documentary Sex and Psyops, and the Tokyo Broadcasting System documentary on American PSYOP during the invasion of Okinawa. He was a special contributor to the Nova documentary “Missing in MiG Alley” and the PBS series, History Detectives. His article on the “Wandering Soul” PSYOP campaign in Vietnam was the basis for the radio play “Mimi’s Guide” broadcast by Radio L.A. Theatre Works. He was interviewed for the German documentary “Songs of War – Music as a Weapon” which was nominated for an international Emmy (Best Arts Documentary) in 2012. In 2015, he acted as the PSYOP Advisor for the short film, Wandering Soul. In 2016, he took part in a radio podcast called “Ghost Tape Number Ten.” Later that same year he took part in another podcast called “Military Psychological Operations - Influencing the enemy.”
He has guest-lectured on the history of PSYOP to both the United States Army enlisted and officer's psychological operations training students at Ft. Bragg, NC. SGM Friedman constantly researches and writes about psychological operations. He currently has over one hundred and sixty articles published on various sites on the Internet such as Psywarrior.com and Psywar.org. He is always willing to lend his expertise to any project on that subject.