JOHN E. SURAJ PERSAD

The author is of East Indian Descent, born in England to East Indian parents from Jamaica and Guyana. His father served in the Royal Air Force during WW11, his mother trained as a nurse under the Catholic diocese in Guyana and England, and later a teacher in Jamaica. John has a diverse background, is educated in the British and American systems, and has experience living in Jamaica, Guyana, Germany, America, Panama, and Türkiye. His education includes the Cambridge University Examinations (GCE "O" Level), a Bachelor’s degree in Technical Management (BSTM), a post-bachelor certification as a Paralegal, a Master’s in International Policy and Practice (MIPP) from The George Washington University, Elliott School of International Affairs, and numerous training to include DHS and FEMA courses. His academic tracks heavily concentrate on Transnational Security, Strategic Leadership, Aviation, and International Policy. John is a former Chief Warrant Officer (CWO3) in the United States Army Aviation Corps, a graduate of the US Army Warrant Officer Career College (Ft Rucker), US Army Aviation Flight Academy (Ft Rucker), US Army Intelligence School (Ft Huachuca), US Army Combat Readiness Center (Ft Rucker), and holds Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certifications as a Flight Engineer (FE), Commercial Pilot (CP), and Commercial rating of Airline Transport Pilot (ATP). He is dual-rated as an aviator in Helicopters and Airplanes. He has operated as an Aviation Safety Officer-Accident Investigator, Observation Helicopter Pilot, Intelligence Airplane Pilot, Electronic Warfare Officer, and Flight Operations Officer. John has been deployed for many operations worldwide. In his last assignment, he served in Germany, the Balkans, and Türkiye, where he then changed careers and went to UPS Airlines as a commercial cargo pilot, flying the DC8, B757, and B767-300ER platforms internationally. During his civilian aviation career, John volunteered for training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) to be a Deputized Federal Aviation Law Enforcement Officer assigned under the Department of Homeland Security. John is a disabled American veteran who is extremely thankful and proud of his service to the United States Army and is currently medically retired from United Parcel Service Airlines. He brings to this book the perspective of an immigrant coming to his adopted country, embracing the nation's core values, and fully engaging in what he affectionately calls " The Land of Opportunity." John continues service today as a security and leadership consultant and volunteers as a training advisor to the Boone Police Department in NC. He also advises several foreign clients on strategic leadership, corporate security, aviation, and risk management. He is a member of the Rotary Club and the Military Officers Association of America, where he and his wife assist veterans in various capacities. John is happily retired with his wife Gerarda MSSW, LCSW, QCSW (US Army Frm., CDR. USPHS. Ret), whom he met during their early Army days of service together. John often jokes, "The Army gave me a life and issued me a wife.” They have two adult children (Anthony, Omar) and a close nephew (Saheed) in their circle. His oldest son and nephew are former and retired Army, respectively. His oldest son is finishing his Project Management and MBA studies, and the youngest son has a Masters in Biomedical Science and JD. Together, John and Gerarda have five grandchildren, and when not traveling the world, they hang their hats in the beautiful North Carolina mountains, Europe, and the state of Florida.