Pentagon Force Protection Agency Director Retires

WASHINGTON, June 16, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Thursday, June 7, the Director of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA) was honored at a retirement ceremony in the Pentagon Auditorium for transforming PFPA during his 10 years as the Agency's director.  

Steven E. Calvery was recognized with the Secretary of Defense Medal for Meritorious Civilian Service for leading the relatively young defense agency through 10 years of significant growth, economic uncertainty and a dramatically changing threat environment.

Presiding over the ceremony was Michael L. Rhodes, Director of Administration for the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

"When you consider PFPA's evolution from 2006 to today's premier law enforcement Agency with a highly capable and professional workforce, it is a credit to Steven's vision, leadership and determination," said Rhodes. "He has personified PFPA's motto, Semper Vigilans, Always Vigilant, and developed an organization capable of handling any incident or threat."

Calvery's tenure was marked by critical improvements to Pentagon physical security; a strengthening of law enforcement and response capabilities; establishment of a comprehensive threat management program; improved interoperability with first responder partners; and increased training and professional investments for PFPA employees.

Among Calvery's significant and enduring accomplishments are Pentagon security initiatives that include the monumental task of modernizing physical security capabilities to mirror the threat and the implementation of the Pentagon Shield program, a sophisticated detect-to-protect chemical biological radiological (CBR) defense monitoring program.

Under his leadership, PFPA successfully assumed new security responsibilities for the Raven Rock Mountain Complex, Mark Center, Defense Health Headquarters, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. 

He bolstered the agency's emergency management and response capabilities by establishing a Pentagon Office of Emergency Management and the construction of a Pentagon Emergency Response Center to house quick reaction response units (SWAT, bomb squad, and hazmat response) and an on-site environmental sampling laboratory.

Calvery instituted preventative capabilities that include threat analysis programs, a counterintelligence unit, and a protective intelligence component, as well as, expanded protective services for Office of Secretary of Defense High Risk Personnel travelling overseas. 

The threat environment changed dramatically during Calvery's tenure, with the U.S. experiencing an unprecedented increase in active shooter incidents and terrorist attacks.

On March 4, 2010, an active shooter shot and wounded two Pentagon Police Officers as he tried to force his way into the building. PFPA training and the quick reaction of Pentagon Police Officers thwarted his attempt and no other people were harmed. It was the preparedness of the agency then, and its culture of prevention today, that allow Pentagon employees and visitors to consistently experience a well-founded sense of safety and security. 

Through his leadership, PFPA has advanced into an agile, innovative Agency, able to analyze and adjust to the constantly evolving threat environment, while anticipating and preparing for future threats. 

During the ceremony, Calvery thanked PFPA employees, attributing the Agency's successes to their hard work. "I am proud of what you have accomplished," said Calvery. "You have reinvented security at the Pentagon and transformed PFPA into the multifaceted, sophisticated agency it is today. We are so much better prepared to handle any emergency that we may encounter. Thank you for your service. I wish you the best of luck as you carry this mission forward."

Calvery came to PFPA with more than 30 years of federal law enforcement and security experience. Prior to PFPA, he served with the Department of Interior (DOI) as the Director for Law Enforcement and Security. He was responsible for the third largest federal law enforcement force of approximately 4,400 officers, providing security and protection for 70,000 employees and millions of visitors and residents on public land. Post 9/11, he was tasked with upgrading security to protect the Nation's icons, monuments and dams.

Prior to the DOI, Calvery was a Senior Advisor for the Under Secretary for Enforcement, Department of the Treasury, where he advised on law enforcement and intelligence policy issues. From 1997 to 1999, he served at Department of Justice as the Regional Director for the Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training. There, he managed the design, development and implementation of international criminal justice reform programs.

From 1976 to 1997, Calvery was a special agent in the U.S. Secret Service. During that time, he served in the Vice Presidential Protective Division and the Presidential Protection Detail, where he supervised the protection of the President, First Lady and family. He served Presidents George H. Bush and William J. Clinton in that capacity. He also managed the Secret Service training academy.

From 1968 to 1971, he served in the United States Army as a combat helicopter pilot. He served in Vietnam with the Americal Division, where he was awarded the Purple Heart, and then as an instructor in flight operations at the U.S. Army Crew Chief School. Later, he graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

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SOURCE Pentagon Force Protection Agency