Gary Tabach

Last updated
Gary Tabach
CaptainGaryTabach.jpg
BornFebruary 1962
Moscow, USSR
AllegianceFlag of the United States.svg  United States of America
Service/branchFlag of the United States Navy (official).svg  United States Navy
Years of service1985–2011
Rank US-O6 insignia.svg Captain
Commands heldSpecial representative to the president and an advisor to the U.S. ambassador in Moscow, USSR
Head of Military Information Office (MIO) in the U.N. Special Military Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG)
Chief of the Arms Control Implementation Unit in Kazakhstan
Naval Affairs Officer in the Office of Defense Cooperation at the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, Poland
Program manager in the Threat Reduction Office at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow
Deputy director of the NATO Center of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism in Ankara, Turkey
Chief of Staff of the NATO Military Liaison Mission in Moscow
AwardsDefense Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Joint Defense Meritorious Service Medals (4)
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Joint Commendation Medals (2)
United Nations Medal
Navy Commendation Medal
Meritorious Honor Award
Joint Achievement Medal
Naval Achievement Medals (2)

Gary (Yuri) Tabach (born February 1962) is a retired United States Navy captain, notable for being the first Soviet-born citizen to be commissioned an officer in the Armed Forces of the United States. [1] [2] Tabach served as an advisor to the U.S. ambassador and special presidential envoy to the former Soviet Union. He held various positions in NATO missions and recognized for his expertise on military affairs, defense reduction strategy, national security issues and counterterrorism. [3] [4] [5] [6]

Contents

Early life and education

Gary Tabach was born in Moscow, USSR, to Mr. Zinovy Tabach, a dentist, and Mrs. Rima Tabach, a hematologist. In 1976, he emigrated to the United States with his parents, older sister, and grandmother. [5] [6]

In 1985, Tabach earned a pharmacy degree from Temple University in Philadelphia. [2] A year later, he completed parachute training. From 1990 to 1993, he pursued an MBA at the Jacksonville University in Florida. [4]

Military career

Upon graduating from Temple University, he was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. [2] From 1985 to 1991, he worked as a pharmacist for Naval hospitals. [4]

In 1991, Tabach became a special representative to the President and an assistant and advisor to the U.S. ambassador to the countries of the former USSR. Until 1994, he worked at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, serving as a liaison between the U.S. government and the governments of the former Soviet Union countries. He represented the U.S. government's interests, advised the U.S. Ambassador on policy and strategy, and provided analysis and recommendations on political, economic, and security developments in the region. [5]

In 1994, he joined Prisoner of War – Missing in Action Commission, actively searching for U.S. POWs and MIAs in the former Soviet Union. Additionally, he served as a course director at USUHS. [4] [6]

In 1997, he held the position of Head of Military Information Office (MIO) in the U.N. Special Military Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG), leading the hostage negotiation team. [4] [5]

From 1998 to 2000, Tabach served as a Chief of the Arms Control Implementation Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Almaty, Kazakhstan. [4]

Subsequently, he served as Naval Affairs Officer in the Office of Defense Cooperation at the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, Poland, overseeing arms shipments to Poland during its transition to NATO standards. He also served as a program manager in the Threat Reduction Office at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. [6]

From 2006 to 2008, Tabach served as the first deputy director of the NATO Center of Excellence – Defense Against Terrorism in Ankara, Turkey. He was responsible for leading a staff of 90 international military personnel from seven NATO countries. [7]

From 2008 to 2011, he was the Chief of Staff of the NATO Military Liaison Mission coordinating contacts with the Russian Ministry of Defense in Moscow. [8] [9]

Tabach received military awards for his service, including the Legion of Merit, one of the highest U.S. military honors. [10]

Tabach retired from the U.S. Navy in 2011 and currently serves as the CEO of Fort Seal. [4]

Military decorations

Personal life

Tabach is highly critical of both Putin's foreign and domestic policies and actively supports Ukraine in their fight for sovereignty and freedom. [11] [12]

His daughter, Michelle, also became a naval officer, serving as a lieutenant-commander on a combat ship and leading the combat operations control section. [6]

Publications

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References

  1. "CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE" (PDF). U.S. Government information. June 6, 2005. pp. S6113. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 "Retired U.S. Navy Captain Gary (Yuri) Tabach Presents to the Public". AlaskaBusiness. February 8, 2017. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  3. "Gary "Yuri" Tabach". American Political Services (in Spanish). Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Gary Tabach Biography". Wealthy Spy. March 1, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Checkmate: Predictions on Russia's maneuvering & US response". Alaska World Affairs Council. February 17, 2017. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Биография и личная жизнь Гарри Табаха, его жена, карьера и успех". 100 Биографий (in Russian). Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  7. Aybars Arda Kılıçer (May 6, 2022). "INTERVIEW WITH RET. U.S. NAVY CAPTAIN GARY TABACH". Transatlantic Policy Quarterly (TPQ). Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  8. "Military Liaison Mission in Moscow". North Atlantic Treaty Organization. August 31, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  9. Schwartzman, Bryan (December 2, 2011). "Statue in Philadelphia honors first Jewish commodore". Jewish Press of Tampa Bay. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  10. Evsikova, Irina (September 15, 2016). "Yuri Tabach is a United States Navy captain". Seagull Magazine (in Russian). Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  11. Popova, Tatyana (March 20, 2022). "Interview with former head of NATO mission in Moscow Gary Tabach". Kyiv Post. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  12. "Former NATO liaison in Moscow, Gary Tabach, new addition to Kyiv's lobbying team in Washington". Intelligence Online. November 4, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.