http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/anintervie_2208.mp3
This isn't the first time Dr. JD Crouch has had an office at the pentagon.
During the administration of George Bush, senior Crouch served as principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for international security policy.
He held this position from 1990 to 1992.
Now, the deputy has been dropped from the title and he's a step further up the chain of command as an assistant secretary.
Crouch describes his responsibilities.
Crouch brings experience to the job, having served in the defense department in the early 90's. Even so, he says things are vastly different now because of September 11th.
Encouraging the international community to support the United States' efforts to seek out terrorists has been a challenge.
But that's not the only challenge Crouch faces'there are challenges here in the U-S.
Crouch says the defense department is slow to change. And Crouch believes the department needs to adapt to the post 9-11 environment.
Despite some of the frustrations that come along with working in a large organization like the department of defense, crouch says he loves his work.
He describes what he likes most.
Going after terrorists has brought new challenges to those like Crouch who think about defense and wartime strategy.
He says seeking out individuals and small groups is different than attacking a country.
Because terrorists are able to hide in the shadows, some have raised concerns about the ability of terrorists to acquire weapons of mass destruction.
Crouch says it's difficult to stop terrorists from obtaining them.
While some in southwest Missouri might feel removed from discussions of terrorism, Crouch says that doesn't mean Missourians be less vigilant.
He says Springfield and smaller communities in southwest Missouri could feel the direct impact of a terrorist attack in the future.
And crouch says he plans to return to Springfield to teach when he's finished serving in the department of defense.
He says he wants to return to southwest Missouri state university and teach in the department of defense and strategic studies.
Crouch says his students will benefit from the knowledge he's gained firsthand while working at the pentagon.
And in his field, firsthand knowledge is invaluable.
As America remembers today the lives lost one year ago, Dr. Crouch says he hopes it will invigorate them to remain committed to the task at hand'finding and stamping out terrorism.