Report on the Presidio of Monterey’s Antiterrorism Initiative and its Contribution to Global Sustainability Goals

Executive Summary

On August 4, 2025, the leadership of the Presidio of Monterey (PoM) and the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC) initiated a month-long campaign for Antiterrorism Awareness. This report analyzes the initiative’s objectives and its direct alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). The campaign underscores a commitment to fostering security, institutional resilience, and community safety as foundational elements of sustainable development.

Initiative Overview and Objectives

A formal ceremony marked the proclamation of August as Antiterrorism Awareness Month, led by Col. Dan Artino, PoM garrison commander, and Col. Christy Whitfield, DLIFLC commandant. The initiative is an Army-wide effort designed to enhance security readiness.

• Promote continuous awareness and vigilance against terrorist threats.
• Reinforce the shared responsibility of all personnel in maintaining security.
• Strengthen personal security habits and information-sharing protocols.
• Encourage community-wide participation in identifying and reporting suspicious activities through platforms like iSalute.

Contribution to SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The antiterrorism campaign is a direct implementation of the principles outlined in SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful societies and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions.

1. Target 16.1 (Reduce Violence): By fostering a proactive security culture and enhancing vigilance, the initiative actively works to prevent violence and protect the community, contributing to the reduction of violence-related threats.
2. Target 16.a (Strengthen National Institutions): The campaign strengthens institutional capacity to combat terrorism. Col. Whitfield emphasized that it is the “responsibility of leaders at every echelon to engage in this program,” highlighting the focus on building robust internal systems and procedures for threat mitigation.

Fostering SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The initiative’s emphasis on collective responsibility directly supports the goal of creating safe, resilient, and sustainable communities as envisioned in SDG 11.

• Community Safety and Inclusivity: Col. Artino’s statement, “A threat to one is a threat to all,” frames security as a collective good essential for a sustainable community. The program engages all members, including faculty, staff, trainees, and the garrison workforce, ensuring an inclusive approach to safety.
• Proactive Community Protection: By empowering every individual to be a “piece of the larger puzzle,” the campaign promotes a proactive and resilient community capable of protecting itself, which is a cornerstone of urban and community sustainability.

Leadership Commitment and Strategic Partnerships (SDG 17)

The joint proclamation ceremony between PoM and DLIFLC exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), showcasing effective collaboration between distinct organizational entities to achieve a common security objective.

Key Leadership Directives:

• Col. Christy Whitfield: Stressed that antiterrorism awareness is a daily, year-round imperative, not confined to a single month, and requires leadership engagement and proactive community protection.
• Col. Dan Artino: Affirmed that threat levels are assessed daily from an installation perspective and that continuous dialogue within organizations is essential for maintaining security.

Conclusion and Reporting Protocols

The Antiterrorism Awareness Month at the Presidio of Monterey is a comprehensive security strategy that aligns with global sustainability frameworks. It reinforces the understanding that peace and security are prerequisites for sustainable development. The program operationalizes key targets of SDGs 11 and 16 by strengthening institutional frameworks and fostering a culture of shared community responsibility.

Mechanisms for Reporting Suspicious Activity:

• Telephone: 1-800-CALL-SPY
• Online Platform: https://www.usainscom.army.mil/iSALUTE

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The primary Sustainable Development Goal addressed in the article is:

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This goal aims to “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.” The article’s entire focus is on an initiative by a national institution (the U.S. Army) to combat terrorism and ensure community safety. The proclamation of “Antiterrorism Awareness Month” is a direct effort to strengthen institutional capacity and promote peace and security, which is the core of SDG 16. The article highlights the importance of keeping the community “proactive and protected” and engaging in the “ongoing fight against terrorism.”

What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the focus of the article, the following specific targets under SDG 16 can be identified:

1. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere

   The antiterrorism campaign described is a preventative measure aimed at stopping violence before it occurs. By promoting “awareness and vigilance,” the initiative seeks to reduce the threat of terrorism, a significant form of violence. The statement, “A threat to one is a threat to all,” underscores the goal of protecting the entire community from violence and potential death.

2. Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, to build capacity at all levels… to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime

   The article is a clear example of a national institution strengthening its capacity to combat terrorism. The U.S. Army, through the Presidio of Monterey and the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, is implementing a “month-long campaign” to enhance “antiterrorism readiness across all organizations and personnel.” The formal proclamation, the designation of an “Installation Antiterrorism Officer,” and the promotion of reporting procedures are all concrete actions that build institutional capacity to prevent violence and terrorism, directly aligning with this target.

Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions and implies several indicators that can measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Institutional Commitment and Action

  The formal signing of “A Proclamation for Antiterrorism Awareness Month” by garrison and school commandants serves as a clear indicator of institutional commitment. The organization of a “month-long campaign” and the existence of roles like “Installation Antiterrorism Officer” are tangible measures of the institution’s efforts to strengthen its antiterrorism capabilities (Target 16.a).

• Reporting of Suspicious Activity

  The article explicitly mentions the goal of reinforcing “information-sharing responsibilities, and the power of community involvement through reporting platforms like iSalute.” It provides a specific tool and contact number (“call 1-800-CALL-SPY or visit https://www.usainscom.army.mil/iSALUTE”). The number and quality of reports filed through these channels can be used as a direct indicator to measure the effectiveness of the awareness campaign in encouraging community vigilance.

• Daily Threat Assessment

  The garrison commander, Col. Artino, states, “From an installation perspective, we assess threat levels daily.” This daily procedural action is a direct indicator of the institution’s ongoing vigilance and proactive stance in preventing violence, which is a key component of achieving Target 16.1 and Target 16.a.

Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: army.mil