Faculty

Profile

Dr. Heath “Hank” Brightman is currently a Research Professor in the War Gaming Department of the United States Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. He served as an Associate Professor and Chair of the Criminal Justice Department at Saint Peter’s College from 2000-2008, and continues to serve as an adjunct faculty member at several undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral-level institutions. In addition, Hank previously spent fifteen years in a variety of law enforcement, investigative, and intelligence analysis positions with the U.S. Department of the Interior and United States Secret Service.

Dr. Brightman is highly regarded for his non-traditional approach to teaching complex subjects such as criminology, corruption control, social science research methods, biological and chemical warfare threat assessment, and the application of game theory to irregular warfare. He is widely published in peer reviewed journals and compendia. His most recent major work is entitled Today’s White-Collar Crime: Legal, Investigative, & Theoretical Perspectives (Routledge/Taylor & Francis, 2009).

Born and raised in Massachusetts, Hank received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1990, a Masters in Criminal Justice Administration from Boston University in 1993, and a Doctorate in Educational Administration & Leadership from Seton Hall University in 2000.

Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Dr. Brightman accepted a direct commission as a restricted line officer (Cryptology/Information Warfare) in the United States Navy Reserve. In addition to performing a variety of short-term and extended orders with the Advanced Research and Development Activity (Disruptive Technologies Office), Commander Navy Recruiting Command—New York District, and War Gaming Department of the U.S. Naval War College, Lieutenant Brightman served as Training Officer at Navy Information Operations Command Fort Dix and as Assistant Officer in Charge for the Center for Naval Leadership, Northeast Region. Since 2007, he has served as the Commanding Officer, Navy Reserve, Naval Security Force, Naval Weapons Station Earle. Significant personal awards include the Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards), and special recognition as Reserve Officers Association Rhode Island Junior Officer of the Year (2009).