In the rich tapestry of Stars and Stripes‘ history, few individuals have left as lasting an impact as Barry Williams. With a career spanning multiple decades and roles, Williams has been a pivotal figure in the evolution of this esteemed military news organization.
From Air Force to Stars and Stripes
Barry Williams’ journey with Stars and Stripes began long before he joined the organization. As an Air Force officer stationed in Norway in 1985, Williams became an avid reader of the publication. “I was a news junkie,” he recalls, “and Stripes was just something I felt very connected to from the mission.”
This connection would eventually lead to a multifaceted career with Stars and Stripes:
- Commander in Europe (1998-2001): As an Air Force Lt. Colonel, Williams led the European operations.
- Operations Manager: In his most recent role, Williams was deeply involved in the business operations, though not in a supervisory capacity.
Bridging Military and Civilian Worlds
Williams played a crucial role during a significant transition period for Stars and Stripes. He witnessed and participated in the gradual shift from military control to civilian leadership of the organization.
“Going back in history, I was also at Stripes before the so-called consolidation,” Williams explains. “My predecessor was called the commander/ publisher. It was during the time that I was there that they officially said the commanders are no longer involved [in the news part].”
This evolution, as Williams notes, was part of a larger trend: “The main story of Stars and Stripes in terms of journalistic independence has been that evolution to get the military officers out of supervising news operations and have the military only be involved in the logistics and support. We still have military reporters involved in writing the news, which is fine, but the commanders are now limited to business and logistics matters.”
Key Contributions and Challenges
Throughout his tenure, Williams took on several critical responsibilities:
- Troop Support: Ensuring the delivery of printed papers to troops downrange was a top priority. Williams emphasizes the importance of this task: “You don’t want to screw it up, because you’re gonna have thousands of troops not getting what they need.”
- Facility Development: Williams was heavily involved in the design and setup of the current Stars and Stripes building in Washington, overseeing everything from architecture to the physical move.
- Administrative Oversight: Handling the complex bureaucratic paperwork, G invoicing, and contracts with the military was a significant part of his role.
Reflecting on his biggest challenges, Williams shares: “I was very involved at least when I was here, and in some degree in Europe, in getting the papers to the troops down range. The printed papers. And doing all the bureaucratic [stuff] — the invoicing, the contracts, and so on. It wasn’t so much a challenge, it’s just something that’s very important to me is you’re getting the paper to the people who most need it.”
A Mission-Driven Perspective
As Williams reflects on his career, his advice to current and future Stripers is rooted in the organization’s core mission:
“It always came down to serving Service members who are stationed overseas, sometimes in bad places without their family, plus those who are stationed in other places with their families. You’re serving their families. So, it’s just a very important mission in terms of service to the nation. My only advice would be, always keep that in front of your mind.”
Legacy and Future
Even in retirement, Williams keeps a keen eye on Stars and Stripes‘ progress. He notes recent changes, such as budget requests now going directly to the DoD comptroller instead of to the Defense Media Activity, as positive steps for the organization’s future.
Barry Williams’ career at Stars and Stripes is a testament to the organization’s evolution and enduring mission. His journey from a military officer to a key civilian leader mirrors the transformation of Stars and Stripes itself, always adapting while staying true to its core purpose of serving those who serve.
As Williams puts it, “It was natural for me to want to come work at Stripes. First as a Lt. Col in the Air Force. The other thing I did was oversee the enlisted troops who were reporters and make sure they got all the stuff they needed.”
Barry Williams’ dedication to Stars and Stripes and its mission has left an indelible mark on the organization, shaping its trajectory and ensuring its continued service to military personnel and their families around the world.