Title: Retired Security Specialist
Company: Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Security Administration
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Bogdan J. Dzakovic, MS, retired aviation security specialist at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Military for dedication, achievements and leadership in anti-terrorism related to commercial aviation.
Mr. Dzakovic indicates that he was one of three people, including Steve Elson, a retired Vietnam-era Navy SEAL, and Brian Sullivan, a retired Vietnam-era Army lieutenant colonel, who identified the emerging threat of terrorism in the lead-up to September 11, 2001, and attempted to prevent the attacks. Laying the foundation for his expertise in the field of anti-terrorism, Mr. Dzakovic began his career as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. While stationed on the southern border as a lieutenant working in narcotics interdiction, he earned a Special Achievement Award from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for “Outstanding Contributions in the Field of Drug Law Enforcement” in 1983. He then earned a Master of Science in security administration from Northeastern University in Boston in 1984.
After a brief stint as a criminal investigator for the Naval Investigative Service, Mr. Dzakovic joined the Federal Aviation Administration’s security division, working in anti-terrorism in the late 1980s. In the early 1990s, he served as a federal air marshal team leader, and in the late ‘90s, was a team leader in the Red Team. The Red Team was established as a result of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, which resulted in the deaths of 270 people in 1988. Its mission was to ascertain how effective security was in preventing another terrorist attack against commercial aviation and to project the next most likely attack so that preventative security measures could be instituted; Mr. Dzakovic did just that.
Unfortunately, Mr. Dzakovic notes that he was met with an ossified bureaucracy at the FAA, which allegedly refused to heed his warnings. He then took his concerns to the Inspector General and reports that he faced similar countenance. While he received a more receptive audience with the General Accounting Office (GAO), he considered that the GAO did not have the proper authority to operate without a direct order from the U.S. Congress. He subsequently contacted individual members of Congress, warning them of the impending attack and how bureaucracy within the FAA security division was hindering any chance of prevention to no avail.
Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, Mr. Dzakovic filed a formal whistleblower disclosure with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC), which reports directly to the President of the United States. The OSC subsequently agreed with his allegations and stated that the FAA executed its civil aviation security mission in a manner that was “a substantial and specific danger to public safety.” However, Mr. Dzakovic spent the remaining years of his government service in what he considered an irrelevant entry-level position while virtually all members of the FAA security division were allegedly promoted or transferred to the Transportation Security Administration.
In the weeks thereafter, Mr. Dzakovic notes that Congress provided the airline industry with $15 billion, and the victim’s families were awarded with lucrative compensation. As the 9/11 Commission was being formed, Mr. Dzakovic was shocked to learn that most of the commission members had some strong connection with the airline industry and critical details were omitted from “The 9/11 Commission Report.” He ultimately testified in front of the commission, but none of his testimony or offered documentation is mentioned in their report; he was listed as a footnote on page 441.
Beyond his primary career objectives, Mr. Dzakovic’s advocacy for transparency and accountability has been evident through his involvement with several organizations. Among them, he became an associate member of the Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS) and has actively participated in the National Security Whistleblowers Coalition. His efforts to prevent terrorism were also highlighted in the documentary “Please Remove Your Shoes,” in which he shared insights into systemic issues within federal security agencies.
Beyond his primary career objectives, Mr. Dzakovic’s advocacy for transparency and accountability has been evident through his involvement with several organizations. Among them, he became an associate member of the Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS) and has actively participated in the National Security Whistleblowers Coalition. His efforts to prevent terrorism were also highlighted in the documentary “Please Remove Your Shoes,” in which he shared insights into systemic issues within federal security agencies.
As an author, Mr. Dzakovic penned “Fortress of Deceit: The Story of a 9/11 Whistleblower,” published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform in 2016. This work reflects his commitment to exposing truths and advocating for reform within government systems.
Born in Middletown, Ohio, Mr. Dzakovic faced early adversity with the loss of his parents and spent his formative years in orphanages and foster care. These experiences instilled in him a profound sense of empathy, which significantly shaped his professional journey.
Mr. Dzakovic finds solace in martial arts and enjoying neighborhood animals. Looking ahead, he remains eager to contribute to efforts aimed at making the world more just and rational through his involvement with VIPS and initiatives focused on reforming transportation security policies. His ongoing research and writing endeavors further underscore his dedication to combating corruption and upholding the principles of transparency and accountability.
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