Balancing Duty and Family: The Life of Ospan Zhassuzakov

-Rachel.C

Integrating a successful military and diplomacy career with family time isn't easy to do. Ospan Zhassuzakov showed us it's possible. He finished three degrees, worked years in military diplomacy and government decision-making roles, and raised five children. Here is his story and how he did the work-life balance. 

In Pursuit of Knowledge and Academic Excellence

Ospan Zhassuzakov was born into a military family in the U.S.S.R. so his decision to be part of the army seemed to be very rational. As a teenager, he liked reading, playing chess, learning different languages, and playing tactical war games with his friends.

Ospan was an excellent student in school. In 1997 he finished secondary school in the Republican Military School (Suvorov Military School) in Almaty, Kazakhstan. He liked the life of military school cadet — the discipline and the order. The years at the Republican Military School have given him the exact qualities that are essential for the “career ladder”.

Five years later, in 2002, Ospan earned a degree in Translation and Liaison specializing in Chinese and English in Military University in Russia.

Further, in 2008, he also graduated from the Master’s degree of the Combined Arms Academy of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation with a degree in Management. Subsequently, ten years later he obtained a Master’s degree, a diploma with distinction from the National Defense University of the Republic of Kazakhstan. His hunger for knowledge and education did not stop after acquiring all these degrees, he went on to participate in several qualification and refresher courses in the USA, China, Finland, Sweden, and Croatia. All this makes Ospan not only well experienced and valuable in his field but also an open-minded and well-rounded person who learned how to absorb an enormous amount of different information.

During his studies, Ospan constantly received awards for high academic performance. In addition to this, he actively participated in the refinement of teaching approach in the field of military science by developing several scientific approaches that had become obligatory in the training of new military officers.

In Service of His Nation and Family

Everything started, when Ospan graduated and officially became an army officer. Ospan’s fast growth in his career was not a coincidence, as he excelled at his job and within two years was promoted twice, ahead of schedule.

In less than 10 years, he became a deputy military attache in China. It was a good position where military and diplomatic issues at Kazakhstan’s-Chinese relations were tabled all together.

During his time in China, Ospan was responsible for developing military-technical collaboration between these countries. This accomplishment results in Kazakhstan acquiring drones—UAVs.

While working for Security Council of Kazakhstan since 2016 till 2019, Ospan held different positions in the National Security Council. He was able to make significant beneficial changes to his country’s defense and homeland security. In particular, he was able to organize work on the development of key security documents. This then unfolded the President’s, Prime Minister’s and Minister of Defense’s ability to make tactical strategic decisions.

From 2019 to 2022, Ospan was carrying out his activities in the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan. During this period, he worked as a – Deputy Head of the main directorate of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan on Information and Analytical work. His knowledge and experiences from managing information issues and conducting a strategic analysis, played an undoubtedly defining role in the military operations and the orientation of Kazakhstan.

And during 2022-2024, up to the moment of his resignation, Ospan worked in a Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan to the UN, as a Military Advisor. During this period Ospan successfully managed to lead the first independent troops of Kazakhstan to the Golan Heights as part of the peacekeeping formation of the UN Mission.

The Reward for Hard Work is Recognition

Ospan was awarded medals by the CSTO Secretary General and the President.

Beyond the combat and military topic, Ospan has a high academic subchapter. He has done a lot towards enhancing educational matters in the military, in particular he assisted with the development of a new methodology that was adapted in teaching military science to a wide circle of peace staff – university graduates, cadets and students of national universities. His contributions enhance the training of a new generation of military minds and contribute to expanding their operational activities.  

Looking Ahead: Entrepreneurship and Fatherhood

Ospan’s continuous desire to grow and to make a world a better place has brought him to the next phase of his life for which he has great aspirations for. First and foremost, Ospan intends to contribute to the creation of analytical online company that will be the source for international news and foreign policy forecasting. With his online company, he plans to actually influence the global strategic atmosphere and development of policies and strategic decision-making. Thanks to the use of current innovative practices Ospan believes he can make this a reality.

Ospan also plans to use his positive energy to raise and bring up his 5 children in a supporting and engaging environment. Ospan wishes to be a great example to his children and hopes to create a world in which they can flourish and embrace everything that is good. 

Conclusion: A Harmonious Balance of Duty and Personal Commitment

Ospan’s personal story and his amazing contributions and accomplishments are all reminders of how one can love and serve one’s country and at the same time still be a great father and family person. Balancing family life with your duty to your country requires intentional planning, open communication with loved ones, and understanding that there will be sacrifices and compromises. Ospan serves as an example of what it takes to be an accomplished person, he is an example to others of what excellence is, and confirmation that one person can make positive changes that impact the public at large.