National Defense Fellowship
The National Defense Fellowship (NDF) is an intensive joint program run in partnership between the Alexander Hamilton Society and the Ronald Reagan Institute. The program aims to educate ~20 advanced undergraduate and graduate students, and has two primary components, the Peace Through Strength Boot Camp (Sept. 26-Sept. 29) and the Reagan National Defense Forum (Dec. 6-7). Fellows will receive lodging, meals, and a transportation stipend - a $500 travel stipend for those traveling from outside DC to the Boot Camp, and a $500 travel stipend for everyone traveling to RNDF. The application for NDF 2024 will open in June.
PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH BOOT CAMP
The first component is an intensive four-day boot camp in Washington DC, which will begin on the evening of September 26 and conclude on the evening of September 29. The program is a unique opportunity to learn from the nation’s foremost defense policy thought-leaders and practitioners and hear from distinguished senior leaders in the national security and military communities. Students will emerge with a strong fundamental understanding in defense affairs, covering specific topics such as: budgeting, strategy, civil-military relations, force structure, readiness, the industrial base, the future of warfare, etc. Students will also learn about the key actors and institutions involved in making defense policy.
REAGAN NATIONAL DEFENSE FORUM
The second is attendance at the Reagan National Defense Forum (RNDF), the nation’s premier gathering of defense professionals, held between December 6-7 at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. The conference is an unparalleled opportunity for Hamilton students to not only hear from, but also interact with, defense policy leaders, such as Secretaries of Defense, Directors of CIA, Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Combatant Commanders, and industry executives, and understand the shaping forces of national security.
Reach out to Connor Cowman at connor@hamsoc.org with questions or for additional information.
“This was a truly one of a kind experience, not only because of the unprecedented amount of information on the National Security Strategy, but from being around a vast coalition of scholars dedicated in protecting this nation and others beyond.”
“The opportunity to learn about national security from those who are leading the American defense effort—whether asking H.R. McMaster his views on future U.S. defense capabilities or hearing Secretary Heather Wilson discuss the state of the U.S. Air Force—was truly unique.”