Unpacking the Defense Enterprise
Details
CSIS is pleased to offer this popular course in a live, real-time, online format. We look forward to continuing to offer you high-quality professional development opportunities in this new format.
Overview
The Unpacking the Defense Enterprise virtual course gives participants a competitive advantage in analyzing the defense domain, the evolution of defense strategy, budgetary and technical issues, and future challenges and opportunities in the U.S. defense enterprise.
The course is led by an accomplished cadre of defense and security experts, including practitioners, scholars, and former U.S. government leaders. Participants will be able to connect with experts, contribute in real time, and apply the concepts covered in seminars through a variety of interactive exercises and crisis simulations. Participants will also learn from and network with other professionals in the defense field from across the globe from their own home or office.
Curriculum
The Unpacking the Defense Enterprise curriculum includes a series of interactive seminars addressing a wide range of strategic, policy, technical, and budgetary issues in the defense domain.
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Understanding the Defense Environment: Geopolitics and Defense Strategy
Hon. Robert Scher, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and CapabilitiesMilitary Forces: Strategy, Structure, and Tradeoffs
Mark Cancian, Senior Adviser, International Security ProgramMyths and Realities of the Defense Budget
Todd Harrison, Director, Defense Budget Analysis, Director, Aerospace Security Project and Senior Fellow, International Security ProgramDefense Futures
Samuel Brannen, Senior Fellow, International Security Program and Director, Risk and Foresight GroupIrregular Warfare, Intelligence, and Defense
Dr. Seth Jones, Harold Brown Chair; Director, Transnational Threats Project; and Senior Adviser, International Security ProgramStrengthening Allies and Creating New Partners
Tommy Ross, CSIS Senior Associate and Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Security CooperationUse of Force in the 21st Century
Dr. Alice Hunt Friend, Senior Fellow, International Security ProgramFundamental Questions of Defense Acquisition
Gregory Sanders, Deputy Director and Fellow, Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group
Morgan Dwyer, Fellow, International Security Program and Deputy Director for Policy Analysis, Defense-Industrial Initiatives GroupEmerging Technologies and Defense
Lindsey Sheppard, Fellow, International Security ProgramDefense 101
Melissa Dalton, Senior Fellow and Deputy Director, International Security Program, and Director, Cooperative Defense Project
The Unpacking the Defense Enterprise course culminates in an interactive crisis simulation exercise. This exercise will test participants’ ability to apply lessons from the seminars to scenarios in which they will have to make strategic, capability, and resourcing tradeoffs and identify ways to mitigate risk and harness opportunities to protect U.S. interests.
Eligibility
CSIS is seeking a professionally diverse cohort of mid-career practitioners with 5 to 10 years of experience from across the U.S. and international military, government, private sector, and academic communities interested in increasing their knowledge of the U.S. defense enterprise. Applicants may be seeking a baseline understanding of U.S. defense issues broadly, knowledge of how different elements of the defense enterprise fit together, and/or deeper insights into particular areas important to U.S. defense. The course is structured to accommodate this range of learning. The selection committee will consider candidates' professional background as well as demonstrated interest in the fields of international security, defense, or other related areas.
How to Apply
The online application includes a short form, statement of interest, brief bio, and attachment of a resume. Applications are due by Monday, November 30, 2020, by 11:59 PM EST. They will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Alumni
Previous and current participants include representatives from:
Central Intelligence Agency, Harvard University Kennedy School, Institute for Defense Analyses, Marine Corps University Krulak Center, Morgan Stanley, National Defense University, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Technologies, Royal Australian Air Force, Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), U.A.E. Ministry of Defense, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Navy, U.S. Office of Management and Budget, Victorian Government Australia Trade and Investment Office, WāVv Strategic Consulting, Whitehill Partners, Women Cross DMZ
Contact
For more information, please contact Barbara Petzen, Director of Training Initiatives, at bpetzen@csis.org.










