Navy seeks applicants for FY11 National Security Management Program
7/8/2010
by Ed Barker
PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- Senior Naval officers interested in understanding the factors and forces shaping national security strategy and policy should consider applying for the National Security Management Program (NSMP) no later than Sept. 24.

The fiscal year 2011 program was announced in naval administrative message (NAVADMIN) 219/10, released July 1.

Designed for senior officials working in national security-related positions, program participants will attend the senior manager course in National Security, a DoD-sponsored, four-week resident course of instruction held at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The course allows O-6 officers and civilians at paygrades of GS/GM-15 or equivalent the opportunity to learn the management techniques and core knowledge necessary to deal with complex issues involving national security.

The Elliott School's program employs training in management and decision making techniques, practical and analytical feedback, simulations, guest lectures and site visits. The course objective is to improve the management and leadership skills necessary to successfully influence the various processes within DoD.

"Our distinctive approach combines study under some of the world's leading experts with a unique, rigorous program of management skills courses," said Michael E. Brown, dean of the Elliott School of International Affairs. "Learning and skills are tested and embedded through simulation exercises. This combination of foundational knowledge, management tools and analytical techniques enables defense professionals to excel in the decision-making environment of the 21st century."

Capt. Richard A. Rogers, currently the commodore of Destroyer Squadron 22, attended the senior manager course in March 2009.

"The course allows the participants to experience the role of our government from not just the military perspective, but across all organizations that affect our national security policy," said Rogers. "While four weeks away from work can be difficult for a senior leader to accept, this course was the exception. The course challenges you to critically think about different futures and how our policy decisions today will affect those futures."

The program includes numerous site visits and briefings from policy makers. The course systematically examines the forces that influence U.S. defense decision making - the interagency process, the wider policy community, and threats in the international arena. This multifaceted approach gives participants further opportunities to develop the rational and intuitive decision-making skills needed for national security leadership.

The course also includes a field trip to New York City, during which a number of transnational security issues will be analyzed: terrorist threats, disease and international security, the challenge of illegal immigration and threats to the economy. A central case study will be used to improve management skills and prepare participants for the culmination of the course, a two-day simulation exercise, which requires successfully using the substantive expertise and analytical skills developed during the course.

Applications for the FY11 NSMP are due no later than Sept. 24 and participants have historically attended the course in the March/April or May/June time frame. Eligible nominations for the NSMP Navy selection board must be top performing active-duty or full-time support O-6 or O-6 select unrestricted line (URL) officers who hold a master's degree or proven sub-specialty and whose reporting seniors have nominated them to attend the program. Officers selected will incur two years of obligated service upon completion of the course. Selectees will receive full tuition, room and board and travel funding.

Application packages should be submitted by the nominee's reporting senior officer to Center for Personal and Professional Development Voluntary Education Detachment, Attention: Code N2A2NSMP, 6490 Saufley Field Rd., Pensacola, Fla., 32509-5204.

For more information on NSMP, review NAVADMIN 219/10.