Internships with NDCF

NDCF provides interns an unparalleled, real-world experience in foreign policy and defense studies, with a specific focus on terrorism, low-intensity conflict, and energy security.

Benefits

For more than twenty-five years, interns worked closely with former NDCF President Milton Copulos, a leading energy researcher, and former Executive Director Major F. Andy Messing, USAR (Retired), an expert on special operations and low-intensity conflict. Current NDCF Executive Director Jim Martin and Colonel Bill Cousins, US Army (Retired) provide guidance and assistance to interns performing research and developing articles for publication in major media. Interns have contributed to Foundation efforts at the highest levels, met with key policy-makers and media figures, and developed the professional-level research and writing skills needed to stand out from their peers and address the pressing questions of American security policy.

Dozens of interns have published the results of their research in commentary pieces in The Washington Times, The LA Times, The Washington Post, and even The Congressional Record. They have gone on to careers with Congress, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Armed Forces, major defense contractors, and several notable think-tanks.

The Program

NDCF interns are important assets for the foundation and are expected to make significant contributions that will also develop their critical thinking and writing skills. More than 90% of their time is spent on substantive work fulfilling the intern program: finishing the intensive reading list, researching individually, and composing letters and commentary pieces for national newspapers.

NDCF's intern program is three sessions annually corresponding to college semesters and consists of:

The core reading list, which consists of key works on strategic thinking, especially from an unconventional viewpoint. Sunzi's The Art of War is a foundational book key to strategic thought. General Edward Lansdale's In the Midst of War introduces the analytical tools for approaching unconventional warfare. Other books, including Theodore Shackley's The Third Option and the Toeffler's War and Anti-War, relate timeless strategic principles to the confused post-Cold War world.
A letter to the editor, based on the intern's new understanding, commenting on an article from a major national newspaper.
A commentary article, written together with Major Messing, analyzing a significant threat to American security or the effects of American defense policy.

Not every intern completes all three steps, but the vast majority complete at least two, and leave NDCF with a publication on their resume and new ideas, not the sort they could have learned in school, in their heads.

Details

Applicants are generally accepted for an academic semester or the summer. Hours are flexible, but interns are expected to work between fifteen and twenty hours a week. They are provided a $7.50/day stipend to cover costs of transportation to our office in the Rosslyn section of Arlington, VA only a short walk from the Rosslyn Metro stop. Note: NDCF cannot arrange for interns' housing.

Apply

Most applicants are undergraduate juniors or seniors interested in careers with the government, military services, or strategic studies in academia. Foreign language experience and foreign travel are helpful, but not required. Interns are selected based on the quality of their analytical thinking and writing skills and showing promise for helping America's security.

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to ndcfhq@yahoo.com. Please include relevant coursework, and research interests. Alternately, mail applications to:

The National Defense Council Foundation
515 King Street Suite #315
Alexandria, VA 22314

Finalists will be interviewed, either in person or by phone.

Photos of Interns in action

September 2008 - Newest NDCF Intern Mariel Rodriquez, left, poses with former NDCF Intern Rachel Seitz who now is employed as a contractor working for the federal government in national security.
Click here to read Mariel's Letter to the Editor.

August 2007 - Two tour Iraq Marine veteran Aaron Ferreira and Devika Parashar are in the Summer 2007 class of NDCF interns.
Click here to read Devika's Letter to the Editor.

August 2007 - Aaron Ferreira and Sarah Gwilliam, Summer 2007 interns, prepare NDCF newsletters for mailing.
Click here to read Sarah's Letter to the Editor.
Aaron also published a Letter to the Editor of the Washington Times which will be posted shortly.

August 2007 - Former NDCF intern now US Army CPT Steve Katz, assigned as a Combat Engineer with the US Army 1st Infantry Division in Iraq poses with an Iraqi doctor and an interpreter as they sort some of the prescription drugs and diabetic test kits delivered by NDCF to support a civic action mission in Ramadi, Iraq.

July 2007 - Former NDCF intern now US Army CPT Steve Katz, assigned as a Combat Engineer with the US Army 1st Infantry Division in Iraq poses with USMC General Peter Pace, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Spring 2007 - Former NDCF intern 1LT Steve Katz, assigned as a Combat Engineer with the US Army 1st Infantry Division in Iraq poses with the Mayor of the city of Ramadi.

Fall 2006 - Former NDCF intern, left, assigned to unconventional role in Iraq poses with a British member of the team.

November 2006 - Pat Boone pauses for autographs after his speech at The Heritage Foundation. L to R, Pat Boone, Jim Martin of Sixty Plus, NDCF Intern Chase Bode and NDCF Executive Director Major Messing.

August 2006 - Major Messing administers the US Army officer oath of office to former intern Robert Paisley. New Second Lieutenant Paisley entered the Army Medical Service Corps and plans to attend medical school and become a Special Forces surgeon.

NDCF's Interns Greg Winger (left) and Jordan Evert (right) visit Fox News Television with Major Messing who was being interviewed about the Israel/Hezbollah Conflict.

NDCF's Intern Class of Summer 2003 in Congress with Representative Dan Burton, R-IN.
From left: Chris DesBarres, Dan Somavilla, Rep. Burton and David Riddy

NDCF's Intern Class of Summer 2001 with House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-TX).
From left: Mike (Central Florida), Justin (US Army ROTC Duke), Kristen (U of Richmond),
Congressman Armey, Adam (Tufts), Adam our Canadian (Queens College), and Michael (Pepperdine).

NDCF Interns get medical supplies ready for a mission.

Shown standing in the foreground former NDCF Intern 1st Lieutenant Patrick Keane in 2004 while serving as a US Marine Corps officer in Afghanistan. Patrick also later served in Iraq where he was wounded. He returned to the US in 2006.