Visiting Military Officer Program

FDD’s Visiting Military Officer Program offers U.S. military officers the opportunity to gain research experience on issues related to U.S. defense policy and strategy through a fellowship with FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power. The officer would work closely with CMPP Senior Director Bradley Bowman and have the opportunity to:

• Conduct research related to the defense strategies, policies, and capabilities necessary to deter and defeat threats to the freedom, security, and prosperity of America and our allies and partners;
• Author and co-author analytical pieces for publication in newspapers, journals, and online outlets;
• Discuss research at events organized by FDD and outside venues;
• Plan, execute, and attend meetings and briefings, as well as networking and professional development opportunities; and
• Support the day-to-day research and work of CMPP.

The officer must be able to commit to a six-month or one-year fellowship. Some officers can conduct short-term fellowships for as little as six weeks, depending on several variables. Fellowships can be in-person in Washington, DC, or a partially remote hybrid arrangement. It is the officer’s responsibility to obtain permission from the respective service to conduct the fellowship. Qualifications for the position include:

•  U.S. military officers between the rank of O-3 (Captain/Lieutenant [Navy]) – O-6 (Colonel/Captain [Navy]);
• A graduate degree in a relevant discipline;
• Demonstrated excellent analytical, research, and writing skills; and
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.

Each officer’s fellowship experience and research is curated to build on their experience and support their professional goals. Upon completion of the fellowship, participants are invited to join FDD’s National Security Network (NSN), a nonpartisan mentorship and leadership development program for mid-career national security practitioners.

Program alumni include:

• Maj. Scott D. Adamson (Air Force)
• Lt. Col. Robert L. Green (Army)
• Maj. Lauren Harrison (Air Force)
• Lt. Col. James Hesson (Air Force)
• Maj. Brian Leitzke (Air Force)
• Maj. Stephanie Mafrici (Marines Corps)
• Maj. Thomas Pledger (Army National Guard)
• Maj. Shane “Axl” Praiswater (Air Force)
• Maj. Jared Thompson (Air Force)
• Lt. Col. Dan Wood (Army)
• Maj. Amoreena York (Army)
• Maj. Liane “Trixie” Zivitski (Air Force)

All ranks and affiliations listed above are as of the time they worked with FDD. While at FDD, officers wrote on topics as diverse as Chinese drone sales to the Middle East, Agile Combat Employment, and tank transfers to Ukraine, publishing in major defense publications including Defense News, Breaking Defense, and Defense One. For a full list of publications, please see below.