2. Faculty Chair
Tad Oelstrom, adjunct lecturer in Public Policy, is Director
of the National Security Program at Harvard Kennedy
School. The National Security Program encompasses a
broad range of Executive Education initiatives, e.g., the
program for Senior Executives in National and International
Security, the National Security Fellows program, the U.S.-
Russia Security Program, the Black Sea Security Program,
and the U.S.-China Security Program. He joined the
faculty in 2001 after more than 35 years in the U.S. Air
Force, retiring as a Lieutenant General. He has command
experience at all tactical levels from Flight through
Numbered Air Force. Key senior command positions include
three different fighter wings in England, Southwest Asia,
and Germany; the U.S. Third Air Force in England; and
the U.S. Air Force Academy. Key staff assignments include
Director of Fighter Operations, Tactical Air Command;
Executive Officer to the Deputy Commander U.S. European
Command; and Inspector General U.S. Air Forces in Europe.
“There is no question that we, who now stand on the commanding
heights of what is widely regarded as the greatest University in the
world, helicoptered onto the top of a mountain we did not climb.
We inherited physical and intellectual structures we did not build.
We stand on the shoulders, institutions, and insights of centuries
of great thinkers and builders who came before we arrived — and
who have now departed. Fortunately we can stand on the shoulders
of Ernest May — but even from that height our sight is shorter
than his.” Graham Allison, Founding Dean of Harvard Kennedy School
3. THE PROGRAM
National and international security leadership
requires effective interaction among many
diverse groups, including military officers,
senior civilian officials, political appointees,
Congress, the media, and leaders from
industry and international organizations. In
order to succeed, it is crucial to understand
and appreciate myriad roles in the broader
policymaking environment. In an increasingly
interconnected world, policy and procedure
lines are often blurred, making collaboration
across traditional boundaries more important
than ever before.
“Senior Executives in National and International Security was the most thought-
provoking and enjoyable program I’ve participated in. The lively, intellectual
discussions between world-renowned guest speakers, faculty, and my classmates
continue today. The camaraderie between key leaders from military, government,
and industry has turned into life-long friendships.”
Rear Admiral Moira Flanders, U.S. Navy
The Senior Executives in National and
International Security (NIS) program
provides a forum for senior executives to
deepen their understanding of current
security issues and exercise their evaluation
and decision-making skills in a group of their
peers, all while contributing their own ideas
and perspectives. NIS provides a rich learning
opportunity that, with its dynamic mix of
participants and outstanding core curriculum,
makes it a one-of-a-kind program. The
program is an unparalleled opportunity for
senior government and military officials and a
broad spectrum of their peers to think about
security issues in an intellectually stimulating,
non-attribution, academic environment.
4. THE CURRICULUM
The program is a demanding two-week
session consisting of formal classes, discussion
groups, interactive seminars, exercises, guest
speakers, and informal conversations with
faculty, colleagues, students, and staff. This
range of interactions provides participants with
a well-rounded educational experience that
emphasizes working with issues in a very real,
hands-on way.
Some of the security- and management-related
issues addressed include:
• The global terrorist threat
• Security policy development and U.S.
security policy
• Global economic forces and their impact
on national security
• Regional security issues from around the globe
• Negotiation and leadership
• Space and cyberspace impacts on global
security
• Nontraditional missions and interventions
• Legislative, press, and civilian-military
relations
• Ethics and professional responsibility
ADMISSION
Senior Executives in National and
International Security is a two-week program
that will be offered twice in the upcoming
year due to popular demand. Applicants may
choose to be considered for the mid-summer or
mid-fall session. Any changes to the curriculum
will be driven only by faculty availability and
major updates in the international security
environment. To apply for Senior Executives
in National and International Security or for
information on program dates, application
deadlines, and tuition, please visit www.hks.
harvard.edu/ee/nis.
Admission decisions will be based on 1) the
desire to create a dynamic peer group that can
engage well in the classroom, 2) career track and
current professional standing, and 3) potential
for future public service contribution within the
security arena. There is no formal educational
requirement, but fluency in written and spoken
English is a necessity for the program. Because
of the high level of engagement desired, all
participants are expected to be free of official
duties while attending the program. The full
support of the sponsoring agency is required.
5. Past participants have come from, or risen
to, the highest positions in their respective
institutions. Examples:
• Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
• Chief of Staff, U.S. Army
• Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force
• Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps
• Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard
• Commander, U.S. Southern Command
• Chief of Defense Forces, Colombia
• Joint Secretary, MOD, India
• Senior Executives, CIA
• Deputy Staff Director, House Permanent
Select Committee on Intelligence
• Adjutant General of numerous states
• Ambassador to the United Nations
• Vice President, Republic of the Philippines
WHO SHOULD APPLY
The program is designed for senior executives
from the United States and abroad. Participants
are typically flag and general officers from
the uniformed military as well as equivalent
senior civilian leaders in government,
international organizations, and defense
industries. The group typically represents
the Department of Defense and its agencies,
the Department of State, the intelligence
community, Congressional committees,
foreign governments, foreign militaries, private
industry, and international organizations.
www.hks.harvard.edu/ee/nis
Early application is encouraged. Applications
received after the deadline will be considered
only if space remains in the class and if the
applicant compliments the peer group of
participants. Because the time required to
obtain a visa can be lengthy, we encourage
international applicants to apply at least
12 weeks before the program start date.
6. www.hks.harvard.edu/ee/nis
Executive Education Admissions
John F. Kennedy School of Government
Harvard University
79 JFK Street
Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
Phone: 617-496-0484
Fax: 617-495-3090
Email: hks_execed@harvard.edu
“Leadership and learning are
indispensable to each other.”
John F. Kennedy
