Dates: Sept. 21–Nov. 6, 2026 (7 weeks)

Learning Objectives:

• Week 1: Strategy and policy development
• Week 2: Emerging technologies—AI, quantum computing, additive manufacturing, and autonomous systems
• Week 3: Strategic competition in the space domain, military doctrine, and multinational frameworks
• Week 4: Workshops and consultations to develop solutions aligned with participants’ organizational needs
• Weeks 5–7: Electives, simulations, and tabletop exercises to reinforce skills from earlier weeks

The Marshall Center’s resident courses are designed to build strategic competencies through lectures, seminars, workshops, simulations, and individual consultations. By the end of each course, participants will:

• Understand core concepts of strategy and policy
• Apply those concepts to analyze the strategic environment
• Develop actionable plans using the DOTMLPF-P framework: doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership, personnel, facilities, and policy

The ideal candidate for this in-resident course is a junior-level security professional with the following characteristics:

• Approximately five to 10 years of experience in security-related fields, including offices of heads of state and government; ministries of defense, interior, foreign affairs, technology, and economic development; justice and law enforcement; finance; aerospace authorities; industry; academia; international and regional organizations; and non-governmental organizations
• A basic understanding of security and defense matters and related processes
• A professional or personal interest in strategy and policy development
• A general need for applying course skills to adapt to emerging security issues and technologies for national and collective defense, as well as strengthening resilience and the defense industrial base
• Military candidates should hold the ranks of major to lieutenant colonel (NATO OF-3 to OF-4); candidates with less experience (two to three years, NATO OF-2) may be considered

The course is offered in English only. A minimum score of 80 on the English Comprehension Level (ECL) test, or an equivalent score on the ALCPT, NATO STANAG, TOEFL, CEFR, or university-level English courses, is required.