The Department of Defense (DOD) recently hosted a “Beyond the Battlefield” event at the Pentagon, offering university students and educators an inside look at its mission, priorities, and career opportunities.
This initiative aims to inspire young Americans to pursue public service careers in defense policy and international relations by engaging directly with DOD staff.
The “Beyond the Battlefield” event provided over a dozen university students and educators with a unique opportunity to explore the multifaceted roles of the military beyond combat operations.
Participants engaged directly with DOD staff, gaining insights into security cooperation efforts and policy development processes.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to inspire future leaders in defense policy and international relations.
DoD Comments
Jonathan Evenson, a DOD community engagement specialist, emphasized the importance of outreach to future leaders.
Beyond the Battlefield is an important element in the department’s outreach with America’s future leaders, showcasing the military’s many roles in defending the nation while providing a deeper perspective into the defense policymaking process,
he stated.
Engaging Future Leaders
Stephanie Sonkin from the Partnership for Public Service highlighted their role in coordinating student internships and engagement.
We hope to provide them with the opportunity to learn more about public service careers, pathways to inform whether or not they’d like to go into federal or any type of public service in the future,
she explained.
The program aims to create pathways for students interested in federal careers.
Strengthening Global Partnerships
- The event aligns with U.S. efforts to enhance national security through international partnerships.
- Students gained exposure to security cooperation mechanisms that support diplomatic relations.
- This initiative contributes to workforce development in national security fields.
- The program supports economic interests by fostering stable international environments conducive to trade.
A Student’s Perspective
Mael-Sanh Perrier, a student intern at the Pentagon’s Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy, shared his experience working on security cooperation policy.
He noted that his time at the Pentagon reinforced his interest in policy work.
I thought that Pentagon would be more strict, more stuffy… I found it to be a very fun place to work… The respect people have for each other… has been very impressive,
he remarked.
Additional Reading
Wrapping Up
The “Beyond the Battlefield” initiative serves as an essential platform for educating and inspiring future leaders about defense policy and international relations.
By fostering understanding among young Americans about military roles beyond combat operations, this program helps ensure a pipeline of skilled professionals ready to support U.S. foreign policy objectives effectively.
Sources: U.S. Department of Defense.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News™, an independent news organization delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analyzed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
