USD MAIR Navy Testimonials from Previous Alumni

“The MAIR at USD is a perfect complement for military personnel. It is true today now more than ever that a basic competency of the military professional is an understanding of the international system and related issues. The IR program at USD meets this need and provides additional opportunities far beyond the scope of learning provided by formal military education and duty assignments.”

Patrick Dundon, Major on the Army Staff at the Pentagon in a combat arms/Special Forces (SF) immaterial assignment, working on Army Transformation issues as they relate to installations Army-wide. He next plans on attending Command & General Staff College at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (formerly the School of the Americas), with hopes for company command in 7th Special Forces Group.

"The USD program offers Naval Officers a forum to explore a variety of Defense and Security issues. It enhances your operational experience and allows for a greater perspective on the global security environment and USD National Security Issues. The biggest benefit is how we explore some of the non-traditional security issues that those of us in uniform do not get a lot of exposure to in our jobs. The result is a greater understanding of how the US military fits in as only one element of the complex International Security environment. I find that in my job at the office of the Secretary of Defense this well rounded perspective is valuable especially in our current “Post Sept. 11th environment."

Amy Kingston's Masters in International Relations curriculum was quickly approved by the Naval Post Graduate School as qualifying for the National Security Studies subspecialty. This allows for future unique billet opportunities in defense policy making.