Political Science Department

Summer Internship Program

Currently the only opportunity which will take the place of a summer training cruise block is JINSA.  All other internships must be done on a not-to-interfere basis with summer training and in lieu of leave.  If you are not willing to participate in an internship instead of taking summer leave, you  will not be considered for an internship.

Most internships are unfunded, which means that interns are responsible for all travel, lodging, and meal expenses.

Available internships and eligibility for Summer 2009


1/C Midshipmen Only

1/C and 2/C Midshipmen Only

  • Joint Staff, J5 Middle East Desk (HUM/SS)
  • Office of Naval Intelligence (HUM/SS)
  • Chief of Naval Operations Staff, N51 Branch (HUM/SS)
  •  Office of the Secretary of Defense, Policy Plans (HUM/SS)
  • U.S. State Department, Office of Plans, Policy, and Analysis (HUM/SS)
  • Headquarters Marine Corps, PPO International Issues Branch (HUM/SS)
  • Eisenhower Center Summer Space Seminar (All majors)

Internship Application Procedure

  1. The application deadline is 23 January, 2009. 
  2. The Department point of contact for summer internships is CDR Gregg Garbesi
  3. All applications must be delivered to the internship coordinator's mailbox outside Nimitz G106.
  4. All applicants must have an Overall Cumulative QPR of 2.5 or better.
  5. All pre-requisites must be met. Do not apply for an internship if you do not meet the pre-requisite (you meet this requirement if you are registered/pre-registered for the pre-requisite for spring semester). There are no exceptions.
  6. All applications must include the following:
    • An application form.  A blank application form is provided below. Additional instructions are included on the application.
    • One (and only one) faculty letter of recommendation.
    • An approval form signed by your company officer.  The required form is provided below.
    • A short personal biography/resume.
    • A personal statement explaining why you are an ideal candidate for an internship.
    • A copy of your Midshipmen Performance Record (MIDPERF) and Midshipmen Grade Record (MIDGRADE).

Forms (click on form title to open):

Personal Statement:

Your one-page personal statement must explain which internship you would like to do and why. The explanation should highlight your interest in a particular field, supporting coursework and other experiences that qualify you for the internship. Explain why you are the best candidate for the internship. The number of activities you list will not necessarily set you apart from others, but an explanation of how those experiences enriched you as a person will. If you are selected, the statement may be used by the sponsoring agency to place you in an appropriate department. It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with a particular internship before you write the personal statement. The statement should not include personal biographical information, such as birthplace or high school activities.


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Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) (All majors- see requested skills below)

on the web: DIA

Total Number of Midshipmen: 4

Description: Midshipmen will be funded by DIA to work for four weeks in one of many internship opportunities based on the field of study of qualified midshipmen. This internship provides Midshipmen with an interest in the intelligence field to spend a 4-week period of time learning and focusing their understanding of a specific area of the DIA. Positions are available in the Directorate for Intelligence Production and the Directorate for Intelligence (J2). Midshipmen will serve as intelligence analysts in their areas of expertise, where they might prepare reports and briefings, or work as a target support officer or watch officer. Opportunities in these positions might help further Midshipmen understand not only in intelligence production, but also in a particular area regional focus.

DIA has requested Midshipmen with the following skills: US Government Studies, Political Science, International Relations, Foreign Area Studies, Computer Science, Mathematics, Geography, and Earth Science

U.S. citizenship and TS/SCI eligibility are required.

2008 AAR

2008 AAR

2008 AAR


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Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS)

on the web: CSIS

Total Number of Midshipmen: 2

Description: Established Naval Academy Internship program at CSIS named after Admiral Moorer. This internship provides Midshipmen exposure to the "real world" of policy-making in the federal arena. It is the type of extracurricular activity that adds a new dimension of postgraduate, real work experience to a young officer's credentials when he or she later gets assigned to the Washington Area.

1/C MIDN ONLY
Prerequisite: FP210 or FP230

2008 AAR
2007 AAR
2006 AAR

 


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Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA) - We are accepting applications for JINSA, but as of 12/10 2008, this program is not yet funded.  For more information about this program and to get the most current status for summer 2009, contact Assistant Professor Deborah Wheeler.

on the web: Jewish Institute of National Security Affairs in Israel

Total Number of Midshipmen: 6

Description: This in-depth internship throughout Israel is intended to broaden a Midshipman's understanding of U.S. foreign relations and the complexities of Israeli national security. Along with cadets from West Point, USAFA, and USCGA, Midshipmen will visit Israeli military bases, holy sites, the Knesset, and other sites unique to Israel. Midshipmen will stay in hostels, hotels, and on a Kibutz while interacting with Israeli soldiers, airmen, and seamen. All major expenses for this internship are deferred by JINSA. This internship takes places only during Block I.

1/C MIDN ONLY - This trip has received summer training credit in the past.

 
Prerequisite: FP210 or FP230, and FP369 or other relevant Middle Eastern Politics course.

2007 AAR:   Report 1   Report 2   Report 3   Report 4
2006 AAR
2005 AAR  


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Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) (HUM/SS)

on the web: Office of Naval Intelligence

Total Number of Midshipmen: 4

Description: This internship provides Midshipmen with an interest in the intelligence field to spend a 4-week period of time learning and focusing their understanding of a specific area of the ONI. Positions are available in the Directorate for Intelligence Production and the Directorate for Intelligence (J2). Midshipmen will serve as intelligence analysts in their areas of expertise, where they might prepare reports and briefings, or work as a target support officer or watch officer.

U.S. citizenship and TS/SCI eligibility are required.
 

Helpful information about ONI:  ONI Military Handbook

2008 AAR:   Report 1   Report 2   Report 3

2007 AAR:   Report 1   Report 2
2006 AAR
2005 AAR  


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NATO - This internship is currently unfunded and may not be filled (HUM/SS)

on the web: NATO

Total Number of Midshipmen: 1

Description: The North Atlantic Alliance was founded on the basis of a Treaty between member states entered into freely by each of them after public debate and due parliamentary process. The Treaty upholds their individual rights as well as their international obligations in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. It commits each member country to sharing the risks and responsibilities as well as the benefits of collective security and requires of each of them the undertaking not to enter into any other international commitment which might conflict with the Treaty. Interns work in one of the many NATO offices in support of the mission.

1/C MIDN ONLY
U.S. citizenship is required.
Significant travel expenses may be incurred.
Prerequisite: FP210 or FP230, and FP322

2007 AAR
2006 AAR  


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Chief of Naval Operations Executive Panel (HUM/SS)

Total Number of Midshipmen: 1

Description: This internship varies greatly from year to year.  See AAR for more information

1/C MIDN ONLY

2008 AAR


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Chief of Naval Operations N51 Branch (HUM/SS)

Total Number of Midshipmen: 4

Description: This internship varies greatly from year to year.  See AAR for more information

2008 AAR:   Report 1   Report 2   Report 3


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Joint Chiefs of Staff, J5 Middle East Desk (May be assigned to other area desks per J5 needs) (HUM/SS)

Total Number of Midshipmen: 1

Description: 2008 was the first year for this internship.  See AAR for more information

2008 AAR


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Joint Warfare Analysis Center - All majors (see requested skills below)

Total Number of Midshipmen: 4

Description: The Joint Warfare Analysis Center is headquartered in Dahlgren, Virginia, Naval Support Facility, Dahlgren. It is a premier science and engineering institution tasked with solving complex challenges for our nation's warfighters. JWAC uses social and physical science techniques and engineering expertise to assist warfighters in support of our national security. JWAC coordinates directly with the staffs of all Unified Commands, Combatant Commands, Department of Defense (DoD) elements, military services, and other government departments and agencies in order to protect our country and help our nation's armed forces accomplish their missions.

The Joint Warfare Analysis Center (JWAC) provides combatant commands, Joint Staff, and other customers with precise technical solutions in order to carry out the national security and military strategies of the United States. JWAC maintains and enhances its ability to conduct comprehensive technical analysis.

U.S. citizenship and TS/SCI eligibility are required.

1/C MIDN ONLY

JWAC has requested Midshipmen with the following skills: Software use and development, International Relations research, Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, Computational Linguistics, Database Management

See the 2009 JWAC Project proposals:  JWAC1   JWAC2   JWAC3   JWAC4

2008 AAR

 

 


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U.S. State Department, Office of Plans, Policy, and Analysis (HUM/SS)

Total Number of Midshipmen: 1

Description: See AAR for more information

2008 AAR


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Office of the Secretary of Defense, Policy Plans Office (HUM/SS)

Total Number of Midshipmen: 1

Description: See AAR for more information

2008 AAR


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Eisenhower Center Summer Space Seminar (All majors)

Total Number of Midshipmen: 4

Description: Students from USAFA, USMA, and USNA will be joined by students from MIT, George Washington University Space Policy Institute, and Oxford University. The seminar will combine site visits in Los Angeles, Colorado Springs, and Washington, DC with moderated round table discussions keyed to the visits.  For example, in Colorado Springs we will visit Space Command on the first morning, then hold a moderated round table that afternoon on issues like space weaponization, NATO space cooperation, the notion of space as a ‘contested’ or alternatively a cooperative environment, and so on. These roundtables will be moderated by leading figures in the space policy field representing different points of view. The emphasis will be on exchanges among the students. Our goal is not only to inform, but to build the sort of connections between future space professionals that will stand them and the country in good stead in years to come. See AAR for more information

2008 AAR:   Report 1   Report 2   Report 3   Report 4


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Headquarters Marine Corps, PPO International Issues Branch (HUM/SS)

Total Number of Midshipmen: 1

There is currently no further information about this opportunity.  As it is unfunded and located in Quantico, lodging and travel logistics could pose more of a challenge than the Washington, DC internships.


 

 

 

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Political Science Department • United States Naval Academy • polisci@usna.edu • 410.293.6850