ACADEMY ASSEMBLY
Since 1959, this annual conference—sponsored by the U.S. Air Force Academy and The Olmsted Foundation—has provided an opportunity for 150 qualified undergraduates to discuss topics of contemporary significance relating to American national security. Prominent academics, business leaders, government officials and non-governmental organizational members serve as speakers and small group workshop leaders.
STRATEGIC DETERRENCE IN THE NEW ERA OF GREAT POWER COMPETITION
The 66th Academy Assembly aims to address strategic deterrence in the new era of Great Power Competition, and it will take place 9-11 April 2025.
Past Academy Assemblies
Recent Topics
The Dragon Roars Back: China’s Return to the World Stage
Waging Peace on the Final Frontier: Shaping the Future of Space Policy & Defense
The City on the Hill: Rebuilding Democracy at Home and Abroad
National Security and American Polarization: The Competition for Truth
The Future of American Defense Policy
Inside The Wire: American Security and Cyber Warfare
The U.S. and Southern Africa: Progress, Potential, and Stable States
America’s Challenges in an Unstable World: Balancing Security with Liberty
Global Governance: The Role of States and International Organizations
Spreading Democracy: America’s Obligation?
U.S. Canada Relations: Bridging the Common Border
South America: Challenges and Opportunities for Prosperity, Justice and Security
Dismantling Terrorism: Developing Actionable Solutions for Today’s Plague of Violence
Recent Assembly Speakers
Vice Admiral Frank Whitworth, Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
The Honorable Alan Estevez, the Undersecretary of Commerce for Industry and Security
Dr. Henry Nau, Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University
Admiral Michael S. Rogers, Commander, United States Cyber Command, Director, National Security Agency/Chief, Central Security Service
Ambassador Michael McFaul Professor of Political Science at Stanford University, Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia, Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institute
Ambassador Jon Huntsman, Jr. Former U.S. Ambassador to China
Vikram J. Singh Deputy Asst. SECDEF for South and Southeast Asia Office of the Asst. SECDEF for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs
Erin Conaton, Air Force Under Secretary
James E. Cartwright, Vice-Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff
Recent Truman Lecturers
Admiral (ret.) Harry B. Harris, former Commander of U.S. Pacific Command and former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea
Professor Anne Applebaum – Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, Staff Writer- The Atlantic
Dr. Larry Diamond, Hoover Institute
LTG (ret) H.R. McMaster
Gen John Allen, USMC (ret)
Dr. Dan Caldwell, Distinguished Professor of Political Science at Pepperdine University
Dr. Hal Brands, Henry A. Kissinger Distinguished Professor of Global Affairs, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies
General David H. Petraeus
Michael O’Hanlon, Senior Fellow in Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution
Robert Kaplan, national correspondent for The Atlantic
Senator Alan Simpson
Senator Bob Kerry
Secretary of the Air Force, Heather Wilson
Delegate Information
If you have comments or questions about the Academy Assembly, please contact the Cadet Director, C1C Sophia Stewart.
Small Group Workshops
Student collaboration is at the core of the Assembly. Students meet in roughly 10-member groups to consider topics and work on projects related to the main conference theme. Distinguished experts in that field facilitate these projects, with the intention to present the project to the general assembly at the end of the conference. During the workshop sessions, delegates will seek to explore in depth a sub-topic under the guidance of their workshop leader. The keynote address, informal discussions and workshop deliberations provide delegates and senior participants the opportunity to learn from and interact with distinguished persons directly involved in our national policy making process. As always, this year’s Assembly will bring together a diverse group of scholars, senior government executives, theorists and practitioners.
Conference Fee
This year’s Academy Assembly will have no conference fee. In addition, all meals, lodging, and transportation from/to the Colorado Springs airport and the Academy will be provided free of charge.
The only expense that delegates will be expected to pay is travel to and from the conference.
Dress Code
The dress code for all events is business casual.
Contact Us
If you have comments or questions about the Academy Assembly, please contact the Cadet Director, C1C Sophia Stewart at C25Sophia.Stewart@afacademy.af.edu