NYLF National Security

Future leaders in diplomacy, intelligence, and defense will enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn how governments monitor potential threats, prepare for crises, and plan for peace at the National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF): National Security.

Students will spend eight amazing days in Washington, D.C., putting them on the path to their future in the exciting fields of diplomacy, intelligence, and defense.

Make your world a safer place

At NYLF National Security, go behind-the-scenes of possible careers in national security, foreign affairs, intelligence, and defense through activities, including:
  • Interactive speaking events with experienced policy-makers, military officers, and veterans
  • Participating in a true-to-life crisis simulation to put newly-acquired skills to the test
  • Visiting various national security sites like the U.S. Naval Academy and the International Spy Museum
  • Exploring various careers by meeting with representatives from universities, military academies, government agencies, and private companies

By attending NYLF National Security, students can earn college credit through our partnership with George Mason University.

2024 Locations, Dates & Tuition

Washington, DC

University of Maryland

  • June 16-23
  • June 26-July 3
  • July 6-13
  • July 16-23
  • $4,195

What’s Included

On-site meals

University Accommodations

9:1 Overall Student-to-Staff Ratio

A Certificate of Completion

Program Highlights

Interactive Speaking Events

Gain valuable insight into current issues from experienced civilian policy-makers, military officers, members of the intelligence community, and veterans with the Wounded Warrior Project.

Crisis Simulation

In an engaging, real-world simulation, experience how the nation’s top policy-makers employ a crisis decision-making process using critical thinking, leadership, conflict resolution, and public speaking skills to tackle complex situations.

Site Visits

Discover the variety of Washington D.C.-area agencies, embassies, and military installations, and see the future in action at facilities like the U.S. Naval Academy, Arlington National Cemetery, and the International Spy Museum.

Career Exploration

Hear from cybersecurity experts on careers and opportunities in their field and meet with representatives from universities, military academies, and government agencies.

The Experience, Day by Day

Day 1

Welcome to the Fields of National Security and Foreign Affairs

  • Registration
  • Orientation and Introduction to Your Group
  • Group Meetings

Day 2

Our Nation’s Security

  • Keynote Speaker
    • Jonna Mendez, former Chief of Disguise for the CIA, shares her career journey and the various roles she served in the agency. She’ll describe her experience living undercover on several tours through Europe, Asia, and Russia, and how she applies her expertise as a consultant to the U.S. Intelligence community to this day.
  • Group Meeting
    • National Security Strategy Lessons
    • MyActionPath Career Assessment
  • Focus on Careers: Launching Your Professional Network
  • Group Meetings: National Security Strategy Lessons
    • Analyzing the 2021 Colonial Pipeline Hack
  • Diplomacy Speaking Event with representative from the U.S. Department of State

Day 3

Day of Exploration

  • Defense Site Experience
    • Visit the United States Naval Academy and get a firsthand look into the student experience. Learn about the academy’s history, educational philosophy, and admissions process while touring the campus.
  • Intelligence Site Experience
    • Go undercover to explore the International Spy Museum’s immersive digital missions to test your espionage skills. Explore the exhibits highlighting the history of spycraft including an exhibit featuring Jonna Mendez.
  • Group Meetings
    • Introduction to National Security Crisis Simulation
    • Presidential Election for Simulation

Day 4

National Security in Action

  • National Security Crisis Simulation
    • Apply your newly gained knowledge and competencies in the National Security Crisis Simulation, where you’ll collaborate and strategize with your peers to resolve true-to-life major national and international crises.
    • In your assigned role, you will need to manage competing interests and collaborate with your peers to answer the challenge. You will need to draw upon skills such as communication, critical thinking, persuasion and responsible decision-making.
  • Cyber Security Speaking Event

Day 5

Day of Reflection and Remembrance

  • Keynote Speaker: The Wounded Warrior Project
    • Challenges and Opportunities: the human impact of national security
  • Arlington National Cemetery
    • Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
    • Wreath-Laying Ceremony
    • Kennedy Gravesites
  • The National Mall: Visit to a Smithsonian Institution Museum
  • Tributes to Valor and Sacrifice: Tour of Our Nation’s Memorials
    • Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, and National WWII Memorial

Day 6

Day of Intelligence

  • Group Meeting
    • Leadership & National Security
    • Defining National Security Strategy
  • Intelligence Speaking Event
    • Hear from experts in the field of intelligence who will answer questions and share insight on careers and opportunities of this in-demand field

Day 7

Day of Defense

  • National Security Crisis Simulation
    • Assume the role of a diplomatic decision-maker and construct a plan to generate forward-thinking solutions to true-to-life crisis situations
  • Intelligence Speaking Event
  • Debrief Career Experiences

Day 8

Looking Forward

  • Forum Debrief
  • Closing Ceremony: Path to New Beginnings
  • Departure

This sample schedule of events is provided as an example of the overall quality and scope of the experience offered at NYLF National Security. The specific schedule, details, and site visits may be modified. We are continuously evaluating all aspects of the program and incorporating the most up-to-date health and safety standards.

Location

What some of our alumni are saying…

Every day, we were exposed to many opportunities to meet extraordinary individuals who were well-versed in their fields and wonderfully willing to indulge every question we asked.”

Dana C.

NYLF National Security 2023 Alumni

From the field trips to the phenomenal guest speakers, I loved it all. This experience educated me of the various career fields in national security and how to know which one is right for me. It truly was an honor to participate in all of the activities focused around national security.”

Juliet G.

NYLF National Security 2023 Alumni

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