Foreign Affairs Specialist (McCain Fellows)

John S. McCain Strategic Defense Fellowship Program

The Department of War is seeking applicants for the John S. McCain Strategic Defense Fellowship Program. The application period opens on May 21, 2026 and closes on May 26, 2026 at 11:59pm EST. This position is being filled under Section 932 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019, and its later amendments Section 1113 of the NDAA Fiscal Year 2024 and Section 1112 of the NDAA Fiscal Year 2025. Assignments during the Fellows program are to an Excepted Service position either in the Office of the Secretary of War or other Department of War Components. Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration. Typical work assignments may include the following:
Providing strategic research, advice, and analysis to senior leaders; producing reports, briefings, and position papers for the Office of the Secretary of War.
Developing long-term strategies; analyzing policy implications and impacts on plans and capabilities.
Serving as Department representatives to working-level interagency or interdepartmental meetings; preparing senior defense leaders for inter-departmental and interagency meetings, Congressional testimony, and/or bilateral and multilateral engagements.
In all job functions, incumbents will maintain strict security protocols for classified information, ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations.