Briefing for Army officers (2010)

Seal of the United States Navy

Seal of the United State Air Force

Seal of the United States Army

In September 2007, the National Committee kicked off a program for mid-career officers in the United States armed services who have been fast-tracked for top leadership positions. Because these officers do not focus on China in their daily work, the purpose of these seminars is to provide them with a background on China and to brief them on issues not conventionally covered in their military training – issues such as China’s domestic politics, economic development, business and trade, foreign policy, rule of law, growth of civil society, environmental concerns and climate change, energy, and the use of soft power.

The Committee has brought together an impressive array of the country’s top China specialists to engage in thoughtful and lively discussions, first with naval officers in 2007, followed in 2008 with the United States Air Force and, in the summer of 2010, with the United States Army. In October, 2012, the Committee convened a second seminar for senior Navy personnel. Officers participating in the all of these seminars have come from a variety of posts and each bring unique perspectives to the sessions.

The United States Pacific Command USPACOM – the Unified Combatant Command of the United States armed forces responsible for the Pacific Ocean area) requested that the Committee provide similar briefings for 25 of is mid-career officers as well as a separate briefing for the Commander and several of his Combatant Commanders; the former took place February 11-13 and the latter on February 14, 2013.