JINSA Military Academies Program in D.C.

Since 1988, JINSA has sent groups of American military cadets to Israel for a three-week work/study program designed to give the future leaders of the American military establishment an intense, positive experience in Israel. As those of you who go to Israel know, there is nothing like being there to appreciate the Middle East’s only democracy.

The 2002 group could not go.

Since 1988, JINSA has sent groups of American military cadets to Israel for a three-week work/study program designed to give the future leaders of the American military establishment an intense, positive experience in Israel. As those of you who go to Israel know, there is nothing like being there to appreciate the Middle East’s only democracy.

The 2002 group could not go.

But the academies wanted JINSA to provide a related experience for their cadets and midshipmen. With some trepidation we agreed, and 24 U.S. Army and Air Force cadets and Naval Academy midshipmen, accompanied by four officers, came to Washington.

For two weeks they moved around town – the Pentagon opened the National Military Command Center for them and Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Doug Feith briefed them; State Department Under Secretary John Bolton provided an important briefing on proliferation policy. They went to Capitol Hill; the Holocaust Museum, where they participated in a program generally provided to law enforcement officials; the Industrial College of the Armed Forces; the U.S. Army War College; and the Israeli Embassy. They met an official of the Jordanian Embassy and a Palestinian who advocates political reforms in the PA areas. They met journalists, experts in energy and Islamic politics and culture. They spent a day considering the origins and art of the three religions of the Middle East. To cap off the program, they were welcomed in the White House with a now-rare building tour as well as meetings with Administration officials.

Was the schedule a tribute to JINSA? Maybe. Was it a tribute to the sure knowledge that these young men and women hold the key to the future security of our country and the world? Absolutely.

We are proud of our ability to provide a broad and deep look at the threats Israel faces and the resources it brings to its own defense. More importantly, we are proud that this program could focus their attention on the depth of shared values and interests between the world’s strongest and most important democracy, and one of the smallest – but crucial – democracies in a region otherwise devoid of political freedom.

The cadets and midshipmen themselves were thoughtful, cheerful, eager, good listeners and better questioners. So intrigued were they with the theory of Israel that they pronounced themselves determined to defy the droves of people currently staying away – and visit the reality of Israel.

JINSA will be supporting and subsidizing a future trip to Israel for them, and is pleased to contribute to the education of a uniquely important group of Americans.