Every year, UNG’s Institute for Leadership and Strategic Studies (ILSS) hosts a civil-military symposium. The symposium’s theme changes annually, but it is always connected to leadership and strategic issues. The 2019 theme was “Soldier-Leaders in the Age of AI.”
Speakers and panelists are invited from around the country to participate. This year’s guests spoke about the future of pre-commissioning education. Speakers included several nationally-renown authors and military experts, including Major General Bob Scales (Retired), former Commandant of the US Army War College, and Colonel Candice Frost, Director of Foreign Intelligence for the Army G-2. Each panel was livestreamed, and videos will be available on the symposium’s website in a few weeks.
“This year’s symposium was particularly fascinating, and well-received by the participants,” said Keith Antonia, Associate Vice President for Military Programs. “Our partnership with the Army War College Strategic Studies Institute was invaluable. We also very much appreciated the sponsorship of the Studebaker Defense Group.”
International cadets from UNG’s foreign military partner institutions and defense academies are invited to join the symposium each year. This year, thirteen countries were represented, including Poland, South Africa, and Vietnam.
Once the symposium ends, work begins on the symposium’s monograph. Speakers are invited to submit an article based on their presentation. Each article goes through double-blind peer review—an especially important step since each publication features authors from around the world. Collecting important and original research, this monograph contributes to the ever-changing conversation about modern military threats. Each year’s monograph can be read for free on the UNG Press’s website.
This year also introduced a science fiction writing contest based on the symposium’s theme. The winner, “Dear Mom” by Gary Phillips, will be included in the 2019 monograph, which will be launched at next year’s ILSS Annual Symposium.
The planning for next year’s symposium is already underway. Will we see you there?
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