- William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense...
- About The Perry Center
About The Perry Center
The William J. Perry Center, originally known as the Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies (CHDS), was born out of the first Defense Ministerial of the Americas (DMA) in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1995, a conference established by then-US Secretary of Defense William J. Perry to convene defense ministers from around the hemisphere to discuss shared defense and security issues. At the inaugural assembly, participating officials expressed two concerns: the need to strengthen ties between civilian and military officials in hemispheric defense ministries and the need to increase the number of qualified civilian professionals trained to deal with defense issues. In response to these quandaries, during the second DMA held in Bariloche, Argentina, in 1996, Secretary Perry proposed creating a regional center dedicated to training civilian defense officials and conducting educational activities to bring military and civilian leaders together to discuss important defense and security challenges. Driven by the consensus that mutual security was dependent on the stability of democratic states, as well as transparency and accountability in the defense and security sectors, participating officials agreed that only through openness, the free exchange of ideas, and greater trust could a more stable hemispheric and global security environment be achieved.
Between 1996 and September 1997, preparatory work for what became CHDS was conducted by a team from the US Department of Defense and the National Defense University which included consultation with regional stakeholders such as the defense ministries and civilian academics. Inaugurated on 17 September 1997, CHDS opened its doors. The following day, the Center's first event kicked off: a 2-day Hemispheric Conference on Education and Defense. Its first director, COL (ret.) John Cope, and two faculty members officially reported for duty in December. CHDS conducted its first three-week course, the Defense Planning and Resource Management Courses in March 1998. The Center also conducted the first of many in-region seminars in Bolivia that year.
On April 2, 2013, the Center officially became known as the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies (The Perry Center) in commemoration of its founder, the 19th Secretary of Defense, Dr. William J. Perry. In June 2014, the Office of the Secretary of Defense appointed Mr. Mark Wilkins as Director. In collaboration with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Mr. Wilkins initiated a strategic reassessment of the Center’s mission and goals that culminated in a new set of priorities for the future, including support for the Department of Defense’s Defense Institution Building (DIB) initiative.
Recognizing the need for stronger government institutions and more proficient civilian and military defense leadership in Central America, the Center will act as a catalyst to incubate, enhance and sustain transparent and capable defense and security governance institutions that encourage democratic values, rule of law, and good governance–as well as promote key defense strategic interests and secure security cooperation investments. The Center will accomplish this mission by building institutional capacity through the development of professional ministry-level officials, promoting civilian control of the military, and, with the support of stakeholders, developing and facilitating the implementation of national defense strategies and policies.
Twenty years later, the Center continues to evolve, using education, outreach, strategic communications, and research to achieve an expanded mission of bolstering partner capacity and strengthening trust, mutual understanding of US and regional defense and international security policy issues, and regional collaboration in order to ensure a more stable and secure hemisphere.
The Perry Center develops and engages the Western Hemisphere’s community of defense and security professionals to seek mutually supportive approaches to common challenges in order to develop effective sustainable institutional capacity, and promote a greater understanding of US regional policy.
LTG (ret.) Frederick Rudesheim
Perry Center Director
Mr. Jeffrey Murphy
Chief of Staff
COL Robert Alvaro, USA
Chief, Strategic Plans and Comunication
Dr. Scott Tollefson
Dean of Academic Affairs
COL (ret.) Patrick Mathes
Perry Center Representative to USSOUTHCOM
OPEN FACULTY / STAFF POSITIONS AT DSCA REGIONAL CENTERS
THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO OPEN TERM OR PERMANENT POSITIONS AT THE PERRY CENTER
INTERNSHIPS
The Perry Center’s internship program is an opportunity for highly motivated undergraduate students, graduate students, and recent graduates to gain valuable experience working on defense and security issues affecting the Americas. Interns will work in a multicultural and multilingual environment, regularly interacting with civilian and military officials from the Americas and other regions of the world. Interns will also have the opportunity to sit in on various lectures, courses, and professional development sessions hosted by the Perry Center and the National Defense University.
The Perry Center offers two types of internships: research and communications/multimedia. Applicants may apply to both internships if interested.
RESEARCH INTERNSHIP:
The Perry Center is seeking research interns to support academic projects, publications, and courses related to security and defense in the Western Hemisphere. Research interns will work with Perry Center faculty members, supporting the Center’s mission to educate senior civilian and military officials, as well as inform US policy and DoD activities in the region.
PRIMARY DUTIES:
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REQUIRED SKILLS:
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COMMUNICATIONS/MULTIMEDIA INTERNSHIP:
The Perry Center’s Alumni and Educational Outreach Office is seeking a communications/multimedia intern who is full of creative ideas and eager to contribute on a large scale. The intern will assist with tasks related to public relations, marketing, and outreach. Applicants must have excellent communication skills, demonstrate creativity, and understand the importance of attending to even the smallest details.
PRIMARY DUTIES:
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REQUIRED SKILLS:
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How to Apply for an Internship
Send a resume, cover letter, academic transcript, and a short writing sample (3-5 pages) to Emily Smith, Internship Coordinator, at emily.f.smith.civ@ndu.edu. Please indicate for which type of internship you wish to apply, as well as your work availability and research interests, if applicable.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, though the most successful applicants will have submitted their application materials by the following dates:
- Summer internships (May/June – August): April 15
- Fall internships (August/September – December): July 15
- Spring internships (January – May): November 15
If you have any questions, please email Emily at the aforementioned e-mail address, or call +1.202.685.4661
Worldwide events have prompted heightened security measures at all Department of Defense (DoD) installations. Ft. McNair is enforcing a 100% ID check, as well as increased vehicle searches, for all visitors. It is recommended that you allow 20 minutes to process through Fort McNair security, as these measures have increased the amount of time required to enter Ft. McNair. Please note that drivers with expired licenses and/or registrations will be denied access to base.
If you do not have a DOD issued ID (i.e. military ID, CAC card, dependent ID), DOS, or Diplomatic ID, you will be asked to present government-issued identification and submit a visitor access request at the Visitor Center. US citizens may present a driver's license. If you are not a US citizen, you will be required to present either your passport or an alien identification card. The following link will allow you to submit your visitor access paperwork ahead of time in order to expedite your entry to Fort McNair: https://pass.aie.army.mil/jbmhh/
The Perry Center is located on the third floor of Abraham Lincoln Hall (Building 64).
If using an internet-based mapping/driving tool for driving directions, we recommend that you use 1600 2nd Street SW, Washington DC, 20024 as your destination.
Note about parking:
- Unless you have been given a reserved spot in the parking lot directly across from the Abraham Lincoln Hall rotunda, please pay attention to all parking signs around campus, especially in the residential areas along 1st, 2nd, and 4th Avenues. Parking spaces are often at a premium, especially during the academic school year, snowy days, and special events.
Via I-395 N (Washington National Airport, Crystal City)
- Head toward Washington, DC on I-395 N
- Continue straight onto I-295 S
- Merge onto South Capitol Street SE / South Capitol Street SW
- Make a slight right at South Capitol Street SW
- Turn right at P Street SW
- Turn left at 2nd Street SW
Via Dulles Access Road (Dulles International Airport)
- Get on Dulles Airport Access Road, staying in the left lanes
- Merge onto VA-267 E (Dulles Toll Road)
- Take Exit 18 to Capital Beltway / I-495 N toward Baltimore
- Take Exit 43 to George Washington Memorial Parkway South
- Take the exit onto I-395 N toward Washington
- Continue straight onto I-295 S
- Take the South Capitol Street (Exit 9)
- Slight right at South Capitol Street SW
- Turn right at P Street SW
- Turn left at 2nd Street SW
Via MD-295 S (Baltimore-Washington International Airport)
- Go west on I-195 W (signs for I-195 W/Airport exit)
- Take exit 2B for MD-295 S/Baltimore/Washington Parkway toward Washington
- Merge onto I-295 S
- Take exit 3B for Howard Road toward Downtown
- Turn right at Howard Road SE; take the ramp to South Capitol Street SE
- Slight right to stay on S Capitol Street SE
- Turn left at N Street SW
- Turn right at First Street SE; Continue on Canal Street SW
- Cross P Street SW and continue on 2nd Street SW
To reach Fort McNair by Metrorail
- Take the Green Line train to the Waterfront/SEU stop.
- Walk three blocks south on 4th Street SW. At this point, 4th Street SW turns sharply left in front of the Fort McNair ceremonial gate and turns into P Street SW.
- To reach the 2nd Street gate, continue down P Street SW for two blocks and take a right on 2nd Street SW following the wall. The 2nd Street gate is one block down, on the right.
To reach Fort McNair by Metrobus
- Take a southbound 74 bus in the direction of Nationals Park. There is a stop in front of the main ceremonial gate.
- To reach the 2nd Street gate, continue down P Street SW away from the ceremonial gate for two blocks and take a right on 2nd Street SW following the wall. The 2nd Street gate is one block down, on the right.
Note:
- Between 0600 and 0900, all pedestrians in possession of a Common Access Card (CAC) are able to enter by the ceremonial gate. All others will need to enter through the main entrance located on 2nd Street SW.
- After 0900, only pedestrians in possession of a Common Access Card (CAC) and a turnstile access code will be able to enter the ceremonial gate. All others will need to use the main entrance.
- In the interests of personal safety please do not walk to Fort McNair during the hours of dusk/darkness.
Contact The Perry Center
William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies
National Defense University
Abraham Lincoln Hall
260 5th Ave. Bldg. 64
Washington, DC 20319-5066
Main
Telephone: +1.202.685.4670
Fax: +1.202.685.4674
Telephone (DSN): 325.4670
Fax (DSN): 325.4674
Academic Affairs
chdsacademics@ndu.edu
Alumni Office
chdsalumni@ndu.edu
Information Technology
chds1@ndu.edu
Protocol Office
chdsprotocol@ndu.edu
Registrar
chdsregistrar@ndu.edu
Strategic Communications
chdsstratcom@ndu.edu