Back to School
Your humble host is making a career move.
After nearly six years as managing editor of the Atlantic Council, I will be moving on to become an associate professor of strategic studies at the Marine Corps Command and Staff College on August 26th. I’ll be teaching graduate level national security courses to Marine majors, their sister service and allied equivalents, and civilian intelligence and foreign policy professionals.
The Council has exploded in size and impact over my tenure here, growing from a permanent staff of 17 when I arrived to well over 100, thanks to the leadership of its president and CEO, Fred Kempe, and a really outstanding team that he’s built. I’ll continue to remain affiliated with the Council as a nonresident senior fellow in the Brent Scowcroft Center for International Security.
After more than a decade outside academia, I’m excited to be returning to the classroom and, especially, to help shape the future leadership of America’s armed forces. Additionally, I’ll be happy to get back to specialized research and focus on defense issues rather than the more generalist role I’ve had in recent years.
In terms of OTB, not much should change as a result of this move, my fourth job change since launching the site. Marine Corps University values academic freedom and I’m free to continue giving my unvarnished analysis of current events, including military affairs, so long as I make it clear I’m not speaking for the government.
I’m making this announcement now rather than just waiting until the transition has occurred in the interests of full disclosure. Inevitably, the move is beginning to shape my reading interests and my thinking on events in subtle ways. I’ll change my byline and whatnot once the move has actually occurred.
MCU is lucky to get you.
Congratulations!
Two thumbs up!
Congratulations and best wishes.
Congrats on the new government gig. Looking forward to your new discussion areas.
Congratulations.
Congratulations!
Good!
Now I waiting for the tenure.
Congratulations! They’ll do well to have you teaching future leaders.
Congratulations, and good luck!
Best wishes on the new job.
I think that’s great. A change of perspective can be reinvigoratiing.
Excellent! Best of luck, James.
Congrats James. All the best in your new endeavor.
Best of luck.
I wish I could find the comment from one of the trolls a couple weeks ago about public sector employees…
Anyway…Congrats on the new gig.
Terrific news, Dr Joyner. Congratulations.
Congrats, sir.
Congratulations!
Also, I am happy to hear that you are not walking away from OTB, and will post when time permits.
Congratulations and best of luck.
Congratulations!
You will have to learn some new lingo:
‘Bed’ is a ‘rack’.
‘Floor’ is a ‘deck’.
‘Aircraft’ is [point up and grunt]
He’s just going there for the hot co-eds.
Excellent, and I wish you well in all that you do.
Congratulations and best wishes for much happiness and satisfaction at your new job!
Congratulations on the new gig, James.
Excellent work, enjoy it!
Good luck Mr. Joyner!
Adding my voice — congratulations to you and to the CSC for their wonderful new faculty member.
Hoping you find the new gig…. invigorating. I think that’s the word I am looking for. Anyway, my best wishes.
tom
Heard the one about alligator boots?
Congratulations, and all the best to you.
Best of luck. Looking forward to you whipping the entire US military into shape, starting with the Marines.
Best of luck! Hope you dont have to move.
Steve
Congrats!
I have to love your reverse commute (was waiting for someone to mention it, nada, is no one familiar with the Beltway traffic?). Than again, I don’t know Richmond Highway these days. Regardless, best of wishes in your next career, while maintaining a foothold at The Atlantic Council (nice parties and connections).
Great! Nothing like facing a highly motivated group of students to keep you on your toes.
Best of luck.
Are you up on how to use a Smart Board? Dry erase boards are out.
Thanks, all.
@Andre Kenji: No tenure in the PME system. It’s a one year probationary period followed by a series of 3- and 4-year renewable contracts.
@michael reynolds: Don’t ask, don’t tell.
@dazedandconfused: Ha.
@RGardner: Yep. 25 miles away vs 15 for the current gig but opposite traffic rather into it. Route 1/Richmond Highway can be a bear but still better in that direction.
@Tyrell: It’s mostly seminar-style teaching. I didn’t notice any Smart Board setups but they may well have them.
Congratulations.
Congratz James, that’s an excellent gig — especially the no Tenure for anyone part.
Is there any research focus? Or is it all teaching?
@mattbernius: Thanks. The focus is decidedly on teaching but there is opportunity and support for research. I’ll likely to continue aiming at the public policy market, expanding into places like Joint Forces Quarterly and Parameters for longer for pieces, rather than doing pure political science.
Congratulations!
Big Government indeed!
@PJ: The Council isn’t a government organization but a private non-profit. We get minimal federal funding through various competitive grants, but it’s a tiny portion of our income.
Congratulations and best wishes, James, and welcome back!
Congratulations, and continued success, James!