Back to School

Your humble host is making a career move.

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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.

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James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.

Comments

  1. Butch Bracknell says:

    MCU is lucky to get you.

  2. Congratulations!

  3. anjin-san says:

    Two thumbs up!

  4. Stan says:

    Congratulations and best wishes.

  5. DC Loser says:

    Congrats on the new government gig. Looking forward to your new discussion areas.

  6. Neil Hudelson says:

    Congratulations.

  7. Just Me says:

    Congratulations!

  8. Andre Kenji says:

    Good!

    Now I waiting for the tenure. πŸ˜‰

  9. legion says:

    Congratulations! They’ll do well to have you teaching future leaders.

  10. Ol' Nat says:

    Congratulations, and good luck!

  11. Moosebreath says:

    Best wishes on the new job.

  12. Scott says:

    I think that’s great. A change of perspective can be reinvigoratiing.

  13. Gromitt Gunn says:

    Excellent! Best of luck, James. πŸ™‚

  14. Dustin says:

    Congrats James. All the best in your new endeavor.

  15. gVOR08 says:

    Best of luck.

  16. C. Clavin says:

    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.

  17. Woody says:

    Terrific news, Dr Joyner. Congratulations.

  18. Brian says:

    Congrats, sir.

  19. inhumans99 says:

    Congratulations!

    Also, I am happy to hear that you are not walking away from OTB, and will post when time permits.

  20. george says:

    Congratulations and best of luck.

  21. Barry says:

    Congratulations!

    You will have to learn some new lingo:

    ‘Bed’ is a ‘rack’.
    ‘Floor’ is a ‘deck’.
    ‘Aircraft’ is [point up and grunt]

    πŸ™‚

  22. michael reynolds says:

    He’s just going there for the hot co-eds.

  23. al-Ameda says:

    Excellent, and I wish you well in all that you do.

  24. Moderate Mom says:

    Congratulations and best wishes for much happiness and satisfaction at your new job!

  25. Congratulations on the new gig, James.

  26. Franklin says:

    Excellent work, enjoy it!

  27. the Q says:

    Good luck Mr. Joyner!

  28. JohnMcC says:

    Adding my voice — congratulations to you and to the CSC for their wonderful new faculty member.

  29. OzarkHillbilly says:

    Hoping you find the new gig…. invigorating. I think that’s the word I am looking for. Anyway, my best wishes.

    tom

  30. dazedandconfused says:

    Heard the one about alligator boots?

  31. CSK says:

    Congratulations, and all the best to you.

  32. MarkedMan says:

    Best of luck. Looking forward to you whipping the entire US military into shape, starting with the Marines.

  33. steve says:

    Best of luck! Hope you dont have to move.

    Steve

  34. Matt says:

    Congrats!

  35. RGardner says:

    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).

  36. SC_Birdflyte says:

    Great! Nothing like facing a highly motivated group of students to keep you on your toes.

  37. Tyrell says:

    Best of luck.
    Are you up on how to use a Smart Board? Dry erase boards are out.

  38. James Joyner says:

    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.

  39. Joe says:

    Congratulations.

  40. mattbernius says:

    Congratz James, that’s an excellent gig — especially the no Tenure for anyone part.

    Is there any research focus? Or is it all teaching?

  41. James Joyner says:

    @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.

  42. PJ says:

    Congratulations!

    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.

    Big Government indeed! πŸ˜‰

  43. James Joyner says:

    @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.

  44. Rick Almeida says:

    Congratulations and best wishes, James, and welcome back!

  45. Fausta says:

    Congratulations, and continued success, James!