Department of AF Fellows Program

Since 1958, the Department of Air Force (DAF) Fellows represent a community of highly qualified leaders in the Air and Space Force pursuing an in-depth national security education through immersion in distinguished civilian institutes and key government agencies. As the top two percent of candidates selected for in-residence professional military education, Fellows are proven leaders at the tactical and operational levels, representing the spectrum of DAF career specialties to include aviation, nuclear operations, space, STEM, public affairs, logistics, financial management, law, human relations, and many others. Administered by Air University's USAF Air War College, DAF Fellows are integral to the mission of educating senior military and civilian teammates to serve as critical and strategic thinkers and national security leaders. Throughout their experience, Fellows are guided to develop their cross-domain mastery of air, space, and cyberspace while advancing the DAF’s capability to tackle national security problems. As result, the program develops senior leaders with a strategic understanding of the global security framework, civil-military affairs, and cutting-edge technologies. Meanwhile, relationships are deepened with senior mentors inside and outside the Department of Defense. Developing leaders who will navigate the future strategic environment, DAF Fellows compose the Air and Space Force’s preeminent think tank network.