Army opens cyber strategic seminar to emerging leaders

WASHINGTON - The Army is accepting applications until Oct. 7 for the Secretary of the Army's Cyber Strategic Seminar, a yearlong, part-time professional development program that builds emerging cyber leaders across the military and civilian workforce. Now entering its fourth year, the seminar is conducted with U.S. Army Cyber Command and led by the Army Principal Cyber Advisor.

"Cyber is no longer a specialized field confined to a single formation or career path," said Brandon Pugh, principal cyber advisor to the secretary of the Army. "The Secretary of the Army's Cyber Strategic Seminar brings together Soldiers and Department of the Army civilians from across the force to build the strategic awareness, relationships and problem-solving skills our Army needs for the challenges ahead."

Selected participants will take part in a series of events, meetings and briefings with leaders from across the U.S. government, private industry, academia and foreign partners, gaining experience that strengthens written and oral communication skills and competitiveness for future leadership roles.

The application window is open now through Oct. 7, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EDT. A selection panel will be convened on or about Oct. 15, with notifications to applicants no later than Nov. 30. The first seminar event is scheduled for January 2027.

"As a company-grade officer, I entered the seminar with limited insight into how the Army, Department of War and broader U.S. government address complex cyber challenges," said Capt. Ethan McInturff, a cyber warfare officer and current participant in the seminar. "Through candid conversations with peers, senior leaders and industry partners, I gained a clearer understanding of the strategic considerations behind real-world issues such as artificial intelligence and defense critical infrastructure. That perspective will make me a more effective Army leader in an evolving cyber profession and have a lasting impact on my career."

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility spans the Total Army. This includes the Active Duty, Army Reserve and Army National Guard, as well as Department of the Army civilians, across all military occupational specialties, areas of concentration and career fields.

Eligible ranks and grades include:

Noncommissioned Officers: Sergeant/E-5 to Master Sergeant/E-8

Warrant Officers: Warrant Officer 1/W-1 to Chief Warrant Officer 3/W-3

Commissioned Officers: First Lieutenant/O-2 to Major/O-4

Civilians: GS/GG-09 to GS/GG-13

Applicants should be familiar with cyber operations, cybersecurity, operational technology, network security, artificial intelligence or electronic warfare. Additionally, candidates must hold a fully adjudicated Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information, known as TS/SCI, clearance, be available for temporary duty, or TDY, travel approximately once or twice per quarter, and meet all administrative criteria regarding flags, separations, permanent change of station, or PCS, and retirements.

How to Apply

Prospective applicants can access the application on the "SECARMY Cyber Strategic Seminar Program" Microsoft Teams page using the code listed in Military Personnel, or MILPER, MILPER 26-327.

Those unable to access the Teams page may email usarmy.pentagon.hqda-secarmy.mbx.pca-cyber-strategic-seminar@army.mil with the subject line "CY27 Cyber Strategic Seminar Applicant - (LastName, First Initial)" to receive the form.

Program questions can be sent to the same email with the subject "CY27 Cyber Strategic Seminar Question - (add topic here)."

For more information or to apply by Oct. 7, visit the Teams page, contact the Office of the Principal Cyber Advisor at the email address above, or visit https://www.army.mil/pca.