Candid World: Conversations on National Security

In this episode, we sit down with Scott Gration, a retired United States Air Force Major General whose career has spanned combat aviation, diplomacy, humanitarian leadership and the White House.A former White House Fellow and two-time wing commander, General Gration logged more than 5,000 flight hours and flew 274 combat missions as a fighter pilot.Throughout his distinguished military career, he held key national security positions including Executive Officer to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Assistant Deputy Undersecretary of the Air Force for International Affairs, and Director of Strategy, Plans and Policy at the United States European Command.Beyond the military, he served as Special Assistant to the President, the President's Special Envoy to Sudan, and U.S Ambassador to Kenya, later leading a global humanitarian organization as CEO. Drawing from the experiences chronicled in his memoir, Flight Path: Son of Africa to Warrior-Diplomat, General Gration reflects on leadership under pressure, diplomacy in conflict zones, lessons from public service and the journey from fighter pilot to global statesman.

In this episode, we’re joined by Associate Director of the School of Public Affairs at the University of Utah, Dr. Tabitha Benney, and the ACNSL Director of Operations, Justin Hobbs, to discuss the growing partnership between the University of Utah and the American College of National Security Leaders. They explore how this collaboration is creating new opportunities for students, professors, and professionals in the national security space, while also highlighting an upcoming panel that will bring together highly educated voices on today’s most pressing security challenges. Visit ACNSL's website and register for the April seminar here: https://acnsl.net/springseminar

In the first episode of Candid World, Jaya Kissi, an intern at the American College of National Security Leaders (ACNSL), is joined by Jacob Nelson, Director of Strategic Studies, for a conversation introducing the College. They discuss ACNSL’s mission, its broader goals, and how its work is helping educate and connect the next generation of national security leaders.For more information, visit https://acnsl.net/