Some Examples

Our work is best described through a few specific examples.

The Truman Project makes an immediate impact today. A Congressional Member wants to make America less dependent on oil, knowing that the oil economy funds belligerent countries and terrorist groups.  She asks her staff member to help her craft legislation and a policy position.  That staff member needs knowledge of the issue, well-messaged ideas to put in speeches, and help understanding the national security budget to fund new research and development.  That staff member, and others like her, are being trained by the Truman Project Educational Instiute in our Congressional Security Scholars program.

We build the pipeline of elected and appointed leaders. An army veteran in his 30s, believing in the crucial need to fight terrorists and appalled by what he witnessed in Iraq, decided to run for office. But the work to get elected in six years starts now. He took a Truman Project Educational Institute bootcamp to build knowledge of how to communicate a new view of national security to citizens in his heavily military district.  He and others like him are being recruited and trained by the Truman Project Educational Institute.

And we develop future generations of progressives with a deep understanding of security. In 2004, there were more voters under the age of 30 than over the age of 65. By 2015, this generation will make up one-third of the electorate. One of those future leaders was a summer intern with an anti-genocide organization.  She  knew that she could organize on campus; but she wanted to take her activism to the next level.  She came to the Truman Project Educational Institute to gain the understanding of the military she needed to make a real difference in ending genocide.