The Executive International Studies Program (EISP)

The Apex of Enlisted Strategic Education

The Executive International Studies Program (EISP) is the premier professional development intensive offered by the School of Advanced International Policy (SAIP), the educational arm of the 9L Association. This elite program is designed specifically for high-performing E-9s from across the Armed Forces who serve as primary advisors to General Officers and Senior Executive Service (SES) leaders.

Program Overview

The EISP bridges the gap between decades of operational excellence and the complex requirements of the strategic national security enterprise. Delivered as a two-week intensive (In-Residence/Synchronous), the course provides a high-level, graduate-grade immersion into the mechanics of global influence.

  • Target Audience: High-performing E-9s across the Joint Force.

  • Format: 2-Week Intensive.

  • Academic Credit: Participants will be eligible to receive graduate academic credit for the completion of this program.

The "Specialist-to-General" Curriculum

The EISP curriculum moves beyond administrative procedures to focus on the "Macro-to-Micro" bridge of statecraft. Students will master the vocabulary and frameworks necessary to contribute to policy formulation and theater strategy.

Core Pillars of Study:

  • Global Affairs & International Diplomacy: An accelerated overview of the ideologies and power dynamics governing the international system.

  • National Security Decision-Making: Deconstructing the "Iron Triangle" of the NSC, State Department, and Pentagon to understand how policy moves from draft to execution.

  • The Strategic Advisor Model: Refining the ability to provide candid, expert counsel in high-stakes diplomatic and interagency environments.

  • Legislative Resourcing: Navigating the U.S. legislative cycle and the "Power of the Purse" to ensure mission requirements are resourced.

What to Expect

As an EISP student, you are joining an elite cohort of practitioners. You should expect:

  • Graduate-Level Rigor: Engagement with foundational texts and contemporary case studies rather than standard military doctrine.

  • Executive Networking: Collaborative problem-solving with fellow senior enlisted leaders from across the Armed Forces.

  • Practitioner Access: Guest lectures and seminars featuring retired Ambassadors, Senior Defense Officials, and policy experts.

  • Immediate ROI: The course culminates in an Executive Policy Brief—a final synthesis designed to be immediately applicable to your current command's strategic challenges.

Elevate Your Impact

The modern operating environment demands more than tactical mastery; it requires informed ambassadors of U.S. intent. The EISP transforms the senior enlisted leader into a strategic asset capable of navigating the messy, human reality of international partnerships.

Ready to lead at the strategic level?