Defending the Homeland

The NSC Alliance is bringing together leaders to explore threats facing the U.S. homeland and what it takes to defend against them.
About this Event

Defending the Homeland

For generations, Americans have largely viewed the homeland as a sanctuary, protected by geography and distance from many of the world’s most serious threats. That assumption is increasingly being challenged.

On October 6, Defending the Homeland will bring together senior military, government, industry, and academic leaders at Washington University in St. Louis to examine the threats facing the United States and what it will take to defend the nation in a rapidly changing security environment.

Held in the Clark-Fox Forum in Hillman Hall on the Washington University in St. Louis campus, the inaugural Crossroads Confluence will feature General Glen D. VanHerck, USAF (Ret.), former Commander of U.S. Northern Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Drawing on nearly four years leading the commands responsible for defending North America, General VanHerck will discuss how the threat to the homeland is changing, how the United States detects and understands those threats, and what must be done to stay ahead of them.

The conversation will then move from the strategic picture to the people and institutions responsible for responding.

General Frank J. Grass, USA (Ret.), former Chief of the National Guard Bureau and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Major General Charles D. Hausman, Adjutant General of Missouri, will examine the National Guard’s unique role as a force that must be prepared to defend the homeland, respond to crises at home, and remain ready to deploy around the world.

Additional conversations will explore vulnerabilities beyond the traditional battlefield and the growing importance of collaboration among government, industry, academia, infrastructure, and communities in strengthening the nation’s resilience.

Throughout the morning, attendees will have opportunities to connect with leaders and professionals from across the national security community. Crossroads Confluence is designed not simply as a series of speeches and panels, but as a place where people, missions, capabilities, and ideas come together.

Students and emerging professionals are especially encouraged to attend. One of the central purposes of Crossroads Confluence is to introduce the next generation to the breadth of opportunities to serve the country, whether in uniform, government, industry, research, technology, infrastructure, or other fields that contribute to national security.

From the Heartland. For the Nation.

Crossroads Confluence brings national security leaders together with the institutions, capabilities, and people positioned to help solve some of the country’s most consequential challenges.

The first Confluence begins in St. Louis.

Agenda

🕑: 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
Networking

Info: The Confluence is about more than what happens on stage. Connect with leaders from the military, government, industry and academia, along with students and emerging professionals who will shape the future of national security.

🕑: 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Programming