Building a Career in National Security

What does a career in nuclear deterrence and national security actually look like—and how can students break into this field from outside Washington, DC? Join Paul Amato, a national security policy practitioner with nearly three decades of experience in the U.S. government, military, and nuclear policy community, for a candid conversation about careers in nuclear defense and national security. Drawing on his experience leading nuclear deterrence policy at the Department of Defense and his current work with the Center for Naval Analyses and Atlantic Council, Amato will share insights on career pathways, opportunities, and what students can do now to build a career in this challenging and consequential field. Paul Amato is the Principal Advisor for Strategic and Nuclear Deterrence in the Regional, Strategy, and Policy Analysis Division at the Center for Naval Analyses. He is also a nonresident senior fellow in the Forward Defense program of the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security. From 2016-2025, Amato was director of nuclear deterrence policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, where he and his team led all facets of nuclear policy development, implementation and allied extended deterrence. He oversaw development and implementation of both the 2018 and 2022 Nuclear Posture Reviews, in particular authoring secretary-level policy guidance on nuclear weapons employment. Previously, Amato led nuclear extended deterrence dialogues with the Republic of Korea and NATO. Prior to his nuclear policy work, Amato served in the Pentagon and overseas on US national security policy in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. His experience includes more than a decade as an attorney, advising clients on employment, compliance and litigation matters; and over twenty-eight years of active and reserve service in the US Marine Corps. He was twice awarded the Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Award and is a two-time Bronze Star recipient. Amat