Defense One LIVE

Our events bring leaders and thinkers together for the best public discussions of national security.

Questions? Ideas? Contact our Events team .

Upcoming EVENTS:

Global Business Briefing

Wednesday, June 14, 2017 / The Watergate, Washington, D.C.
On the eve of the Paris Air Show, Boeing Defense Space & Security CEO Leanne Caret sits down with Defense One Global Business Editor Marcus Weisgerber to talk about how she is shaping the division for strategic growth.

Since President Trump’s election win in November, Boeing-made defense products — like the Super Hornet and Air Force One — have been at the forefront of the discussion. Come hear how Caret sees Boeing fitting in as a major player not just in aviation, but in space and even underwater drone markets.

Read more, and register for your spot here .

Defense One's Tech Summit

Thursday, July 13, 2017 / The Newseum, Washington, D.C.

The 2nd Annual Defense One Tech Summit will feature top technical thinkers in government, academia, Silicon Valley and beyond. We'll discuss how the game-changing tech of today will become the game-winning resources of tomorrow and paint a picture where commanders have more resources and capabilities to effect positive change and innovate for the future. The stakes could not be higher.

Also: What does the future of defense technology look like? This year at the Defense One Tech Summit, we'll give you a sneak peak in the first-ever D Lab. Read more, and register for your spot, here .

PAST EVENTS:

The Way Forward for Navy Cybersecurity

Monday, April 3, 2017 / The Gaylord National Hotel
In fiscal 2015, there were 30 million known malicious intrusion attempts on Department of Defense networks, many of which targeted U.S. Navy systems. For naval networks and ships, what once were threats have become reality. At this event, we’ll focus on the Navy’s changing cybersecurity strategy amid an influx of bad actors and cyber-adversaries. In addition, we’ll explore how other initiatives, including its pending cloud-first policy and the NGEN Recompete, may affect cybersecurity across the department.

The D Brief LIVE interview with Admiral John Richardson, chief of naval operations and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Tuesday, January 17, 2017 / The Watergate / Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Navy already is being asked to perform more missions in more places and at a greater pace than anyone expected just few years ago. With President-elect Donald Trump promising to expand the military, and perhaps asking for additional naval operations spanning from the Middle East to China's doorstep, we'll examine what the CNO wants for the Navy today and tomorrow. Come join the conversation and hear Adm. Richardson lay out his vision and requirements for the Navy, as a new president takes office, a new Congress begins, and the old Washington gets back to business.

Watch video of the event here .

Space & Satellite Communications Morning Briefing

Tuesday, December 13, 2016 / Ritz-Carlton / Pentagon City VA

Space is an increasingly contested environment. The DoD has decided that it must be better prepared to use space-based resources for global communications in a time of conflict. The US is at the forefront of current efforts to secure its advantage in space by building resiliency and redundancy into satellites and reducing dependency on GPS. So, what will the U.S. presence in space look like in twenty years?

Watch video of the event here .

Defense One Outlook: Helicopters of 2030

Tuesday, December 6, 2016 / 2425 Wilson Blvd / Arlington VA

The U.S. Army’s rotorcraft fleet of Black Hawks is wearing out at a much faster rate than predicted due to a decade of high-intensity operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2013 as part of the Future Vertical Lift program, the Army commissioned the demonstrator aircraft to bring in new technologies, materials and designs that will ensure this new rotorcraft can fly higher, farther and faster while carrying more. Tomorrow's helicopters won't resemble those of today.

On December 6, Defense One will sit with scientists, engineers and even flying car makers who are building next-generation experimental aircraft that could propel us toward a new Jetsons reality. And we'll talk to the decision-makers behind the scenes to discuss how the next generation of helicopters will get into the air and what this means for the future of national security.

Watch the panel discussions here .

The Defense One Summit 2016

November 17, 2016 / Marriott Marquis / Washington, D.C.

At the 4th Annual Defense One Summit, global security leaders will gather to explore three themes — Crisis, Conflict, and Continuity — as the American presidency shifts to a new commander in chief.

As the war on terrorism rages on, senior officials will sit with national security journalists to discuss their views, goals, and predictions about a range of issues, from daily combat in Iraq to the grand-strategy games of the great powers, and the challenges of managing budgets, equipment, and people as they shift to a new administration.

More here .

Defense One Summit Kickoff Breakfast: Leadership Briefing with PACOM's Adm. Harry Harris

Tuesday, November 15, 2016 / The Watergate / Washington, D.C.

Our special Defense One Leadership Briefing kicked off this year's Defense One Summit week as Adm. Harry Harris, Commander of U.S. Pacific Command, sat for an exclusive conversation with Kevin Baron, Defense One Executive Editor, on November 15 in Washington, DC. The outspoken Harris presides over the U.S. military's largest geographic command during a time of extraordinary and unexpected challenges, as China continues it's South China Sea build-up and concerns rise over two of America's oldest and reliable allies in Southeast Asia -- the Philippines and Thailand. Meanwhile, American forces in the Pacific are keeping watch over Japan and South Korea, responding to North Korea threats, while tracking Islamic extremism, cybersecurity, natural disasters, and maintaining the freedom of the most important shipping lanes in the world.

What's next for Pacific Command? That task falls to Harris, who studied at Harvard, Georgetown, Oxford and MIT, and whose military experience ranges from combat recon over Afghanistan to hostage rescue ops in Colombia, the air war over Libya, no-fly zones over Iraq, speechwriting for the Joint Chiefs chairman, and commanding troops at Guantanamo. Come hear Adm. Harris, on Tuesday, November 15, at Defense One's Atlantic Media headquarters, in the Watergate.

More here .

The Next Level of Defense: Supporting Mission-Critical Decisions with Data

Tuesday, October 8, 2016 / CEB Waterview Conference Center / Washington, D.C.

In the midst of this “Big Data Era,” the military is collecting massive amounts of data from a growing pool of data silos, from social media and sensors to back office and financial systems. More data available means more information the Defense Department and other government agencies can pull from and analyze in order to drive the mission-critical decisions that affect an organization in its entirety - from the future of the workforce and personnel placement to the larger acquisitions process. How are military offices collecting, integrating, and using the available data, and what does the future look like when it comes to analytical decision-making?

During this event, Defense One and top big data experts will explore the use of analytics to gather insights that will ultimately affect acquisition, human resources, mission support and other operations that drive the U.S.’s greater national security strategy. We’ll take a look at the various ways agencies can harness data and analytics to build and maintain a strong defense workforce and determine the operational solutions that ensure mission success and continuous progress.

More here .

The Next Level of Defense: Supporting Mission-Critical Decisions with Data

Tuesday, October 8, 2016 / CEB Waterview Conference Center / Washington, D.C.

In the midst of this “Big Data Era,” the military is collecting massive amounts of data from a growing pool of data silos, from social media and sensors to back office and financial systems. More data available means more information the Defense Department and other government agencies can pull from and analyze in order to drive the mission-critical decisions that affect an organization in its entirety - from the future of the workforce and personnel placement to the larger acquisitions process. How are military offices collecting, integrating, and using the available data, and what does the future look like when it comes to analytical decision-making?

During this event, Defense One and top big data experts will explore the use of analytics to gather insights that will ultimately affect acquisition, human resources, mission support and other operations that drive the U.S.’s greater national security strategy. We’ll take a look at the various ways agencies can harness data and analytics to build and maintain a strong defense workforce and determine the operational solutions that ensure mission success and continuous progress.

More here .

Cocktails & Conversations: The Future of Global Missile Defense

August 15, 2016 / Embassy Suites / Huntsville, Ala.

Missile defense, whose early luster was dulled by difficult and expensive development, has at long last emerged as a functioning technology sought by militaries across the world. Battlefield successes and ever-increasing capabilities have given the defense industry a growth area and put missile defense at the center of every bilateral relationship the U.S. has with other countries.

At Defense One ’s Cocktails and Conversations, come hear national security experts and leaders discuss the future of missile defense — from technologies and innovations to policies and budgets to current and future programs.

Details here .

Air Force Leadership Briefing

July 26, 2016 / Watergate / Washington, D.C.

U.S. Air Force Secretary Deborah James sits down with Defense One Global Business Editor Marcus Weisgerber to discuss the "Air Force in transition" beginning at 8:30 am ET, at The Watergate in Washington, D.C.

Details here .

Defense One Tech Summit

June 10, 2016 / Newseum / Washington, D.C.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter and some of the brightest minds in military and consumer technology discussing the future of innovation and national security at the Defense One Tech Summit on June 10.

Full line-up, agenda and video review, here.

Supporting the Warfighter: A Live Discussion

February 23, 2016 / Dayton, Ohio

The civilian workforce that supports U.S. warfighters is aging. How will the Pentagon attract and retain the next generation? Leaders from DOD, USAF, and DLA lay out their outlook in this Feb. 23, 2016 discussion with Defense One Deputy Editor Bradley Peniston.

Dr. Todd Fore , Director of Manpower, Personnel and Services for U.S. Air Force Material Command;
James McClaugherty , Deputy Commander of Defense Logistics Agency’s Land and Maritime section; and
Jonathan Witter , Deputy Director for Strategy and Support at Defense Finance and Accounting Service.

Topics:
• How can DOD retain skilled IT professionals who are so in demand by the private sector?
• What are the critical skills gaps and how do they affect mission support?
• What levers does DOD have to shape its civilian workforce, and what should change?

Watch video of the event here .

Maintaining Force Readiness in the New Era of Global Threats

Jan. 21, 2016 / San Antonio, Texas

Join us as we engage military leaders about building a military and maintaining total force readiness in the next decades. We will explore the impact of recruiting and retention on critical commands and developing top technical talent to execute the mission requirements.

BG Thomas Murphy , Vice Commander, 24th Air Force and Deputy Commander, Air Forces Cyber, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland
Robert Naething , Deputy to the Commanding General (SES2), U.S. Army North (Fifth Army), Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston
BG Peter Lambert , Vice Commander, 25th Air Force, ISR and Air Combat, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland
Bradley Peniston , Deputy Editor, Defense One

Watch video of the event.

Leadership Briefing

Featuring: Jeh Johnson, Secretary of Homeland Security

Registration & Agenda / December 7, 2015 / Washington, D.C.

On December 7th, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson sits down for a candid conversation with Defense One about the spread of threats from the battlefield to the homefront, and how DHS is working together with the Pentagon, intelligence community and other law enforcement agencies to fight the war on terrorism, stand up cyber defenses, secure U.S. borders and tackle other issues.

Defense One Summit

Recap / November 2, 2015 / Washington, D.C.

This year’s edition will gather top leaders and thinkers from DoD and beyond to talk about national security in the Age of Everything — when threats big and small require unprecedented innovation and flexibility. Stay tuned for registration, agenda, and speaker lists.

The New Era of Land Warfare

Event page /

In this new era after a decade of large wars, U.S. ground forces are engaged around the globe in smaller-scale counterterrorism and training and advising missions. But the U.S. military still must be ready for a large scale commitment of ground troops. How can they prepare for both?

Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges , Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe
Paul Scharre , Senior Fellow and Director of the 20YY Warfare Initiative, Center for a New American Security
Kevin Baron , Executive Editor, Defense One

State of Defense Acquisition

Event page /

DOD acquisition head Frank Kendall will unveil highlights from the third annual performance report that charts the progress of these efforts. The report will guide the course of future acquisition reforms long-term investments in areas including cybersecurity, big data, advanced computing, robotics, and other areas defense leaders believe will give the U.S. technological superiority for decades to come.

Frank Kendall , Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics
Dr. William A. Laplante , Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition)
Heidi Shyu , Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics & Technology)

Veterans: The New Battleground

Registration & agenda / September 29, 2015 / Washington, D.C.

Defense One and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America will once again team up to produce “Veterans: The New Battleground," an event featuring top leaders and experts on the most urgent issues facing veterans. This event will continue dialogue and drill down into impact areas affecting veterans.

Big Data: Anticipating the Next DOD Insider Threats

Agenda & Details / July 16, 2015 / Arlington, Va.

Patricia Larsen , Co-Director of the National Insider Threat Task Force
Mark Nehmer , Deputy Chief, Implementation, DoD Insider Threat Management and Analysis Center, Defense Security Service
Carrie Wibben , Director, Security Policy and Oversight Division, OUSD(I)

Watch the event video.

Force of the Future: Recruitment, Retention & Readiness

Agenda & Details / June 9, 2015 / Pentagon City, Va.

Brad Carson , Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness
Vice Adm. Bill Moran , Chief of Naval Personnel
Roy Wallace , Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel;
Paige Hinkle-Bowles , Deputy assistant Defense Secretary for civilian personnel policy.

Watch the event video.

Carson’s June 8 op-ed at Defense One: “ How We’re Planning the Biggest Personnel Overhaul in 45 Years ,”

Leadership Briefing Breakfast: Navy Secretary Ray Mabus

Agenda and details / May 20, 2015  / Arlington, Va.

Ray Mabus , Secretary of the Navy

Watch the event video.

Leadership Briefing Breakfast: Air Force Chief Gen. Mark Welsh

Agenda and details / April 22, 2015 / Washington, D.C.

Gen. Mark Welsh , U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff

Watch the event video.

Big Data for Defense: Viewcast

May 12, 2015 / Washington, D.C.

Paul Cohen , Program Manager, DARPA
Jason Matheny , Associate Director, Office for Anticipating Surprise (OAS), IARPA,

Watch the viewcast

Defense One Summit 2014

Agenda, details, and video / November 19, 2014 / Washington, D.C.

Gen. Martin Dempsey , Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff;
Gen. Raymond Odierno , Chief of Staff, U.S. Army;
Samantha Power , U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations;
and many more.

Defense One Summit 2013

Agenda, details, and video from the sessions. / November 14, 2013 / Washington, D.C.

Chuck Hagel , U.S. Defense Secretary;
Eric Fanning , acting U.S. Air Force Secretary;
Arati Prabhakar , DARPA Director;
and many more.