Dr. Benjamin J. Fernandes

Dr. Benjamin J. Fernandes

Director, Defense Policy & Strategy, National Security Council

Dr. Benjamin Fernandes is an Army Strategist assigned to the National Security Council, where he serves as a director responsible for a range of issues, including war plans, irregular warfare, installation energy, military posture, and various other topics.

Prior to this assignment, Dr. Fernandes served in a range of Army Strategist positions, including senior advisor for war plans in the Office of the Secretary of Defense; Chief of Plans for the National Commission on the Future of the Army; Future Operations Branch Chief for a Joint Task Force in Afghanistan; study manager for the Army Science Board’s Robotics and Autonomous Systems Study; interagency coordination officer at the National Counterterrorism Center; and Army fellow at RAND. Before serving as an Army Strategist, he spent 11 years in various jobs as an infantry or intelligence officer in Alaska, Korea, England, Germany, and Afghanistan.

Dr. Fernandes earned his PhD in Public Policy from George Mason, MBA from Auburn, and BS from West Point. He was president of the Army Strategist Association, earned lifetime membership at the Council on Foreign Relations, and is an adjunct professor for National Security Technology and Policy.