Lint Center’s 'Quest for Knowledge' Scholarship:

Christopher J. Coffland

($500)

The Lint Center is pleased to announce the dedication of its ‘Quest for Knowledge' scholarship to honor United States Army, Corporal Christopher J. Coffland. CPL Coffland was assigned to the 323rd Military Intelligence Battalion and was killed in action during Operation Enduring Freedom in Wardak Province, Afghanistan on November 13, 2009. A dedicated, brave and courageous American, CPL Coffland received two Bronze Stars for bravery and a Purple Heart among other medals for his service.

(Choose one of the following)

Topic: Intelligence Analysis (recommended)

Optimal intelligence analysis requires that analysts understand, appreciate and value numerous factors of significant consequence.  One of these vital elements is having a proper understanding of an opposing forces culture, history, and society.  In other words, a good analyst must know the key differentiating factors from his or her own native culture.

Cultural relativism is a common pitfall and a serious impediment to enhancing America’s intelligence analysis.  To thwart this weakness cultural understanding and increased cultural awareness by analysts is vital to the longevity and success of intelligence assessment and collection. The ability to collect, analyze and conduct intelligence operations (including counterintelligence) have been hindered many times by a lack of understanding the enemy/target culture.

Please consider writing an essay addressing some or all the points listed below:

• How can American intelligence stay ahead of opposition forces with increased cultural understanding?
• How can America better understand, anticipate, and counter opposing forces commander’s decision making cycle?
• Ultimately, what would allow American commanders to disrupt the enemy decision cycle?  Remember, American intelligence organizations cannot unilaterally increase operating budget and must find cost-effective, budget neutral solutions to improve capability (Congress controls the purse strings).

Topic: General Essay (alternate)

Please consider writing an essay on a specific issue of consequence and particular interest which addresses a pertinent topic directly related to national security, strategic studies, cultural awareness, and or diplomacy.

The Lint Center would like to thank the kind donor for making this scholarship possible and selecting the above topics.

Key Benefits

• Help smart innovative scholars to attend college and contribute to National Security, Freedom and build better alliances
• Create a forum for idea generation to aid national security through the use of alternate methods
• Assist scholars in getting published
• Give back to society, create an understanding of other cultures, and National Security
• Mentor and help those that may help the nation and freedom in the future

Capabilities

Capability 1
This program is offered to help further the education and career development of scholars, especially in the areas of International Affairs and National Security. Workers in these fields and their children are  encouraged to apply with the goal of improving national security and global understanding.

Capability 2
This scholarship will have a submission date of 31 July.  Scholarship funds are intended for the cost of tuition and fees for classes only. Room and Board will not be funded. Candidates who do not win this Scholarship will be eligible for other scholarships such as the Virginia Misselhorn Memorial Scholarship and Jim and Anna Hyonjoo Lint Scholarship.

Capability 3
Publish scholar's papers on National Security at Lint Center for National Security Studies. In addition to the monetary award, a National Security Professional  is available to mentor the award winner, if requested.

CAPSTONE Essay:  Prepare an 600-800 word essay in English fully explaining one of the goals or concepts of The Lint Center for National Security Studies. This must be your thoughts, feelings, ideas or experiences pertaining to National Security, Alliance Building, and/or National Defense. Ground-breaking innovative ideas/solutions are desired.  Essays will be judged on scholarly rigor, creativity and innovation. Authors are encouraged to be interdisciplinary in their thinking. The author of the essay will be judged by former current and former national security practitioners. Write an essay with the primary focus on the above topics.

 [Not to be included in the document word count is a complete bibliography along with standard collegiate-style footnotes to illustrate and highlight your thought processes and supportive corollary visual aids.  Use of bar charts, graphs and other illustrations to include video or CGI materials must also include any copyright notifications and usage permissions, if required, and must be concise and directly related to your submitted material]

Scholarship Application

Application PDF scanned submission closure date: 31 July 

Our Mission:

Mission Statement:
The mission of the Lint Center for National Security Studies is to foster and further the educational development and opportunities for the next generation of America’s Counterintelligence and National Security Workers.  The Center focuses on empowering individuals, enhancing the study of national security issues, and enabling emerging leaders to be mentored by established current-and-former industry experts.

Description:
The Lint Center for National Security Studies, Inc., founded in 2007, is a private non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization created to award merit-based scholarships for Counterintelligence and National Security Workers, their children and scholars, and to advance the study of National Security, cross-cultural studies, and global understanding.
The Center aims to:

All donations and contributions to the Lint Center are allocated solely to the Center’s scholarship funds. All actions and activities by the Lint Center are conducted by unpaid staff and volunteers. The Center is Veteran and minority operated and managed.