Defense spending surged after the attacks of 9-11. The lion’s share of the defense spending was due to funding the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and in conducting antiterrorism activities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that the U.S. military force level will remain fixed at 1.4 million service members through 2016. Defense spending is expected to increase from $491.5 billion in 2006 to $542.3 billion in 2016 which amounts to a 1% increase per year. Spending increases for the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are expected to be a top priority for government spending.

The federal government appears poised to spend a large amount of money funding defense missions. One main defense mission is in the antiterrorism arena. Indeed, terrorists started the wars of the past ten years and the U.S. is taking a proactive role in preventing such attacks in the future. Such a proactive and preventative role will require more people who have training in intelligence and antiterrorism work.

The increase in anti terrorism officers and intelligence workers will very likely have to come from the private sector. If this area of defense is to continue to increase through 2016 new people will have to enter the field. Those new anti terrorism officers and intelligence workers can find a point of entry into their respective fields by attending a school focusing on strategic security. A few universities offer accredited degrees in the strategic security field (e.g., intelligence management, anti terrorism, protection management, etc) so the student will have to decide which one to choose from. All degrees are beneficial to have in the work force. A crucial factor in deciding their school of choice may very likely be the faculty. A faculty staffed with real veterans of the strategic security field will only enhance the quality of education and will allow the student to enter the workforce with the added wisdom that comes with years of experience.

A degree in strategic security, such as a terrorism degree or a degree in intelligence studies, has promise to lead directly to employment. This type of education can be so rewarding because the strategic security field continues to expand, even though the economy has been very slow. As such, a student in intelligence studies or a new graduate with a terrorism degree can probably find work directly related to their education. These new anti terrorism officers and intelligence workers will quickly be on track for career advancement because of having the right degree and the right faculty mentoring.

The take home message from the Bureau of Labor Statistics appears to be that jobs in the defense industry will be on the rise through 2016. This increase in jobs will almost certainly include specialties in the anti terrorism and intelligence fields. In this difficult economic time, then, it may be a wise choice for potential students to consider earning a terrorism degree or a degree in intelligence studies because this field will be looking for qualified workers through the near future.

Dan Sommer works for Henley-Putnam University, a leading educational institution in the field of Strategic Security. For more info on Henley-Putnam University, anti terrorism officers, intelligence studies, call 888-852-8746 or visit us online at http://www.Henley-Putnam.edu

Dan Sommer works for Henley-Putnam University, a leading educational institution in the field of Strategic Security. For more info on Henley-Putnam University, anti terrorism officers, intelligence studies, call 888-852-8746 or visit us online at http://www.Henley-Putnam.edu

Author Bio: Dan Sommer works for Henley-Putnam University, a leading educational institution in the field of Strategic Security. For more info on Henley-Putnam University, anti terrorism officers, intelligence studies, call 888-852-8746 or visit us online at http://www.Henley-Putnam.edu

Category: Education
Keywords: anti terrorism officers,intelligence studies