Instructors and regional subject matter experts from the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) are embarked aboard aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) as part of the Regional Security Education Program (RSEP).

RSEP is designed to educate Sailors on cultural and geopolitical issues facing countries they may visit during deployment. Several professors, including Dr. Michael Rubin have embarked Ike to prepare Sailors to be better ambassadors of the United States.

"Through a better understanding of local cultures and societies, we strive to enable a better understanding of the region and predict the reactions of the local communities to the work Ike conducts in the area," Rubin said.

RSEP representatives are hand-picked by an admiral or captain and boast extremely specialized degrees. Rubin has a doctorate in Iranian history and handles issues on Iran and Iraq for the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

"We are selected on the basis that we can combine an understanding of policy, significant on-the-ground experience and academic expertise in the region to achieve our mission," Rubin said. "The goal is not to replicate the standard Navy lectures, but be able to spark a conversation and further a Sailor's understanding of how problems and conflicts are currently unfolding."

While most shipboard briefings are focused on tactical and operational needs, RSEP concentrates more on a geopolitical strategic angle. The briefs are not only designed for the staff or those making serious political decisions, but the younger Sailors who may be unaware of the culture in foreign countries.

"RSEP is designed to help everyone from the admiral to the new Sailors aboard," Rubin said. "It's an outreach program to help paint a picture of the customs and traditions of the countries we might visit on deployment, particularly the Middle East."

The RSEP representatives are more than willing to help out anyone with a desire to learn more about the Navy's presence in the areas of operation.

"We do have tailor-made briefs we present, but another very important function that we like to perform is that we're sort of the 'human Google' when it comes to all things Middle East," said Dr. Bob Rook, a speaker for RSEP. "There are a lot of people that catch us in the [passageway] who have questions that may not be specifically addressed in a brief. We are here to answer those questions."

With almost all of the world's greatest powers having a presence in the Middle East, the briefs give Ike Sailors a greater awareness of what is happening on a broad scale.

"We hope that when we leave the ship we will have initiated a conversation about the broader issues Ike will encounter in the region," Rubin said. "We want every Sailor to have a better understanding that every mission has a role in the big picture of national security."

Ike is deployed as part of the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, and is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe.

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