This article is part of The Next Step series. While the four years at VMI are designed for cadets to push themselves academically, physically, and mentally to tackle the demands of life at a premiere military college, they also prepare cadets for life after graduation. Whether that life be one in the military or one in the private sector, VMI faculty and staff provide guidance to cadets along their journeys. One department specifically dedicated to that endeavor of post-Institute success is the Office of Career Services. In The Next Step series, we highlight cadets preparing to enter the workforce after graduation, as well as those still in the midst of their cadetship preparing for internships over the summer. 

LEXINGTON, Va. June 11, 2024 — Even before attending Virginia Military Institute, Connor Cherry ’25 always knew he wanted to pursue an international studies degree, with his sights set on obtaining the highly competitive national security minor. After an internship with the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) last summer, his interest in the field was cemented. 

The 1st Class cadet and international studies major from Mooresville, North Carolina, will be interning at the U.S. Army War College this summer.  

“I have always wanted to pursue a career in military intelligence through the U.S. Army and possibly a federal career pathway with a three-letter agency afterword. I believe this internship gives me another avenue of approach in understanding the holistic goals of U.S. national security,” he said.

He also applied to the Hertog War Studies program led by ex-CIA director Gen. David Petraeus but did not receive the internship.  

“Luckily the Army War College program fits with my needs for Army certified technology specialist training this summer,” he said. 

For his internship, he will be at the Center for Strategic Leadership, which is the U.S. Army’s strategic wargaming center. The internship will focus on updating scenarios that impact U.S. interests in Africa, Iran, China, Russia, and the Arctic.  

Specific responsibilities include working with regional experts to understand the security environment in these areas and to assess the implications for U.S. national security, assisting in updating existing geo-political scenarios used in the education of senior national security professionals, researching potential sources of conflict 12 years in the future, and develop recommendations for new scenarios. 

Other tasks for Cherry this summer include research, writing, and publishing on topics related to the internship, and participating in wargames, conferences, seminars, and meetings. Interns associated with this program will also develop videos and other injections for the scenario and help with other wargaming projects as required. 

“VMI gave me the opportunity to pursue my goals both militarily and regarding my goals with U.S. national security through the national security minor,” he said. “VMI’s strict rigor and discipline allowed me to lead the path of VMI cadets into the ARL Internship Program and working with their director and senior military college internship coordinator to allow other cadets the opportunity to expose themselves to the goals and processes of ARL and I hope to do the same with the Army War College.” 

To obtain this year’s internship, Cherry worked with Col. Spencer D. Bakich, professor of international studies and the director of the National Security Program at VMI. 

Cherry credits his parents for having a large role in the inspiration for his career and personal goals. He said both of his parents served as officers for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department for 30 years, which motivated him to pursue a career in public service.  

Looking forward, he hopes these internships will help bolster his resume to help him continue as an officer in the Army or hold a position in a federal agency.  

“I believe I have the choice in my pathway and the ability to decide the right career path when the time comes,” he said. “The perception of VMI cadets and their personal values I believe had an impactful role in me obtaining this internship as Army officials value cadets who go through adversity and hardships with strict standards at VMI.” 

Laura Peters Shapiro
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE