The Iris Burton Bulls ROTC Fellowship (IBBF) Program is an initiative sponsored by the Defense Language and National Security Education Office (DLNSEO) that brings a diverse selection of outstanding ROTC cadets and midshipmen to Washington, D.C. for an intensive two-day seminar. This initiative supports a select group of academically accomplished and highly motivated student leaders as they incorporate critical language, regional expertise, and culture training into their leadership roles and career paths. 

This fellowship influenced my idea of how to be a leader by emphasizing the
importance of genuine connections, not just networking, and how to actually
understand people–especially ones that are different from you.

2nd Lieutenant Katie Hickman, U.S. Air Force; 2024 Iris Burton Bulls Fellow

Fellowship programming includes a national security seminar and a host of professional mentoring opportunities, such as meetings with Department of Defense (DOD) senior leadership, Service Senior Language Authorities, and members of military language communities like the Foreign Area Officer (FAO) and special operations communities.  

The Fellowship Program is designed to inform the participants of key national security challenges that will shape their careers as military officers, to mentor and support these future military officers in their career development, to build National Security Education Program (NSEP) alumni engagement, and to provide opportunities to showcase ROTC talent within DOD.