AUGUST 13, 2025 – Leaders from across the Defense Department gathered at the Pentagon, Aug. 4, 2025, to recognize seven top-performing student interns from the Virtual Institutes for Cyber and Electromagnetic Spectrum Research and Employ Maven internship program, underscoring the strategic importance of the VICEROY initiative in addressing the department’s most pressing cyber and electromagnetic spectrum workforce challenges.
Hosted by the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the event brought leaders together to celebrate the achievements of the interns and reinforce the initiative’s alignment with the department’s priorities to rebuild the military, restore the warrior ethos and reestablish deterrence. In attendance were: Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Emil Michael, Director of the Cyber Academic Engagement Office and Principal Director for DOD CIO’s Resources and Analysis Mark Gorak, Principal Director for Integrated Sensing and Cyber Kevin Rudd and VICEROY National Director and Director for Cyber-Spectrum Academic Engagement Chester Maciag.
“This next generation of researchers and operators presents a strategic opportunity for the department and our industry partners,” Michael said. “Their fresh perspectives on navigating a digital world and ability to quickly adopt and implement ever-evolving technology provide us an advantage in our mission to modernize our forces. The Department of Defense values bold thinkers. We need people who aren’t afraid to take risks, who move quickly and who adapt to complexity. These characteristics outline what is needed to support the warfighter.”
While introducing the interns, Maciag highlighted the value of real-world preparation.
“The department faces over 20,000 unfilled cyber roles today — many in critical mission areas,” he said. VICEROY interns aren’t waiting to make a difference. They’re applying their knowledge now, supporting warfighters and driving solutions where the threat is most acute.”
The interns in attendance were selected from among hundreds of this year’s VICEROY interns for their exemplary performance at operational host sites, including the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific and the Air Force Research Laboratory. Their work contributed directly to ongoing national security efforts — from operational support to advanced research in quantum-resilient cryptography, drone security, electromagnetic warfare and applied artificial intelligence.
As DOD seeks to strengthen engagement with emerging industry leaders and nontraditional partners, initiatives like VICEROY play a vital role in cultivating talent that understands the operational context and can bridge the divide between innovation and implementation throughout the defense ecosystem.
To bolster this effort, the VICEROY initiative prioritizes partnerships with fellow leaders in the defense enterprise with a similar mindset. Launching the initiative in collaboration with the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate, VICEROY continues to benefit from AFRL-RI’s pioneering leadership in cyber education, leveraging resources and expertise unique to their organization. Partnerships with academic institutions, DOD internship host sites, organizations like the Pacific Intelligence Innovation Initiative, the Defense Innovation Unit and AFRL-RI, continue to support VICEROY’s mission to bridge the gap between research and readiness — embedding interns into the department’s research and development enterprise and strengthening the nation’s defense posture through people.
“Harnessing the American spirit and building the pipeline of skilled, dual-fluency talent with authentic experience and expertise in both the tech sector and national security is a critical differentiator for the United States,” noted Director of DIU Doug Beck. “DIU is proud to support the VICEROY program alongside our Defense Department teammates, helping the department access, grow, train and retain the best and brightest and building our defense tech ecosystem so we can meet the strategic imperatives facing the United States, now and in the future.”
During the event, each intern received a VICEROY challenge coin from Michael — a symbol of the department’s gratitude and recognition of their contributions to the mission.
“VICEROY has transformed you into exactly the kind of candidate the Department of Defense is actively seeking,” Gorak said. “Every day you spent in this program has built your competitive advantage. You now carry experience, clearances and a mission-first mindset that sets you apart.”
During his final remarks, Maciag told the scholars, “VICEROY will remain essential as the department continues to rebuild the military by aligning emerging threats with technical capability. We are forging the next generation of cyber and spectrum leaders — individuals who understand global context, master advanced technologies and [who] are ready to deliver operational impact on Day 1.”
By Cyber-Spectrum Academic Engagement Office