01 / Welcome — new member intake
Welcome to the National Defense Society
Membership is open to enrolled undergraduates at any of the 10 chapter campuses. No major requirement. No dues in your first semester.
Action 01
02 / Procedure — how membership works3 steps · est. 1 semester
02.1
Apply
A five-minute form, below. Your chapter lead reviews it within seven days and invites you to the next meeting.
02.2
Attend
Two events in your first semester. Speaker nights, a briefing drill, or the winter tabletop exercise.
02.3
Commit
Full membership after one semester: spring placement cycle, fellowship eligibility, and a vote in chapter elections.
03 / ApplicationReviewed by chapter lead · 7 days
Your application is shared only with your chapter lead and the national Director of Chapters. Never with sponsors.
03.1 / Status readout
ReceivedDay 0
Chapter reviewDay 1–7
InvitationDay 7
First meetingNext Thursday
03.2 / Contact
membership@natdefsoc.org
Director of Chapters · West Lafayette, IN
Director of Chapters · West Lafayette, IN
04 / No chapter on your campusCharter requirements
Start one
Two new chapters are chartered each year. Applications for spring 2027 open in November.
04.1Eight founding membersenrolled undergraduates, any major
04.2One faculty advisertenured or tenure-track
04.3Recognitionregistered student organization on campus
04.4Charter applicationreviewed by the national board in January