Interns are not considered NATO, STRIKFORNATO, or STRIKFORNATO’s MOU nation employees or contractors and are not covered under the Civilian Personnel Regulations nor the NATO Status of Forces Agreement.

STRIKFORNATO will not provide any monetary compensation to Interns. Internship expenses, such as food, travel, visas, Security Clearances and living arrangements are entirely of the responsibility of the Intern. Interns may receive emoluments from outside sources (such as scholarships or grants). For this matter, applicants may see the opportunities offered by Erasmus+.

Erasmus+ supports traineeships (work placements, internships, etc.) abroad for students currently enrolled in higher education institutions in Programme countries at Bachelor and Master levels, as well as for doctoral candidates. These opportunities are also open to recent graduates. This information was derived from the European Commission website (further information here), STRIKFORNATO recognizes the Erasmus+ programme as a potential means of financial aid but STRIKFORNATO is not affiliated with nor does it officially endorse the programme.

Travel: Normally, when STRIKFORNATO headquarters must be deployed for either training or operational purposes, interns will remain at the headquarters and provide support to the STRIKFORNATO Reach Back Element. However, if an intern voluntarily desires to deploy for training/exercises with the command, they must do so at their own expense and at their own risk, with approval of the appropriate Assistant Chief of Staff and Senior National Representative. Such deployment is at the complete discretion of STRIKFORNATO and will require the intern to sign an appropriate liability waiver.

Interns are required to have health insurance coverage. On their first working day, the interns are required to sign a disclaimer for insurance purposes, showing that they have health insurance. Interns are encouraged, but not required, to obtain insurance against other risks as appropriate.

A NATO SECRET Security Clearance is not required to apply, but is required to work on projects at STRIKFORNATO.

An internship can be terminated by either STRIKFORNATO or the Intern by providing a minimum of two week’s written notice.