Commander Justin Matejka, national security affairs fellow at the Hoover Institution for the 2024–25 academic year, is an afloat officer who has conducted search-and-rescue, counter-drug, maritime migrant interdiction, and defense operations across the Western and Eastern hemispheres over a nineteen-year career. He recently served as the Coast Guard’s liaison to the US Senate. He spoke about why he wanted to be a national security affairs fellow and his plans for his year at Hoover.
What did you know about Hoover before you applied to become an NSAF?
I was aware of the significance of Hoover and its vast body of work in policy, research, and history. My interest and desire to apply was largely influenced from the feedback and experiences of previous service fellows. It also helped that Hoover offered a departure from the East Coast and intersection with the technology hub of Silicon Valley.
Aside from reconnecting and recharging with your loved ones, what are you most looking forward to doing with your year as an NSAF?
Being afforded the opportunity to delve into topics of interest with broad attention is what I look forward to most. I plan to dedicate time to researching and educating myself in areas of emerging technology that will likely shape or influence the future of Coast Guard operations. In that same thread, Hoover and Stanford offer broad interdisciplinary opportunities in economics, strategy, history, and technology that provide diverse perspectives. These perspectives will help shape my holistic world understanding as I continue to serve!
Have you met with your student mentees yet? What is the most interesting question they have asked you?
My mentees are incredibly intellectual and knowledgeable. They have impressed me with their depth of understanding of geopolitical issues and impacts. Their grasp of civics and the world comforts me in that they care about the future of our country. My mentees have asked many remarkable questions, but the most interesting had to be what technology can be employed to make maritime domain awareness more effective.
In your view, what is the biggest misconception the civilian public has about life in the military (or national security services)?
I think the biggest misconception the public has about the military is that we are only capable of doing “military” things. While we do speak a unique military language and have a nontraditional career path, our ranks are filled with incredibly capable and dedicated leaders, technicians, and thinkers.
Service is challenging, but I love what I do. It’s a privilege to have the opportunity.
Which Hoover fellow are you most looking forward to meeting/working with? Why?
I think the best part of Hoover is interacting with a variety of fellows. I don’t think I can pick one because I’ve already gleaned insights from multiple fellows in topic areas I had not anticipated.
What is your capstone/focus project for the year going to be?
My research focus is on the confluence and national security impacts of technology, mainly automation and artificial intelligence and machine learning, with near-peer competitor states such as China in the maritime domain. A secondary focus area is researching and building stronger ties with Silicon Valley in support of Coast Guard innovation.
What are you hoping to bring back to your service from your year at Hoover?
I hope to return to the service recharged, more informed, and a more thoughtful leader. I hope to maintain my connection to Hoover and share the benefits with other service members and leaders as we continue to shape the future.
What is America’s principal national security challenge today in your view? Why?
The common response to our greatest national security challenge might point to the People’s Republic of China, given its rapidly growing economic, technological, and military capabilities. However, I believe our most pressing challenge lies in strengthening our own foundation—making technological innovation more scalable, adaptable, and secure while modernizing critical infrastructure and our military. To compete effectively with near-peer competitors, we must build an industrial base that fosters rapid innovation, manufacturing, and integration, ensuring our technologies remain secure and resilient. Achieving this requires sound policy, clear strategy, effective governance, and, most importantly, the collective will of the American people.
