Established in 1976, the National Defense University or NDU stands as a pillar of higher education. It is funded by the U.S. Department of Defense. NDU facilitates high-level education. It provides training and professional development for national security leaders.
As a Chairman’s Controlled Activity, the National Defense University operates under the guidance of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Vice Admiral Peter Garvin is the current president. The university is located on Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C. It is near the White House and the U.S. Congress.
The National Defense University creates strategic advantage. It develops international peacekeeping and joint military leaders. They also train other national security leaders. The curricula focuses on national security and national defense. Diplomacy, information management, and warfighting are also key. The NDU offers innovation and economic-centric education programs, plus cutting-edge research.
NDU develops critical thinkers. It equips them to understand and employ strategies. These strategies incorporate all elements of global peacekeeping. They also include national power. The goal is to prevail against today’s and tomorrow’s threats.
The National Defense University comprises several colleges and schools. These include the Joint Advanced Warfighting School or JAWS. There is also the College of International Security Affairs. The Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy is another. It was formerly the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. You will also find the College of Information and Cyberspace. It was formerly the Information Resources Management College. The Joint Forces Staff College and the National War College are also components.
NDU also includes programs like CAPSTONE, KEYSTONE, and PINNACLE. It houses research centers like the Institute for National Strategic Studies. This institute includes the Center for Strategic Research. It also includes the Center for the Study of Chinese Military Affairs. Additionally, there is the Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction. NDU Press and the Center for Applied Strategic Learning are other research centers. NDU also boasts extensive libraries. These resources are open to all students and teachers.
The acceptance rate at the National Defense University is around 65%. Admissions are based on entrance exams. They also consider students’ past academic records and grades. The academic calendar follows a semester system. Enrollment is about 1,500 students. The student-to-staff ratio is 20:1.
NDU Press supports education, research, and outreach. It is the university’s publishing house. Publications include the journals Joint Force Quarterly and PRISM. PRISM is The Journal of Complex Operations. They also publish books, case studies, policy briefs, and strategic monographs.
The National Defense University prepares military and civilian leaders. They come from the United States and other countries. NDU helps them evaluate national and international security challenges. This is achieved through multidisciplinary education and research programs. They also use professional exchanges and outreach.
The College of International Security Affairs educates students from across the international, interagency, and interservice communities. Its focus areas include counterterrorism and conflict management. Stability operations, homeland security, and defense are also key. They study international security issues. The College is home to NDU’s International Counterterrorism Fellowship Program.
The National War College provides education in national security policy. Students include selected military officers. Career civil service employees from Federal departments also attend. These departments and agencies are concerned with national security. It is the only senior service college with a primary mission. That mission is offering a course of study. It emphasizes national security policy formulation. It also focuses on the planning and implementation of national strategy.
The National Defense University stands as a unique institution. It brings together members of the military, government, civilians, and industry. It helps shape tomorrow’s national security leaders.