National Defense University

Educating for Warfighting Advantage: NDU Welcomes Under Secretary Elbridge Colby 🏛️🎙️

The National Defense University (NDU) hosted Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby as part of the National War College ’s (NWC) Kennan Lecture Series on May 19. NDU President VADM Peter Garvin and NWC Commandant RDML Chase D. Patrick welcomed Under Secretary Colby for an important address to students, faculty, and staff on Department of War priorities.

As the premier institution for joint professional military education, NDU bridges the gap between high-level policy and strategic ex*****on. Under Secretary Colby’s address gave our future senior commanders and national security leaders first-hand insights into strategy formulation at the highest level of the Department.

Key themes from the Under Secretary’s address:

✅ Military-Strategic Framework: The right strategy requires the disciplined alignment of military ends, ways, and means and contains the following elements:

✅ Denial Defense: Deny an opponent the ability to seize and hold the key territory of a U.S. ally or partner.

✅ Favorable Escalation Management: Place the costs and risks of initiating escalation on the opponent, keep them there, and progressively increase them.

✅ Binding Strategy: Structure the conflict so that an opponent’s attempts to escalate strengthen cohesion, deepen resolve, and reinforce opposition to aggression.

At NDU, we do not educate for the sake of education, but to guarantee national security. Direct access to our Nation’s policymakers ensures our graduates return to the Joint Force ready to outthink, out-decide, and outfight any adversary.

Read Under Secretary Colby’s speech. Check comments for link.

🌐 The Nexus of Strategy: Under Secretary Colby underscored that the right military-strategic framework needs three core elements: (1) denial defense, (2) favorable escalation management, and (3) a binding strategy. What else do you think is critical to include in a successful strategy? Share your perspective.

Honoring the Fallen: A Day of Remembrance 🇺🇸 🙏

Today, the pauses to remember and honor the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.

Memorial Day is a solemn reminder of the price of freedom. For many of our students, faculty, and staff, this day is deeply personal. We pay respect to the memory of friends, teammates, and loved ones who are no longer with us, whose legacy inspires the next generation to dedicate themselves to protecting our Nation.

May we never forget.

Mark Your Calendars! 🗓️🎓 Three graduations, one university!

The 2026 graduation season is almost here. Join us in celebrating the achievements of the National Defense University’s graduating class.

✅On June 4 at 10:00am, the College of International Security Affairs’ (CISA) Joint Special Operations Master of Arts (JSOMA) graduation will be held at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina.

✅On June 11 at 10:00 AM, the Eisenhower School (ES), College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC), College of International Security Affairs (CISA), and National War College (NWC) graduation will be held at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C.

✅On June 12 at 10:00 AM, the Joint Forces Staff College’s Joint Advanced Warfighting School (JAWS) graduation will be held at NSA Hampton Roads in Norfolk, VA.

We honor the hard work and commitment of our students, faculty, and families.

➡️🎉 Show your enthusiasm and support for this year’s graduates. Like, share, and comment ‘congratulations ’ to show your support for this year’s graduates!

Can’t join us in person? Follow NDU for updates, pre-graduation messages, livestreaming links, and more.

Strategy Meets Industry at the National Defense University’s Eisenhower School 🏛️⚙️

Last week, the Nation Defense University (NDU) was the place where resource strategists and private sector leaders met face-to-face. The Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy (ES) and the National Defense University Foundation proudly co-hosted 'Connection to Industry Day' on May 12 and 'Industry Distinguished Visitor Day' on May 15. These events were the culmination of a year of rigorous study, during which ES students undertook an intense examination of 19 industry sectors and traveled to sites across the United States and 20 nations. Last week, the students partnered with private sector leaders to address issues in those 19 sectors as well as the general erosion of U.S. industrial capacity.

The importance of these engagements for the next generation of strategic leaders:

✅ Global Industrial Analysis: Students applied insights gained from domestic and international field studies to real-world industrial base vulnerabilities.

✅ Strategic Resource Management: The week’s events fostered deep analysis and innovative approaches to issues in 19 critical industry sectors essential to national security.

✅ Senior Leadership Engagement: Industry executives and national security leaders collaborated to bridge the gap between policy and industrial capacity.

➡️ These engagements furthered NDU’s mission: educating not for the sake of education, but to guarantee national security. And these insights show us the hard work and dedication of the 2026 graduating class.

🎓Are you ready to watch them take the stage to cap a year of sustained, demonstrated excellence in an environment of academic rigor?

📆 Stay tuned for more information on 2026 graduation ceremony at Ft. McNair.

National Defense University Welcomes NATO Defense College!

On May 6, the National Defense University (NDU) hosted a delegation from the NATO Defense College 's (NDC) Senior Officer Course for discussions on U.S. and European defense priorities and the evolving global security environment.

NDU President VADM Peter Garvin, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. James Lepse, and Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS) Director (INSS), Dr. Denise Natali, welcomed NDC Dean Dr. Suzanne Nielsen and NDC Academic Chief, BG Ferenc Molnar.

The discussions brought together experts from INSS, the College of Information and Cyberspace - National Defense University, Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, National War College, and the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies.

The visit highlighted NDU’s global partnerships that support our mission to educate for warfighting advantage to win in competition, crisis, and conflict.

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Global security requires global partnerships. 🏛️🌍 What do you believe is the greatest strategic benefit of international educational exchanges like this one? Let's discuss below. 👇

Strategic Lethality and DOW Priorities: Secretary of War Pete Hegseth Addresses CAPSTONE 26-3 🏛️🎖️

National Defense University welcomed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth back to Fort McNair on May 11th to address the newly promoted General and Flag Officers of CAPSTONE 26-3. In his remarks, the Secretary underlined the Department of War’s top strategic priorities, focusing on homeland defense and revitalizing the defense industrial base.

As NDU’s premier course for senior leaders, CAPSTONE prepares fellows to integrate national power elements and master joint doctrine fundamentals. Secretary Hegseth’s visit gave the cohort a critical opportunity to engage directly with his strategic approach to global competition.

The importance of the Secretary's perspective for CAPSTONE fellows:

✅ Lethality First: A refocus on the primary mission of the warfighter—ensuring the Joint Force is prepared to outthink, out-decide, and outfight any adversary.

✅ Industrial Base Resilience: Highlighting the defense industrial base as a pillar of national power and a strategic priority for long-term deterrence.

✅ Strategic Leadership: A discussion on the decision-making required to lead across the full spectrum of conflict in a rapidly evolving security landscape.

Secretary Hegseth’s visit reinforces NDU’s mission to ensure our nation’s senior leaders are lethal, ready, and strategically aligned.

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➡️ Maintain your strategic edge. Follow National Defense University to learn how we prepare the nation’s senior leaders for high-level command demands.



(Photo courtesy of DoW)

Military Spouse Appreciation Day! 🛡️❤️

At the National Defense University, Military Spouse Appreciation Day on May 8 was an opportunity to reflect on the contributions of family.

NDU President VADM Pete Garvin has often remarked: “we recognize that our families are both the reason we serve and the reason that we are able to serve.”

Today, we thank the spouses of our students, faculty, and staff for the strength, resilience, and support that make our mission possible. Whether navigating a PCS move, managing the home front during deployment, or supporting a demanding academic year at NDU, your contributions matter.

Join us in the comments by tagging a military spouse who inspires you!

NDU Students Learn about Leadership and the Evolving Character of Warfare 🏛️🤝

The National Defense University was honored to welcome General Bryan Fenton (USA, retired), former Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command to our campus on May 1. College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC) Chancellor, Ms. Elizabeth Phu, and College of International Security Affairs (CISA) Chancellor, Mr. Gregg Olson, met with General Fenton to discuss strategic leadership, global competition, and the evolving character of warfare. Chancellor Phu led a fireside chat with General Fenton and students currently enrolled in the Eisenhower School, CISA, and CIC.

The importance of General Fenton’s perspective for today’s senior leaders studying at NDU:

✅ Decades of Strategic Command: With over 35 years of experience, including Commander of Joint Special Operations Command and Deputy Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, he provided insights into high-stakes decision-making in national security.

✅ The Character of Warfare: The discussion addressed the evolving global security landscape and the need for leaders to adapt to warfare characterized by speed and the accelerating pace of change in technology, including AI.

✅ Leading in Competition: General Fenton emphasized that effective leadership in global competition depends on strategic vision, innovation, and attention to the human element of command.


General Fenton emphasized that the character of warfare is changing in rapid and dramatic fashion. What do you believe is the most critical attribute for a strategic leader in the current environment? Let us know in the comments. 👇

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For more information on how the Nexus of Strategy prepares senior leaders for future global competition, visit ndu.edu.

On May 12, NDU’s Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy (ES) in collaboration with the National Defense University Foundation will host “Connection to Industry Day,” where industry leaders will partner with the next generation of national security leaders to apply strategic thinking to one of our most urgent vulnerabilities: erosion of U.S. industrial capacity.

President of the National Defense University, Vice Admiral Peter Garvin, will join ES Commandant Brig Gen Kirsten Aguilar and representatives from leading companies for a day of direct engagement with ES students focused on solutions that will revitalize the national industrial base.

VADM Garvin is a 2005 graduate of the National War College and a career naval aviator with over three decades of service, from Patrol Squadron to Naval War College President. During his career, he has prioritized building partnerships with industry. VADM Garvin will give remarks to help kick off the day, which furthers NDU’s mission: educating not for the sake of education, but to guarantee national security; or put more directly, in order to fight and win.

Eisenhower School's Connection to Industry Day. Tuesday, May 12, 2026 | Fort McNair, Washington D.C.

Read VADM Garvin’s full Bio: (link)

A Distinguished Welcome for India’s Chief of the Army Staff 🏛️🤝

The National Defense University (NDU) was privileged to host General Upendra Dwivedi, India's Chief of the Army Staff, on April 23. The International Study, Missions, and Outreach (ISMO) Director, Ambassador Andrew Young, and the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies Director, Ambassador John Desrocher, met with General Dwivedi and discussed Joint Professional Military Education (JPME), strengthening alumni engagement, and other areas of potential cooperation. General Dwivedi also met with India's International Fellows currently enrolled at NDU.

✅ See how NDU builds a global network of national security leaders—connect with us on the updated ISMO LinkedIn page for the latest news and insights. Find the link in the comments.

Advancing Cybersecurity Education with the Republic of Kazakhstan 🏛️🛡️

The College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC) at National Defense University was privileged to host Maj Gen Saken Zhussupov, Deputy Chief of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan, on April 21.

CIC Deputy Chancellor Andy Walsh, Dean Stuart K. Archer, and Dean Frank Marlo met with Maj Gen Zhussupov to discuss securing critical infrastructure against advanced cyber threats.

✅Follow CIC on LinkedIn for the latest updates. Click the link to stay connected.

#cybersecurity #internationalpartnerships #professionaleducation #securitycooperation #ndu | College of Information and Cyberspace, National Defense University On 21 April 2026, CIC had the honor of hosting Maj Gen Saken Zhussupov, Deputy Chief of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Deputy Chancellor Andy Walsh, Dean of Administration Stuart K. Archer, and Dean of Faculty and Academics Frank Marlo led a valuable discussion on the evolving challenges of....