National Defense University

NDU Welcomes Netherlands Defence Academy Leaders and Students to Fort McNair 🏛️🤝

National Defense University President Vice Admiral Peter A. Garvin welcomed Major General Roy Sillen, Commandant of the Netherlands Defence Academy, during an official visit to NDU on June 9.

This visit was a proud moment for the , as Major General Sillen is a 2020 alumnus of the Eisenhower School. He led a delegation of Dutch military officers, who are students at the Academy, in an overseas field studies program to the United States.

While on campus, the delegation engaged with Eisenhower School faculty in discussions on national security strategy, defense leadership, and the challenges shaping today’s global security environment. By welcoming international allies, the University develops strategic leaders prepared to address shared global challenges. These visits help advance NDU’s mission to educate for warfighting advantage to win in competition, crisis, and conflict.

🌍 International Partners: In today’s complex strategic environment, close coordination with allies is an important element in safeguarding our Nation’s security. Let us know your experience working with international partners on national security. Leave your comments below.



Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy

Mission Ready: Congratulations to the National Defense University Class of 2026 at Fort McNair! 🎓🏛️

On June 11, the College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC), College of International Security Affairs (CISA), Eisenhower School (ES), and National War College (NWC) celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2026! Thank you to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine for joining us to deliver the keynote address and to Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Christopher Mahoney for joining us to celebrate and congratulate each graduate who received a degree.

NDU's 18th President Vice Admiral Peter A. Garvin, USN, introduced the Chairman, and recognized the “unwavering commitment, unshakeable dedication, and unmatched professionalism” demonstrated by the Class of 2026. He told the students, “You are the right leaders, at the right time in history.”

VADM Garvin emphasized that, “Here at the National Defense University, we do not educate for the sake of education. We educate to guarantee national security, or even more directly, we educate in order to fight and win. Every seminar, every reading, and every wargame has been laser-focused on one objective: building, expanding, and sustaining our cognitive warfighting advantage against any would-be adversary.”

In his remarks, the Chairman asked NDU’s graduating students to remember three important lessons:

✅ This milestone "marks the beginning of your journey as strategic leaders in the Joint Force."

✅ As you return to your organizations and commands, your leadership is essential. You will be asked to serve as the "vital translators between grand strategy developed by political policy makers and the realities of going to achieve those objectives through the use of military force."

✅ The complex environment demands you remain relentlessly curious and that means continuing to learn and grind every day. “Your journey of learning as leaders does not end today, but it actually accelerates today.”

To the Class of 2026: Congratulations on your graduation! It is an outstanding achievement. As NDU celebrates its 50th Anniversary, you join a half-century legacy of graduates who upheld excellence in national security and warfighting advantage for the Nation.

As the Chairman concluded in his remarks yesterday: "You are going to crush this."

🎉The entire NDU community wishes you continued success!



The Joint Staff | Joint Forces Staff College | Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy | National War College | College of Information and Cyberspace - National Defense University | The College of International Security Affairs | Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS) | National Defense University Foundation

Countdown to Graduation: JAWS-JFSC Class of 2026 🎓⚓

This Friday at 10:00 AM EDT, the National Defense University will celebrate the achievements of the Joint Advanced Warfighting School (JAWS) Class of 2026 at the Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC) in Norfolk.

This graduation marks 50 Years of Excellence (1976–2026) at NDU and 80 years at JFSC. The members of the JAWS Class of 2026 have spent the past year sharpening their strategic vision.

📖 Plan the Celebration: Whether you are attending in person or supporting from afar, visit the NDU Graduation Web Page for full event schedules, program details, and information. Link in comments.

👇 Like or share this post to show your support, and let us know who you are cheering for in the comments.

We Saved You a Seat! Watch NDU’s Graduation at Fort McNair Live Tomorrow 🎥🪑

The chairs are set, the stage is ready, and the countdown is officially on! Tomorrow at 10:00 AM EDT, the National Defense University will honor the Class of 2026 the of Information and Cyberspace (CIC), College of International Security Affairs (CISA), Eisenhower School (ES), and National War College (NWC).

Can’t make it to Washington, D.C. in person? Don't worry—we saved you a seat online! You can witness the entire combined ceremony live on DVIDS as we celebrate our graduates.

Join us in marking NDU’s 50 years of excellence (1976–2026) and the graduation of our newest strategic leaders.

🏛️ Plan Your Viewing Experience: Visit the NDU Graduation Web Page for event details, program information, and updates: https://www.ndu.edu/Academics/NDU-Graduation-2026/

🔗Save the Link: Like, share, and save the official DVIDS live-stream link in the comments below. Feel free to let us know who you are supporting.

College of Information and Cyberspace - National Defense University | National War College | The College of International Security Affairs | Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy | National Defense University Foundation | Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS)

The Final Countdown: 50th Anniversary Graduation 🎥🎓

Our next graduation ceremonies are right around the corner for the National Defense University Class of 2026! This year is especially significant as we mark 50 Years of Excellence (1976–2026) at NDU.

Graduates from Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC), National War College (NWC), Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy (ES), College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC), and The College of International Security Affairs (CISA) have spent the past year strengthening their strategic vision. We are honored to welcome Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine as our keynote speaker at the graduation ceremony at Ft. McNair.

🗓️ June 11 @ 10:00 AM EDT: CIC, CISA, ES, NWC (Ft. McNair, Washington, D.C.)
*Livestream available

🗓️ June 12 @ 10:00 AM EDT: JAWS – JFSC (NSA Hampton Roads, VA)

Can’t be there in person? Witness this major milestone live on DVIDS! 💻 See the comments section for the livestream link. For more graduation information visit NDU special site: https://www.ndu.edu/Academics/NDU-Graduation-2026/

Tag an alumnus, like, share, and save the link below!



Joint Forces Staff College | National War College | Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy | College of Information and Cyberspace - National Defense University | The College of International Security Affairs | National Defense University Foundation |

National Defense University Congratulates JSOMA Class of 2026!

On June 4, NDU’s College of International Security Affairs Chancellor Gregg Olson hosted NDU President VADM Peter Garvin and Army Brigadier General Kirk Brinker, Deputy Commanding General, USASOC, for the graduation ceremony of the Joint Special Operations Master of Arts (JSOMA) Class of 2026 at Fort Bragg. The entire NDU community proudly congratulates our graduates!

To the JSOMA Class of 2026: Congratulations on your graduation and your outstanding achievement. Over the past year, you have stepped away from operational assignments to sharpen your strategic thinking, challenge assumptions, and prepare for greater responsibilities ahead. You have demonstrated that your intellectual rigor matches your operational excellence. As you return to your organizations and commands, your leadership is needed now more than ever. You leave the National Defense University with a distinct warfighting advantage, ready to outthink, out-decide, and outfight any adversary in an increasingly complex security environment. Thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your unwavering commitment to the mission. The entire NDU community wishes you continued success in the years ahead.

➡️ Join us in honoring the JSOMA 2026 graduates. Please share your congratulations and words of support in the comments below.



The College of International Security Affairs | U.S. Army Special Operations Command |

A Grand Slam for Wellness: Eisenhower School Wins the President’s Cup ⚾🏆

Excellence was celebrated at the ballpark on June 3, when NDU President VADM Peter Garvin presented the President’s Cup to Eisenhower School Commandant, Brigadier General Kirsten Aguilar, and students from the Eisenhower School before the Washington Nationals vs. Miami Marlins game.

The President’s Cup emphasizes the importance of health and fitness within our community. It demonstrates our students’ competitive nature and desire to win, while encouraging the natural comradery of our armed forces and civilian agencies. In the high-stakes world of national security, we know that staying sharp behind a desk requires staying fit in the field. This award recognizes the school that best embodies the spirit of competition and the commitment to maintaining a competitive edge through physical and mental wellness.

Congratulations to the Eisenhower School on a well-deserved victory!

We want to hear from you: What is your favorite way to stay active and keep your edge? Post a photo or tell us about your routine in the comments! 🏃‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏋️



Disclaimer: The appearance of external hyperlinks or commercial brands does not constitute endorsement by the National Defense University or the Department of War of the linked websites, information, products, or services of the company represented.

Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy | The College of International Security Affairs | College of Information and Cyberspace - National Defense University | National War College

Joint Special Operations Master of Arts Class of 2026 Graduation

Tomorrow, June 4, 2026 the National Defense University will celebrate the graduation of the College of International Security Affairs’ Joint Special Operations Master of Arts (JSOMA) Class of 2026 at Kennedy Hall, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. This ceremony marks the completion of a rigorous academic program for our nation’s elite operators, who are now equipped to integrate strategic logic with irregular warfare capabilities at the highest levels of command.

We are honored to welcome Army Brigadier General Kirk Brinker, Deputy Commanding General, USASOC, as our commencement speaker. He will address the graduates as they return to the forefront of global security.

📆Date: June 4, 2025
🕙Time: 10:00 AM EDT

The Sharp End of Strategy: As these specialized leaders transition from the classroom to the front lines, they bring a distinct warfighting advantage. Please join us in congratulating the JSOMA Class of 2026 and wishing them success in their next mission.

🎓🎉Share your congratulations in the comments below.



*Please note that this ceremony will not be live-streamed.*

The Future of Command: NDU Hosts End-of-Year Student Town Hall 🏛️🎓

On May 29, the National Defense University held a Student Town Hall, which featured a senior leadership panel, to cap the academic year as students enter the final countdown to graduation. The panel included NDU President VADM Peter Garvin, College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC) Chancellor Elizabeth Phu, and HADRIAN Vice President Mike Manazir. Senior Vice President of NDU, Ambassador Roxanne Cabral, moderated the discussion, which brought together senior civilian, military, and private-sector perspectives to prepare the Class of 2026 for their next roles in senior leadership positions.

Key takeaways shared from the panel:

✅ Leading Up and Down: Leaders need to help shape their bosses’ understanding of a problem and outline real options. Leaders also need to understand their teams to effectively implement their bosses’ decisions and policy.

✅ Understanding Direction: As a leader of any organization, it is critical to explain the “why” of a mission and remain focused on first principals.

✅ Hard Truths to Know: Leadership can be isolating, avoid that trap, networks are critical. Be authentic, be vulnerable, be empathetic, and be humble, be curious, be bold.

As graduation approaches, this event underscores NDU’s focus on preparing our students for leadership at senior levels so that they can generate strategic warfighting advantage for the Nation.

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Senior leadership requires applying strategic lessons to real-world challenges. To our graduates and alumni: What is the most important leadership lesson you will carry into your next assignment? Share your thoughts in the comments below. 👇

Strategic Logic in Action: National War College Class of 2026 Delivers Final Strategy Briefings 🏛️🎓

On Thursday and Friday, May 14-15, National War College (NWC) students took center stage at NDU to brief senior government officials on their Group Strategy Research Projects. This milestone marked the culmination of a year-long deep dive into the world's most complex national security challenges.

Applying NWC’s signature elements of strategic logic, these student cohorts developed innovative, actionable strategies grounded in rigorous academic research. It was an outstanding demonstration of strategic thinking, proving this class is prepared to transition from the classroom to national security leadership roles.

The significance of this milestone for our graduating senior leaders:

✅ Rigorous Strategic Logic: Students applied advanced analytical frameworks to dissect and address urgent real-world national security vulnerabilities.

✅ Actionable Policy Solutions: Cohorts pitched innovative, pressure-tested strategies directly to senior government and defense officials.

✅ The Final Step to Graduation: This presentation marks the academic culmination of their time at NDU and serves as the ultimate proving ground before they walk the stage.

This event caps the academic year at NWC and is a critical piece of the National Defense University’s mission to prepare graduates to outthink, out-decide, and outfight any adversary.

➡️ Next stop: Graduation!


🎓 The Countdown to June 11: As these leaders prepare to graduate during our historic 50th Anniversary year, they leave NDU ready to shape the future of the Joint Force. Join us in celebrating their hard work. Leave them a 'congratulations' in the comments. And while your there, sounds off ➡️ What do you believe is the most critical quality of a strategic leader in today's threat environment? Let us and the graduating class of 2026 know in the comments! 👇