For more than 25 years, the National Defense University (NDU)[1]has been the premier center for Joint Professional Military Education. Under the direction of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, NDU provides an educational and research environment to prepare future leaders of the armed services, State Department and other civilian agen- cies for high-level policy, command and staff responsibilities. Since 1976, the university has grown organizationally and broadened its educational focus to include civilian and Reserve Component education, information warfare and regional studies. NDU is now a center for joint, multinational and interagency education.

Today, NDU is comprised of the, National War College (NWC), Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF), Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC), Information Resources Management College (IRMC), Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS), Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies (CHDS), Near East-South Asia Center for Strategic Studies (NESA Center), Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS), and eight special programs: Capstone, Office of Reserve Affairs (ORA), School for National Security Ex- ecutive Education (SNSEE), International Student Management Office (ISMO), Nation- al Security Education Program (NSEP), Center for Technology and National Security Policy (CTNSP), Secretary of Defense Corporate Fellows Program (SDCFP), and the NATO Staff Officer Orientation Course (NSOOC), and the Regional International Out- reach program.

With facilities located in Washington, D.C. and Norfolk, Va., more than 1,000 people attend university courses and programs on any given day. NDU is an accredited gradu- ate-level university. Nearly 500 Masters degrees are awarded to students who complete studies at NWC and ICAF each year. Through agreements with a number of universities, some students can earn up to 15 graduate credits for work completed at NDU.

At NDU, students are taught how to think, not what to think. Students actively learn through seminar discussions, case and field studies, exercises, and lectures. The cur- riculum combines information technology, classroom experience, and experiential learning. State-of-the-art technology such as computers, streamed video, and virtual reality simulations add a dimension of realism to student learning. Through the Distinguished Lecture Program, students gain important insights from top military and government leaders. The program has drawn the likes of the President of the United States, Cabinet-level officials, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Commanders in Chief from major military commands, members of Congress, and civilian leaders. Speakers talk frankly with students under the university’s non-attribution policy. This allows a free exchange of ideas.

The typical NDU senior college (NWC or ICAF) student is 40 to 45 years old, a lieutenant colonel/colonel or Navy commander/captain in rank, or the civilian equivalent with 20 years of service. Students are selected for their leadership potential and many NDU alumni have gone on to senior leadership positions. Approximately one-third of all generals and admirals currently on active duty are graduates of NDU’s senior colleges. While the majority of students are members of the U.S. Armed Forces or DoD civilians, many are from other government agencies, foreign militaries,and private industry.

Another one of NDU’s main missions is outreach. In a typical year, NDU’s outreach efforts include more than 500 conferences, symposia and workshops; 20,000 visitors; 120 faculty and staff publications; and 350 conference presentations by university faculty and staff to both national and international audiences.