National Defense University

Our main graduation ceremony has now concluded. Well done, future leaders! Watch NDU's Flickr channel for photos in the coming weeks: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nduaudiovisual/albums/ or re-watch the recording of the full ceremony at https://livestream.com/ndulivestream/ndugraduation2024

Commandant MajGen Paul J. Rock, USMC, is now conferring degrees on graduates of the National War College. Congrats!

Chancellor Denise Marsh is now conferring degrees on graduates of the College of International Security Affairs. Congratulations!

Commandant Major General William H. Seely III, USMC, is now conferring degrees on graduates of The Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy.

Chancellor Dr. Cassandra Lewis is now conferring degrees on College of Information and Cyberspace graduates. Congratulations !

"I am honored to serve alongside of all of you, and I am delighted to congratulate you on your many successes now and in the future." – Adm Christopher W. Grady, VCJCS.

"Geopolitical complexities, the rapid spread of information – or dis-information, state of art weapons systems, these are all truly novel... But it is our people, our greatest competitive advantage – they are the center of the universe." – Adm Christopher W. Grady, VCJCS.

"I will leave you with two lessons: 1. Nothing is static. You must build processes and battle rhythms that are habitual, repeatable, and allow you to iterate, yet remain flexible. 2. Never lose sight of the human dimension of warfare." – Adm Christopher W. Grady, VCJCS.

“In the face of this changing world, we must rely on our Joint Force and our allies and partners in government and beyond to produce the highest caliber of leaders that our nations require. We must demand of these leaders the critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and strategic vision necessary to deter our adversaries and secure a peaceful future. Make no mistake, your NDU education is a uniquely valuable investment in our national security, in our mutual interests, and in the preservation of our accepted global order.” – Adm Christopher W. Grady, VCJCS.

"The challenges we face in the twenty-first century are complex and multifaceted, requiring a whole-of-government approach. Thus, close coordination between allies and partners, military, diplomatic, and civilian stakeholders is vital." -- Adm Christopher W. Grady, VCJCS.

“To our International Fellows … you are the personification of what it means to be stronger together. The views you brought to this academic environment ensure that all of us see the world from a different perspective and think more broadly about global security and the global commons.” – Adm Christopher W. Grady, VCJCS.

“An enduring value of an NDU education is the network of relationships you have developed here that will serve you going forward. … “As leaders, it is incumbent upon you to build and nurture relationships, at home and abroad, that enhance our collective security and promote peace and stability in the world. – Adm Christopher W. Grady, VCJCS.

“As graduates of NDU, you are the kind of strategic thinkers that our nations and the world need most. … “The highly dynamic environment within which we all operate demands we harness the intellectual firepower – this institution – and focus it on the emerging challenges ahead.” – Adm Christopher W. Grady, VCJCS.

“As a proud National War College graduate from the Class of 2007, I remember very well my time here at Roosevelt Hall. It was one of the best years of my career.” – Adm Christopher W. Grady, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

NDU extends a warm welcome to today's graduation keynote speaker, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Christopher W. Grady. 🎓🌍

“In a few minutes, each of you will join the ranks of NDU alumni, many of whom have gone on to lead at the pinnacle of military, security, and diplomatic service. If history is any predictor of the future, this class also undoubtedly includes many future generals and admirals, chiefs of service, ambassadors, and other senior national security leaders. So…no pressure!” – NDUP.

“The members of this NDU class represent all branches of the US military and 30 Federal agencies, including the State Department and Homeland Security; multiple private sector firms, and 80 allied and partner nations.” – NDUP.

“One of the best investments our nations make is to prepare you—the next generation of senior leaders—to think and lead strategically so you can succeed across the spectrum of cooperation, competition, and conflict.” – Lt Gen Michael Plehn, President, NDU,

Online NDU graduation viewers: If you are having audio trouble on Livestream, an alternate broadcast link is https://www.dvidshub.net/webcast/34654

Good morning graduates, families, friends and guests!!! What an exciting day! If you're not able to attend, watch the Livestream of the ceremony at https://livestream.com/ndulivestream/ndugraduation2024

NDU will hold its 2024 graduation ceremonies for the university's four Washington, D.C.-based colleges on Thurs., June 13, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Tune in via Livestream @ https://livestream.com/ndulivestream/ndugraduation2024. For more info, see https://www.ndu.edu/Academics/NDU-Graduation-2024/

Congratulations CISA JSOMA Class of 2024!

🦅🎓 JSOMA Class of 2024 Celebrates Graduation at Ft. Liberty | On May 31, the College of International Security Affairs' Joint Special Operations Master of Arts Program (JSOMA) proudly hosted the commencement ceremony for the .

This year's 45 graduates included officers and NCOs from across U.S. Army Special Operations Forces, the U.S. Navy, the United States Air Force, and the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service, alongside international partners from Egypt, Germany, Iraq, the Netherlands, Romania, and Thailand. Three graduates from JSOMA earned special recognition as National Defense University Scholars this year, including the "Most Outstanding Scholar," SGM Rodger Kissane. In addition to being an NDU Scholar, MAJ Cassandra McDonald earned Honorable Mention for her essay submission to the NDU Women, Peace, and Security Research and Writing Competition.

National Defense University President Lieutenant General Michael Plehn delivered this year's commencement address, with opening remarks given by CISA Chancellor Denise Marsh and BG Guillaume "Will" Beaurpere, Commanding General of the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School. Congratulations to the JSOMA Class of 2024!

Click here to learn more about CISA's JSOMA Program at Ft. Liberty: https://cisa.ndu.edu/JSOMA/

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U.S. Army Special Operations Command

Congratulations to the 2024 graduating class of the Joint Advanced Warfighting School (JAWS) at our Joint Forces Staff College!

The 53rd NATO Conference of Commandants ( ) wrapped up on Day 4 discussing “How to Best Prepare Leaders for Operating at the Strategic Level?” Gen CQ Brown Jr. reminded the 49 NATO allies and partners in attendance that it is our duty to prepare the next generation of to shape the international environment for the next 75 years, and that WE have an alliance; our adversaries do not. Breakout session rapporteurs then provided new insights and recommendations for further action. The conference concluded with a call from NATO Defense College leaders to sustain dialogue, information sharing and momentum via workshops and online tools until .

Opening Day 4 of the NATO , General Charles Q. Brown Jr., Chairman of The Joint Staff reminded us that our Nations have chosen the path of peace for nearly 80 years, choosing a strong commitment to the pursuit of freedom, security, basic human rights, and sovereignty for all nations, regardless of their size or might, and that these ideals are the foundation of the international order.

Wrapping up the last day of the 53rd NATO Conference of Commandants at the National Defense University: "How to Best Prepare Leaders for Operating at the Strategic Level?"

Keynote speaker General Charles Brown, Jr., Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, emphasized the crucial role of leadership development: "It is our duty to prepare the next generation of leaders who will continue to determine our destiny and to shape the international environment for the next 75 years... for freedom and for peace."

More updates to follow.

Insights from Day 3 of the NATO : We have libraries full of books on leadership. If you look at libraries, we should all have good leaders by now. Allow people to discuss and test with each other how they would act in a leadership environment and change the culture to be receptive to leaders who challenge assumptions.

Leadership training programs are hearing from younger generations that they aren’t there solely to learn new technologies or how to lead in the age of AI; they want to use AI as a tool to impact climate change, or health care, or community building.

Leadership is inherently about emotion. Any leadership construct will include motivation, influence, legitimacy. AI can’t do emotion yet. What is probable is something like augmented leadership that helps humans become more proficient leaders.