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What is the National Defense University

The National Defense University is America 's pre-eminent institution for national security and joint professional military education, research, outreach and strategic studies. Today, the University provides a rare environment in which senior military officers, diplomats, and professionals from the intelligence, law enforcement, and homeland security communities are educated together in vital national security matters, building networks that will last for years to come.

Further, its various institutes and centers serve as scholarly “think tanks” and research resources for a broad variety of governmental customers. NDU is now the center for joint, multinational, and interagency education in national and international security matters, helping prepare this and other nations' next generation of military and civilian leaders for their future responsibilities.

Why is the National Defense University so important today?

Our new national security challenges place a high priority on effective coordination of all the instruments of national power: diplomatic, political, economic, and informational as well as military force. The University creates the only opportunity for the professional practitioners within all of these disciplines to experience a common education – breaking down bureaucratic barriers to cooperation and increasing mutual trust and respect.

Perhaps more importantly, the University's student body also includes officers from as many as 60 nations at any one time, broadening and enlarging the community of professionals prepared to work toward global peace and security. No other institution is so perfectly postured to contribute to the search for peaceful solutions to the problems we face. And no other institution contributes so much to the assurance that, should peaceful means fail, the United States and its Allies will prevail.

National Defense University: Mission and Vision

MISSION: Prepare military and civilian leaders from the United States and other countries to evaluate national and international security challenges through multi-disciplinary educational and research programs, professional exchanges, and outreach.

VISION: The pre-eminent institution for education, research, and outreach in national and international security.

VALUES: In all its activities, the National Defense University strives to promote and reward:

Academic Freedom. An educational and research climate that fosters and protects free expression, rigorous analysis, and open intellectual exchange.

Integrity. An organizational culture based on openness, honesty, trust, and ethical conduct.

Excellence. A determined commitment to scholarship, knowledge development, institutional agility, innovation, and creativity.

Community. The embrace of diverse peoples, ideas, and cultures in a spirit of lifelong professional cooperation and collaboration.

Growth and Development. An environment that fosters individual intellectual and physical well being.

STRATEGIC GOALS: The University shall:

Achieve the highest standard of Joint Professional Military Education.

Develop strategic knowledge and critical thinking, promote cross-cultural understanding, and create operational awareness to prepare graduates to exercise strong leadership.

Promote unity of effort across and beyond the U.S. Government through national security education programs, research, activities, and organizations that anticipate and address complex security challenges.

Invest in faculty, staff, technology, and facilities to promote excellence in educational programs, research, exchanges, and outreach.

Cultivate national and international relationships that contribute to the University's vision and mission.

Build life-long learning communities that sustain and renew the capabilities of graduates over the course of their professional careers.

What is the National Defense University
The National Defense University is America 's pre-eminent institution for national security and joint professional military education, research, outreach and strategic studies. Today, the University provides a rare environment in which senior military officers, diplomats, and professionals from the intelligence, law enforcement, and homeland security communities are educated together in vital national security matters, building networks that will last for years to come. Further, its various institutes and centers serve as scholarly “think tanks” and research resources for a broad variety of governmental customers. NDU is now the center for joint, multinational, and interagency education in national and international security matters, helping prepare this and other nations' next generation of military and civilian leaders for their future responsibilities.

Why is the National Defense University so important today?
Our new national security challenges place a high priority on effective coordination of all the instruments of national power: diplomatic, political, economic, and informational as well as military force. The University creates the only opportunity for the professional practitioners within all of these disciplines to experience a common education – breaking down bureaucratic barriers to cooperation and increasing mutual trust and respect. Perhaps more importantly, the University's student body also includes officers from as many as 60 nations at any one time, broadening and enlarging the community of professionals prepared to work toward global peace and security. No other institution is so perfectly postured to contribute to the search for peaceful solutions to the problems we face. And no other institution contributes so much to the assurance that, should peaceful means fail, the United States and its Allies will prevail.

National Defense University: Mission and Vision
MISSION: Prepare military and civilian leaders from the United States and other countries to evaluate national and international security challenges through multi-disciplinary educational and research programs, professional exchanges, and outreach.
VISION: The pre-eminent institution for education, research, and outreach in national and international security.
VALUES: In all its activities, the National Defense University strives to promote and reward:
		Academic Freedom. An educational and research climate that fosters and protects free expression, rigorous analysis, and open intellectual exchange. Integrity. An organizational culture based on openness, honesty, trust, and ethical conduct. Excellence. A determined commitment to scholarship, knowledge development, institutional agility, innovation, and creativity. Community. The embrace of diverse peoples, ideas, and cultures in a spirit of lifelong professional cooperation and collaboration. Growth and Development. An environment that fosters individual intellectual and physical well being.
STRATEGIC GOALS: The University shall:
		Achieve the highest standard of Joint Professional Military Education. Develop strategic knowledge and critical thinking, promote cross-cultural understanding, and create operational awareness to prepare graduates to exercise strong leadership. Promote unity of effort across and beyond the U.S. Government through national security education programs, research, activities, and organizations that anticipate and address complex security challenges. Invest in faculty, staff, technology, and facilities to promote excellence in educational programs, research, exchanges, and outreach. Cultivate national and international relationships that contribute to the University's vision and mission. Build life-long learning communities that sustain and renew the capabilities of graduates over the course of their professional careers.