National Defense University Observes Holocaust Days of Remembrance

The National Defense University Multi-Cultural Committee commemorated the Holocaust Days of Remembrance on Friday, April 18, 2008, by hosting guest speaker and survivor Mr. Charles Stein. Mr Stein sopke in an informal setting about his experiences during the Holocaust. The focus of this year's presentation was "Do Not Stand Silent: Remembering Kristallnacht 1938."

Dr. Henry A. Kissinger Visits the National Defense University

Dr. Henry A. kissinger was welcomed to the National Defense University by Lieutenant General Frances C. Wilson, USMC, President (right), and Ambassador Richard Roth, Senior Vice President (center), on March 5, 2008. Dr. kissinger, Chairman of kissinger Associates, Inc., gave a presentation to the faculty and students of the National War College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Dr. kissinger is a former Secretary of State and Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973. Bio

Former Iraq Commander Speaks to National Defense University Students

Lieutenant General Raymond T. Odierno, United States Army, the former Commander, Multi-National Corps-Iraq, gave a presentation to faculty and students of the National War College and Industrial College of the Armed Forces on March 4, 2008.

The National War College History and Strategy Roundtable "Empires" Series

The purpose of the Empires series is simply to take a look at the experience of past imperial powers, always with an eye towards the United States' current "imperial" issues. This year, the focus is entirely on Rome.  Topics in the series in previous years have included "The Rise and Demise of the British World Order and the Lessons for Global Power," by Niall Ferguson (Stern Business School, NYU, and Jesus College, Oxford University); "The Empire of the Roman Republic" by University of Maryland historian Arthur Eckstein; "The Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation: Invalid or Incubator?" and "The Austro-Hungarian Empire: Decline, Fall & Disaggregation, 1815-2000," by Purdue University historian Charles Ingrao; "The Ottoman Empire and Its Legacy in the Arab World," by Faruk Birtek (Bogazici University, Istanbul); "Empire and Coalition:The Delian League," by Jennie Kiesling (USMA); "U.S. Special Operations Forces and the Problem of Imperial Policing," by journalist Robert Kaplan; "American Empire" by Boston University's Andrew Bacevich; and "American Empire: Past and Future," by Yale historian John Lewis Gaddis.  On Tuesday, February 19, 2008,  Roman historian Professor Jon E. (Ted) Lendon, of the University of Virginia, addressed "Counter-Insurgency in the Middle East: Rome and the Jewish Wars."   The next program will be held on March 23th when Jeanne Rutenburg from the University of Maryland will speak on “Religion and Empire:  Constantine’s Strategic Decision to Embrace Christianity.”  These programs are held at  Roosevelt Hall (Bldg. 61, the National War College), at Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, DC, from 1700 to 1900 hours.  An informal social hour begins at 1700, with the presentation beginning at 1730; formal discussions will end promptly at 1900 after a question and answer session. For further information, contact NDUWebmaster@ndu.edu. 

Howard University President Visits National Defense University

Mr. H. Patrick Swygert, President of Howard University, Washington, D.C., was the keynote speaker at the African American History Month program on March 4, 2008, at the National Defense University.

European Symposium: NATO - Bucharest and Beyond

The National Defense University’s Institute for National Strategic Studies hosted the 2008 European Symposium at Fort Lesley J. McNair on February 20, 2008.  The Symposium, “NATO: Bucharest and Beyond,” which attracted 345 registrants, included a keynote speech by General John Craddock, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, via VTC from Afghanistan.  The symposium focused on identifying and exploring key issues facing NATO today: the pursuit of complex stabilization operations; threats posed by proliferation of ballistic missile capabilities; the U.S. commitment to NATO; and the possible movement towards a new Strategic Concept for the Alliance.

NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (center) and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General John Craddock (right) – Feb 2008 ISAF (NATO)

Other featured speakers included Admiral Gregory Johnson, USN (Ret), former Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe; Ambassador Eberhard Pohl, Deputy Political Director, German Federal Foreign Office; Lieutenant General Patrick de Rousiers, French Air Force, Commander of Air Defense and Air Operations;  Major General Patrick O’Reilly, Deputy Director of the Missile Defense Agency; Major General Ton van Loon, Royal Netherlands Army, Chief of Staff, Allied Land Component Command, NATO; Major General Heinrich Brauss, German Army, Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Policy Planning, NATO; and Mr. Kristian Fischer, Deputy Permanent Secretary of State for Defense, Denmark.

Lt Gen Patrick de Rousiers, French Air Force, MG Patrick O’Reilly, U.S Missile Defense Agency and Ms. Elaine Bunn, INSS (left to right) discuss key strategic and technical issues regarding NATO's role in missile defense. (NDU)

A summary of the symposium proceedings will be available soon on the INSS website, http://www.ndu.edu/inss/, along with presentations that have been cleared by individual speakers:    For additional information, contact the INSS Conference Directorate, NDU_Conferences@ndu.edu or 202-685-3857.

Congressional Record Remarks

On February 7, 2008, Senator John W. Warner (R,VA) had placed in the Congressional Record, remarks about the National Defense University. Among other things, he stated: "The National Defense University is a significant and valuable institution for the development of leaders for America's national security needs." Now serving in his twenty-ninth year in the Senate, Senator Warner is the former Chairman, and now the second-ranking Republican of the Senate Armed Services Committee, having begun his association with our men and women in uniform sixty years ago. In this capacity, and throughout his career, he has shown unwavering support for the men and women of the armed forces. He has also been a champion of modernizing the structure and operations of the military to ensure its effectiveness in the 21st century. For the full report, click here.

President Bush Speaks to Students of National Defense University

Washington (October 23, 2007) – President George W. Bush addressed the students of the National Defense University today as part of the university’s Distinguished Lecture Program. The President set forth vision for a missile defense system and continuing efforts in the war on terror to an audience comprised of senior military and civilian agency representatives as well as International Fellows from over 60 countries.

President George W. Bush is welcomed by Lieutenant General Frances C. Wilson, U.S. Marine Corps, President of the National Defense University.

President Bush addresses the students of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the National War College as part of the NDU Distinguished Lecture Program.

President Bush surrounded by students of the National Defense University's Industrial College of the Armed Forces and National War College.

Photos by NDU Photographer Matt Chubski

Second Life Virtual World Consortium

Dr. Paulette Robinson, Assistant Dean for Teaching at the Information Resources Management College, National Defense University, has a formed a multi-agency consortium to establish a sizeable federal presence in the Second Life  virtual world run by Linden Labs.  Since the initial organizational meeting in July 2007, nearly 20 agencies have signed up for the ad hoc Second Life federal group, with more expressing interest every day.  The Air Force and Navy have signed on as well as civilian agencies such as State, Transportation, Library of Congress, National Institutes of Health, and NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--two of the early federal Second Life pioneers.  Dr. Robinson said the consortium plans a major push to establish a federal presence in Second Life and other virtual environments, and along the way create processes and procedures to make it simpler for agencies to get a life in Second Life.  The consortium is planning a one day real-world meeting about Second Life in November 2007 at the National Defense University; anyone interested in attending or learning more can contact Ms. Patty Coopersmith, Educational Initiative Project Manager at the IRM College, at coopersmithp@ndu.edu.

National Defense University Weather Notification

National Defense University Operating Status may be obtained by calling (202) 685-4700 and then following the prompt to University-wide announcements. The Office of Personnel Management can also provide excellent information on the status of government operations (see http://www.opm.gov/status). Read More.

Political Activity and the Federal Employee

The political season is upon us and now is a good time to review the Hatch Act provisions. Hatch Act Information for NDU Personnel .

Hatch Act Information for Military Personnel: DoD Directive 1344.10, Political Activies by Members of the Armed Forces