NWC Research and Analysis

The core mission of the National War College is to provide its students with a superb educational experience. Faculty and students at the National War College pursue research and analysis in a number of ways that are supportive of that mission. More than in the past, the leadership of the College today views it, in the context of NDU's larger research activities, as a thought leader on issues related to national strategy.

Specific forms of research and analysis that occur at NWC include the categories noted below. Examples from all of these areas will be regularly featured in the "NWC Ideas" tab on this web site.

An important principle that guides research and writing at NWC is academic freedom. Academic freedom is the sine qua non of excellence in education and research. The National Defense University's commitment to academic freedom is published in the National Defense University Handbook, 1 Aug 2006, NDU Regulation 360-1, and is reaffirmed within both the National War College faculty and student handbooks. The policies themselves, as well as their implementation, are continually reviewed to ensure that academic freedom is protected and allowed to thrive. Open sharing of ideas and approaches, critical analysis, creative thinking, and the ability to synthesize - and then argue and defend - new concepts are at the heart of every seminar discussion. Beyond the seminar room, the National War College grants faculty and students the freedom to: explore ideas, conduct research, publish findings, discuss relevant material candidly and openly, surface problems for leadership's consideration, and seek changes in academic and institutional policies. Concurrently, NWC holds faculty and students responsible for: the pursuit of excellence, intellectual honesty, objectivity, toleration of free discussion and inquiry, open-mindedness, and innovative thinking.

Independent Faculty Research and Publishing

The NWC faculty is composed of many world-class experts who engage in long-term research projects and regularly write, speak and consult in their areas of expertise. NWC encourages faculty members to attend conferences so as to remain current on developing trends in their respective academic fields. Conference attendance, travel, writing, and the establishment of new professional contacts directly benefit the individual faculty as well as the overall NWC academic program. Departments receive dedicated funding so that faculty members can participate in at least one conference annually. In addition, faculty at the National War College can submit official training requests for additional educational opportunities. As appropriate, faculty members are expected to share the knowledge and experience they gain through participation in professional development activities with their colleagues during faculty workshops and classes.

Every seventh year, civilian faculty are eligible for a 12-month sabbatical for research, writing, or some other professional development activity. Faculty must apply for sabbatical with a detailed, written proposal through the Commandant to the University President. The College will recommend approval of sabbatical requests on the basis of the value of the professional development activity and staffing requirements. Faculty have used sabbaticals to write books, monographs and articles, to work on the Joint Staff and at the State Department, and to teach at one of the Service academies.

Student Research and Writing

During their ten months at NWC, students are required to write several research papers, from short to medium length. They also have the opportunity to take on longer research and writing projects, from "long papers" (25-30 pages) to research fellowships, designed to produce complete monographs well over 100 pages. Typically several students submit these for publication after the year is complete, and NWC student papers have found outlet in a number of prestigious journals.

Each year, starting with the 2011-2012 Academic Year, the War College has begun making a small number of award-winning student papers available on te web site, so that interested officials and researchers can benefit from their work. These papers have undergone review and been approved for public release as part of paper competitions and in some cases have already been published or are in the process of publication. Those interested in reviewing these papers can follow the link below to the page for student research.

    Student Research Papers

Research in Support of Government Departments and Agencies

From time to time, various elements of the Joint Staff, Department of Defense, military Service leadership, combatant commands, or other offices in the U.S. government will request a limited research partnership with NWC. Because our primary mission remains teaching, student and faculty participation in such projects is and will remain voluntary. But they can represent an excellent mechanism for academic work that will be accomplished as a normal part of the school year to be featured for policymakers, and have its conclusions and recommendations become relevant in a practical way.

Institutional Research Projects

The College has an associate dean for research and outreach, and under their direction NWC has begun to conduct research projects on a more institutional basis (although the products continue to reflect only the views of the authors; there is no such thing, in any product released by NWC, as an "official NWC statement" or position on any issue). These have included analyses of situations in North Korea and Pakistan and the future of the use of force. The results have been briefed to government officials and released to the public and policy community.