It is my honor to welcome you to the National Defense University.
You are joining a highly select group of leaders from across the Joint Force, interagency, private sector, and more than 60 partner nations, united by a commitment to meet today's complex and rapidly evolving security challenges. Specifically, NDU exists to generate warfighting advantage for the Nation by educating leaders in joint warfighting, leadership, and strategy. In a global environment characterized by intensifying competition and rapid technological change, cognitive advantage over would-be adversaries underpins victory. Put simply, we do not educate for the sake of education; we educate to guarantee national security. Or more directly, to fight and win.
As the Department of War's intellectual center of gravity, NDU delivers education, research, and strategic engagement to provide decision advantage in competition, crisis, and conflict. Here, you will learn to integrate all instruments of national power across land, maritime, air, space, and cyber through a joint, interagency, and multinational perspective.
This academic year is auspicious: We celebrate NDU's 50th Anniversary and welcome the National Intelligence College to the University. Together, NDU's six colleges provide focused expertise across national security strategy, resourcing and mobilization, irregular warfare, cyber and information operations, joint planning, and strategic intelligence. This makes NDU a unique environment for national security education and
research.
NDU provides mastery focused education. Admission confers opportunity, not entitlement. Only sustained, demonstrated excellence merits graduation. You will be required to think critically, operate in ambiguity, and apply judgment in an environment where decision timelines are increasingly compressed. Your time here will most certainly challenge you as you engage in some of the toughest, most intellectually demanding work in national security education today.
Given NDU's unique location, your academic year will also provide unparalleled access to senior leaders across government, industry, and the international community. You will build relationships that strengthen strategic partnerships and contribute to a whole-of-nation approach to national security.
Let me welcome you once again to what will be a great year. I wish you success in your studies.
PETER A. GARVIN
Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy
President, National Defense University