Congratulations on your selection to attend the National War College.
You are embarking on what many say was one of the best years of their career. Getting you started on the right foot is our priority. For many of you, this may be your first experience with a Department of War (DoW) school. Additionally, we know that some of you are moving here from outside the Washington D.C. area to include outside of the country. In-processing can be confusing and stressful, so we want to help simplify things.
NWC is an in-resident (in-person) school. Part of the NWC experience is the face-to-face interaction that you will have with your classmates. This is where National and Institutional cultures meet. You will learn about other’s countries and/or other’s institutional cultures. Here at NWC, you will build relationships that will last a lifetime.
- Note: This page will continue to be updated as the AY27 academic year approaches, please continue to check for updates.
Instructions for Incoming Students
- In the Spring, incoming Students to NDU programs in AY27 will be sent a welcome message from NDU Connect to the email address that you provide in your application or that was provided to NDU by your NWC service or agency representative.
- Upon receipt of the welcome message, please follow the link and instructions in the email to set your password and access the NDU Connect Student Portal.
- Additional Information – National Defense University
- Click the links provided below.
Welcome Letters
- Click the provided link below for the labeled welcome letter.
Commandant & Deputy Commandant
Dean of Students
AY25 Student Leadership
Additional Information
Academic Year (AY) 2027 – Key Dates
- The AY27 Academic Key Dates includes holidays and important events.
- AY27 Key Dates
- 29–31 JUL 26: Pre-Orientation Week
- 3–7 AUG 26: Orientation Week
- 10 AUG 26: Classes Begin
- 14 AUG 26: No-Host Committee Social (Families Welcome)
- 7 NOV 26: Gettysburg Staff Ride
- 18 DEC 26: Last Day of Fall Semester Classes
- 19 DEC 26 – 3 JAN 27: Holiday Break
- 4 JAN 27: First Day of Spring Semester Classes
- 4 JUN 27: NWC Student Awards Ceremony
- 10 JUN 27: Graduation
AY27 Student Handbook – Coming Soon
- The AY26 Student handbook is being updated and will be posted before the AY27 academic year commences.
- Please look through the AY26 Student handbook (link below) to help familiarize you with student and academic life at the college.
AY26 NWC Student Handbook
AY27 Military and Agency/Department Chairs
- Most of you have representatives or liaison officers as faculty here at the college. They serve as your main points of contact for administration and career issues. They will work with your headquarters to assist you with in-processing and administration.
- Your respective representative or liaison officer will contact you upon your selection.
- Current Representatives and Liaisons
- ANG/ARNG – Col Brian Finnerty brian.j.finnerty.mil@ndu.edu
- CIA – Mr. Matt Frankel mathew.c.frankel.civ@ndu.edu
- CJCS – Col Jonathon Waller jonathon.c.waller.mil@ndu.edu
- DHS – VACANT
- DIA – VACANT
- DOD/DSLDP – Dr. Amer Latif sahibzada.a.latif.civ@ndu.edu
- DOJ – VACANT
- DOE – Mr. Mark Scheuer mark.scheuer@nnsa.doe.gov
- DOS – Ms. Dannielle Andrews dannielle.r.andrews.civ@ndu.edu
- NGA – Mr. James Goslee II james.c.goslee.civ@ndu.edu
- NSA – Ms. Erin Fitzsimmons erin.m.fitzsimmons.civ@ndu.edu
- SOCOM – Col Mike Shreves michael.j.shreves.mil@ndu.edu
- TREAS – Mr. Glenn Baek glenn.y.baek.civ@ndu.edu
- USA – COL Justin Considine justin.d.considine.mil@ndu.edu
- USAF – Col Ryan Crowley ryan.af.crowley.mil@ndu.edu
- USCG – CAPT Kenneth Boda kenneth.j.boda.mil@ndu.edu
- USMC – Col Dan Wittnam daniel.j.wittnam.mil@ndu.edu
- USN – CAPT Todd Glasser todd.s.glasser.mil@ndu.edu
- All Others – Contact the Dean of Students, Col Lee Rush, USMC
NWC Name Tag Request Form – Students & Spouses
- Click the provided links below to access the Name Tag Request Form
Name Tag Request
NWC Uniform and Dress
- NWC is a professional school and as such we wear business attire.
- For the first two weeks, US and International Military officers wear military uniform (Class B/Short sleeve); this allows students to learn the uniforms of the various military services and who is in which service.
- Starting week three military students can switch to business attire.
Computers
- Government furnished computers (PCs or Laptops) are NOT provided.
- Bring your own device to school or secure one from your agency.
- CAC readers are necessary.
- Applications may also be used on your mobile devices.
- NDU IT Requirements and Guidance can be found at the link provided below.
Common Access Card (CAC)
- Non-Department of Defense civilians are required to get a CAC card while you are here to access the installation and for use with some DoD computer systems.
Defense Travel Services (DTS)
- International travel is an essential part of the NWC Curriculum; all travel will be executed using Department of Defense orders published in the DTS.
- All DOD students must ensure your traveler profile is released by your current organization in DTS before your departure from your last/parent organization before arriving at the National War College.
- National Guard students on a Title 32 school order must be in a Title 10 status for OCONUS travel
Government Travel Credit Card (GTCC)
- Each US student must have a DOD Government Travel Credit Card for travel expenses during NWC’s practicum travel.
- If you are a non-DoD civilian, you need to obtain a DoD GTCC.
- Forms will also be provided during in-processing with NDU but we recommend getting one before day one.
Childcare
- Fort McNair does not have childcare facilities.
- We are a family-oriented institution, but do not have the resources to provide childcare services.
- For military, please check with other local installations.
- For civilians, there are numerous options throughout the local communities.
Student Sports
- National War College
- Fall Intramural Softball
- Each of the 10 Committees compete against each other
- NDU-P Cup Sports (vs. other NDU Colleges)
- Fall
- Winter
- Pickleball
- Bowling
- Basketball
- Spring
- Volleyball
- Cornhole
- Golf
- Jim Thorpe Sports Days
- Event held at the U.S. Army War College (Carlisle Barracks, PA) in late-April competing against other military colleges, and included the U.S. Army War College Collegiate Strategy Competition
- Softball
- Soccer
- 5K Run
- Bowling
- Basketball
- Volleyball
- Golf
- Men's and Women's 4 x 400M Relays
- Cycling
- Functional Fitness
- Pickleball
- Trap
- Skeet