Welcome Warrior Class of 2024!

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 Defense (DoD) 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. 

We understand that many of you are coming from telework environments which has shaped your professional and personal routines.  Your initial experience will require some adjustment so please prepare yourselves and your families for a change in daily routine.

Welcome Letters
Click for Commandant's Welcome Letter

Click for Dean of Students Welcome Letter

Click for Student Spouse's Welcome Letter

Pre-arrival In-Processing

All in-bound students will in-process with the National Defense University first. In addition to in-processing requirements, read through the pages and sub links carefully as they provide important information.

Civilian Students

US Military Students

International Fellows (IFs)

  • Students from partner and ally countries will receive all information from the International Student Management Office (ISMO).  Please ensure you contact ISMO for all questions.  Once you are in-processed, you will receive additional information from NWC this summer.  

First Steps

  • Step 1 – Follow the links above for your specific category to complete the NDU cybersecurity and system access requirements, security clearance verification, and Common Access Card (CAC) request (if required).
  • Step 2 – Contact your specific Service or Agency Chair listed below to ensure your pre-arrival requirements are complete.
  • Step 3 – Complete the two NWC forms below to help us prepare for your arrival.

Click for NWC Nametag Request Form

Click for NWC Spouse Information Form

  • Step 4
  • Step 5 – Report for College orientation on: (date to be determined)
    • A link will be provided for updated service and agency information.

Additional Information

As you work through the University’s in-processing, here is some additional College specific information: 

2024 Academic Key Dates & Calendar

  • The AY24 Academic Key Dates & Calendar can be accessed at the link below, and it includes important deadlines, holidays and events.

Click for AY24 Academic Key Dates & Calendar 

2024 Student Handbook 

  • The 2024 Student handbook is being updated, please look through the 2023 Student handbook to help familiarize you with student and academic life at the college.

Click for AY24 NWC Student Handbook

2024 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. 

Contact Military and Agency/Department Chair

2024 Spouse Orientation – Briefs

  • The briefs from the Spouses Orientation on Wednesday, 30 August can be found at the link below. 

Click for the Spouse Orientation Briefs 

Pre-arrival Information

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All students are required to complete the Pre-Attendance Training:

More information →

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Blackboard Questions

National Defense University (NDU) uses Blackboard as its Learning Management System. All curriculum is delivered to the students across the university using Blackboard.

  • NOTE: Until your account is activated, you will not be able to access NDU Blackboard Portal

Every student will have an account established prior to their arrival, and will be enrolled into a "Pre-attendance" course to guide them through some steps to accomplish some of the required training that is nice to accomplish prior to arrival.

Incoming students should check back here mid June for more guidance on how to obtain their user credentials for their initial log on. If you are having technical problems, contact our Technical Support Team.

Contact Technical Support Team →

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NWC Alumni Association

The NWC Alumni Association (NWCAA) is an independent 501 (c)(3) charitable, educational organization with 30% of the College’s more than 10,000 graduates as life and annual members.  The National War College Alumni Association is a non-federal entity.  It is not part of the Department of Defense or any of its components and has no Government Status

The Association provides funding for a variety of student social, athletic, and liaison activities.
Click for NWC Alumni Association Welcome Letter