Congressional influence on National Defense University

This study examines the influence Congressional interjections had on the development of National Defense University (NDU). Over the life of the University Congress intervened several times, affecting the historical development of NDU as a joint professional military education institution. The cumulative effect was a Congressionally mandated transformation reflected in the mission, curricula and students at the University. In chronological order, this study documents the Congressional interjections and the factors that made Congressional involvement necessary. The historical analysis ends with September 11, 2001. By that time, NDU had become a graduate-level, accredited, degree-granting institution with a mission of educating selected military and civilian officials in complex political, information, military and economic issues.;Joint professional military education at NDU realized significant improvement as a result of Congressional interjections. The military Services, as well as the components of NDU, continuously demonstrated a reluctance to embrace change. In the face of this reluctance, Congressional involvement was necessary. Analysis of these interjections shows that each time Congress interposed, the University responded in ways that directly contributed to quality education. From students to faculty to infrastructure, every aspect of NDU was affected by Congressional interjections. This study finds that Congress had a profound influence on NDU.