Welcome to the Class of 2026!

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 | Students from civilian agencies and departments will receive a link from their Agency/Dept or directly from the NDU Registrar’s office. NDU link for civilian personnel in-processing can be found here.

U.S. Military Students | Military students will receive requirements from either NDU’s Human Resource office or their military service representatives. NDU link for military personnel in processing can be found here.

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 CISA this summer. 

• • 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 Nametag and Polo Request Form below to help us prepare for your arrival.
• • STEP 4 | Briefing days
  • • US Military: Attend one of the military in-brief days listed here.
  • • US Civilians: Attend the Civilian Pre-brief days listed here.
• • STEP 5 | Report for College orientation on the week of 4 August, 2025, with in-processing requirements for Ft. McNair students the second and third week of July. More to follow from Dean of Students and Service/Agency Chairs directly to students.

CISA students should report to on the week of 4 Aug, with in-processing requirements for Ft. McNair students the second and third week of July. More to follow from Dean of Students and Service/Agency Chairs directly to students.

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

2026 Academic Key Dates & Calendar

• The AY26 Academic Key Dates & Calendar can be accessed at the link below. It includes important deadlines, holidays and events.

AY26 Academic Key Dates & Calendar - Coming Soon →

2026 Student Handbook

• The Student Handbook will help familiarize you with student and academic life at the college. Please check back soon for the 2026 Student Handbook.

AY26 Student Handbook - Coming Soon →

Joint Special Operations Master of Arts Program (JSOMA)

• The Joint Special Operations Master of Arts Program (JSOMA) at Ft. Bragg was created to prepare select commissioned, warrant, and noncommissioned officers, along with interagency personnel and foreign partners, to address the challenges of the international security environment.

  The program’s location at Ft. Bragg ensures collaboration with the operational force, including Special Forces, the Joint Special Operations Command, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, and the JFK Special Warfare Center and School (the Army’s Irregular Warfare Proponent). Graduates of the program have enhanced strategic situational awareness and are better prepared for the complexities of special operations in interagency and multinational contexts.

JSOMA Viewbook →

Information Technology

All students should bring their own laptops. CISA suggests the following devices:

• • Laptop not older than 2-3 years, OS Windows 7,8,10, OS X El Capitan or later
  • • Please be aware that devices bought in foreign countries may not work on the NDU wireless network. If you are living outside the U.S., it is highly recommended that you wait to purchase a laptop until you arrive in the US.
• • Tablets, such as iPads and Microsoft Surface devices.
  • • Please note that assignment formatting functionality will be limited on tablet operating systems- such as the iPad's iOS Version 9.3.1, or Microsoft Windows RT 8 (used on many Surface tablets & other laptops). The Microsoft Office applications for tablets do not have full formatting functionality needed for student papers and the thesis.
  • • On Windows RT 8, certain eBooks are not downloadable, since Adobe Digital Editions cannot be downloaded and installed using that operating system.
  • • Tablets are acceptable for daily classroom use, but a laptop or desktop computer are needed for certain occasions, such as assignment submission.
  • • Computers are available for use (CAC access only) in the NDU Library, located in Marshall Hall on the second floor.

Most modern tablets running either Android or Apple iOS will be able to connect to the campus wireless network.

NDU has a wireless network, and a secure enterprise wired network. Students will receive a wireless network account allowing their use of their devices throughout the school and library. Students can request accounts to access the wired enterprise network. The library’s .mil café is open to students who need access to restricted .mil domains.

Students should bring their relatively new laptop or tablet to the In-Processing in August. Word processing will be available through the Microsoft Office365 platform. NDU recommends student devices be loaded with Microsoft Office or Open Office to allow for offline work, however it should be noted that MS Office is strongly preferred. Students should also protect their personal devices with anti-virus software appropriate for their device. More information about the NDU technology and computing environment is available at the below link:

IT Requirements and Guidance →