Military Education

The Panel on Military Education recommended that the National Defense University at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C., establish a National Center for Strategic Studies and revise the Capstone General/Flag Officer Course curriculum and length. Although the University has yet to establish a National Center for Strategic Studies, the functions for such a center are being carried out by several University groups--the National War College, the Institute for National Strategic Studies, and the Institute for Higher Defense Studies. The revised Capstone curriculum reflects a greater emphasis on strategy, but the course length remains six weeks. Capstone officials said that six weeks is optimal in meeting course objectives and curriculum development needs. Capstone is now run by the Institute of Higher Defense Studies, which is being reorganized. Therefore, the eventual placement of Capstone has yet to be determined. University officials support closer interaction between Capstone and the Institute for National Strategic Studies.

GAO found that: (1) the National Defense University has not created a National Center for Strategic Studies because the National War College, the Institute for National Strategic Studies, and the Institute for Higher Defense Studies already perform the proposed center's functions; (2) the Institute for National Strategic Studies' educational responsibilities include conducting research, symposia, war gaming, and educational support to the National Defense University; (3) the National War College provides research and training in national security strategy and policy from a joint, multiservice perspective; (4) the Institute for Higher Defense Studies administers the Capstone course; (5) the 1989 Capstone course provided inadequate instruction on national security strategy, lacked exposure to agencies and service commands supporting national security programs, and was of insufficient length; (6) Capstone revised its curriculum with a greater emphasis on strategy; and (7) closer interface between Capstone and the research-oriented Institute for National Strategic Studies could improve and consolidate the Capstone curriculum.