We are pleased to announce NVIDIA, Dell Technologies, and Sterling as the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation’s Corporate Partners of the Year for 2025.
Their generous investments of hardware, software and services are fueling AI-enabled research and supporting the development and application of modeling and simulation tools, AI platforms and collaborative environments that advance education and operational capability development. Together, the 2025 recipients are empowering students, faculty, federal sponsors and industry partners with cutting-edge resources.
"We need to equip our leaders with the knowledge and skills to help evolve technology solutions at the pace of modern combat, and I see this happening now at NPS." - The Hon. John Phelan
The Honorable John Phelan, 79th Secretary of the Navy, visited the Naval Postgraduate School on May 29.
Phelan met with NPS senior leaders and faculty, and toured the campus engaging with the school's mid-career military students to hear about their studies and applied research whose recent operational experience informs their work.
Several NPS students had an opportunity to present their research to Phelan showcasing their innovative work in ship systems engineering, acquisition reform, artificial intelligence, ocean sensing, autonomy, space, and additive manufacturing.
"It was a real pleasure meeting NPS students and faculty yesterday and seeing how they're working with industry to bring innovation, capability and cost control to our warfighting domains,” said Phelan. Read more.
The Naval Postgraduate School celebrated its 2025 Spring Quarter graduates during a commencement ceremony, June 18 at King Hall auditorium. A total of 375 warrior-scholars—including 32 allied and partner military officers representing 21 nations worldwide — received their advanced degrees in defense-focused disciplines.
Rear Adm. Christopher J. Sweeney, Director of Integrated Warfare (N9I) on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, served as the keynote speaker. In his address, Sweeney underscored the pivotal role NPS graduates will play in leading the Navy and Joint Force through a period of accelerating strategic and technological change.
“You stand at the threshold of a new chapter, equipped with knowledge, sharpened instincts, and the unyielding spirit that defines a leader. You are hard-hitters—the sharp edge of maritime dominance, the ones who push the boundaries, the minds who refuse to accept anything less than excellence.”
Sweeney emphasized the Navy’s need for intellectual warfighters—leaders who can innovate, adapt, and make decisive contributions across every domain. He praised NPS for cultivating officers who fuse academic rigor with operational relevance, describing the institution as foundational to maritime innovation and critical to the future readiness of the Fleet and Joint Force. Read more.
The experimental component of Joint Exercise Southern California, which took place May 5-16, united cross-service personnel to demonstrate how warfighters will rapidly produce mission-critical parts in expeditionary environments for combatant commanders using advanced and digital manufacturing.
Engineers and innovation specialists from Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Corona Division, NPS’ Consortium for Advanced Manufacturing Research and Education (CAMRE), and the U.S. Army’s Development Command (DEVCOM) trained warfighters on the full manufacturing pipeline, from reverse engineering broken components to producing new parts on hybrid machines.
Exercise Impact:
This effort strengthens operational readiness by giving deployed forces the tools to produce parts on demand, reducing downtime and increasing reliability in the field. Watch now.
Lt. Caroline Kelly, a METOC student at NPS, conducted cryoacoustics research in the Arctic as part of her thesis, gathering data critical to anti-submarine warfare, under-ice communications, and environmental sensing. Working alongside NPS faculty and alumni, Kelly’s fieldwork supports the Department of Defense’s Arctic strategy and highlights the school’s commitment to mission-driven, operationally relevant research.
Key Impacts:
Defense MOVES Summit Highlights Student Research and Strategic Applications of Modeling and Simulation
Senior leaders, industry and alumni joined NPS’ Defense Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation Summit to discuss future challenges and opportunities in training and readiness. While keynotes provided strategic context, student and alumni research was the highlight generating immediate interest from across the services. Among the standout projects was alumnus Maj. Will Oblak, MOVES '25, whose work using LVC environments to simulate electronic warfare effects is now being advanced in partnership with the Marine Corps Software Factory to provide a Fleet-wide training solution. Watch this year's student research presentations for more impactful projects. Read more.
Microgrid Innovations Research Center at NPS hosts Student Research Showcase
An interdisciplinary collective of students and faculty is advancing all aspects of innovative approaches to defense energy systems through the new Microgrid Innovations Research Center (MIRC). Nearly 100 NPS students have contributed research on all aspects of microgrids over the years, including recent graduate, U.S. Navy Lt. Yongsung (Andrew) Cho, developing a field-programmable gate-array based virtual twin of a zonal nanogrid that will enable important future research. Watch the MIRC Student Research Showcase to learn more about current research.
Math Acceleration Lab at NPS Strengthens Calculus Foundations Through Personalized Mentorship
Military members and government employees returning to academic studies at NPS now have access to a resource designed to sharpen foundational math skills and support defense-focused education: the Math Acceleration Lab. Student mentors dedicate several hours each week to guide calculus-enrolled students through course material exercises and explanations. Using visualization techniques and iterative problem-solving, they break down complex concepts and foster strong mathematical habits. After MAL mentors graduate from NPS, they will transition into future faculty roles at DOD institutions, including the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, or staying at NPS, where they will be teaching and advising mathematics.
NPS alumnus and students support Marine Corps AI Implementation Plan
As the U.S. Marine Corps advances its Artificial Intelligence Implementation Plan, the Naval Postgraduate School is playing a pivotal role in operationalizing AI across the force. Capt. Christopher D. Clark, a 2023 NPS computer science graduate, now leads the Corps’ AI efforts, while current NPS students, Maj. John McClinton, Capt. Connor Ybarra, and Capt. Rayce Blair, recently supported II MEF’s first AI Task Force by applying classroom knowledge to real-time capability development. This collaboration underscores NPS’s impact in accelerating digital transformation and preparing military leaders to drive innovation at the tactical edge. Read more
Every Commander a Wargamer: Reforming Wargaming Education for the Fleet
The Naval Postgraduate School is advancing the "Every Commander a Wargamer" initiative to integrate wargaming as a foundational skill in naval officer education. Led by faculty and supported by Navy leadership, the program provides formal instruction and practical application to ensure officers can design, run and assess wargames that inform real-world operations. That work was on full display during last week’s Wargaming Week at NPS, as students conducted sponsor-driven games tackling current and future challenges.
Omniverse Special Interest Group Kicks Off at NPS
Along with the CRADA between NPS and NVIDIA comes access to the company’s Omniverse platform for developing artificial intelligence powered applications. Students and faculty gathered recently to explore the platform’s capabilities and how they could be applied to their naval and defense-focused NPS research, with the inaugural meeting of the Omniverse Special Interest Group. The SIG introduced attendees to the power of Omniverse and how it can be leveraged for research, teaching, theses, and capstone projects. Participants gained insights on how to access the platform, saw examples of successful implementations, and learned about upcoming opportunities for hands-on demos and technical support. Future SIG sessions will also offer training with materials provided by NVIDIA.
NPS, Cal State Monterey Bay Forge Partnership to Advance STEM Education and Regional Innovation
The Naval Postgraduate School and Cal State Monterey Bay have established a strategic partnership to expand STEM education, research collaboration and regional workforce development. This alliance strengthens pathways for student engagement in defense-related innovation and enhances faculty cooperation across institutions. The agreement positions NPS as a central hub for advancing national security through academic and regional partnerships. Read more.
What Threatens Human Control of Military AI
By Lt. Cmdr. Anthony Becker, Student, NPS Data Sciences
How Iran Lost
By Dr. Afshon Ostovar, Associate Professor, Associate Chair for Research, National Security Affairs Dept.
BONUS: Is regime change in Iran possible, or desirable? [Podcast]
Interview with Dr. Afshon Ostovar
How tough is Iran? A string of military losses raises questions
Quoted – Dr. Afshon Ostovar
Strategic enabler: South Korea’s defense industry and its expanding role in NATO security
By Jihoon Yu, MA in Security Affairs ‘06
The Evolving Role of U.S. Forces in Korea and Its Implications for the ROK-U.S. Alliance
By Jihoon Yu, MA in Security Affairs ‘06
Could artificial intelligence make war and peace decisions?
Interview with Russ Berkoff, MS in Defense Analysis ‘98
Trident Room Podcast Ep. 67: Shoemaker Scholars
Interview with U.S. Navy Ensigns Grace Casey and Dutton Rogers
Mother Ship with USV Flotilla Could Boost Coast Guard Capabilities
By Shelley Gallup, PhD, Research Associate Professor, Information Sciences
Sea Control Podcast Episode 576: Rescuing Heritage from Humiliation
Dr. Tommy Jamison, Assistant Professor of Strategic Studies
From Air Force One to Economic Entanglement: The Real Stakes of Trump’s Middle East Diplomacy
By Paul Rasmussen, Associate Professor with the U.S. Naval War College at the Naval Postgraduate School
Why is the French government so worried about the Muslim Brotherhood?
By Mohammed Hafez, Professor National Security Affairs
High-Level Political Decisions Often Require Engaged Leadership on the Deckplates
By Lt. Cmdr. Jordan Spector, MS in Engineering Acoustics ‘21
S6E21 Ron Higgs | Systems Thinking, People Skills, & Executive Leadership
By Ron Higgs, MS in Systems Engineering ‘03
Jet Trails & Tall Tales: E. Vincent 'Jello-O' Aiello Discusses 'Through the Yellow Visor'
E. Vincent Aiello, ‘04 School of Aviation at NPS '04
Allison Gregory excels at contracting — and crafting
Interview with Allison Gregory, MS in Systems Engineering Management
John Scott Wedemeyer: From Fighter Jet Cockpits to Global Skies
Interview with Lt. Col. John S. Wedemeyer, USMC (Ret.), Aviation Safety Certificate ‘00
Trump administration picks new DARPA director
Lt. Cmdr. Stephen Winchell, MS in Applied Physics ‘06
Brian Broderick Steps In as Acting Chief of USCIS Verification Division
Brian Broderick, MBA in Acquisition Logistics ‘04
Fair Winds and Following Seas: Farewell to Captain Lydia Doye
Capt. Lydia Doye (Ret.), MS in Leadership, Education and Human Resources Development ‘05
Three MCIC innovators earn top cyber, intel and space honors at MCA awards dinner
Lt. Col. Jameson Payne, MS in Electrical Engineering ‘20
NUWC Division, Keyport Deputy, Mission Execution Bill Carlson recognized with Special Act Award
William Carlson, MS in System Engineering Management '17, CERT OF COMPL Human Systems Integration '17
Leaders announce new Gainesville Fire Rescue chief
Deputy Fire Chief Joseph Hillhouse, MS in Security Studies '19
Col. J.P. McDonough Named Leader Of Texas A&M DC And Bush School DC
Col. James P. McDonough (Ret.), MS in MOVES ‘05
New exhibits and events coming to the Kennedy Space Center
Capt. Winston Scott (Ret.), MS in Aeronautical Engineering ‘80
Magette and Townsend Enter Nuclear Engineering’s Hall of Fame
Lawrence Townsend, MS in Physics ‘70
Nancy Dragani Joins IEM as Mid-West Region Account Executive
Nancy Dragani, MS in Security Studies ‘10
Pentagon Announces New Flag Nominees Including Commanders of 5th, 7th Fleets
China is bringing gray-zone warfare to space
Task Force 66 Applies Lessons Learned From Black Sea Battle Lab to Exercise BALTOPS 25
US Navy is aggressively telling startups, ‘We want you’
Oracle Unveils Initiative to Help Companies Sell Tech to the Pentagon
Palantir, Meta, OpenAI execs to commission into Army reserve, form ‘Detachment 201’
The defense acquisition system is broken — it’s time for an overhaul
Representatives Mike Rogers and Adam Smith detail the House Armed Services Committee's SPEED Act — a bold, bipartisan reform effort to overhaul our broken acquisition system.
New Pentagon memo tightens non-commercial tech procurement rules in line with executive order
Inside the Navy’s strategic pursuit to prototype and deploy genAI at scale
How China Could Counter U.S. Intervention in War Over Taiwan
