EDUCATION at Their Command
Black leadership at National Defense University oversees education, training of top military, civilian officials.
FORT McNAIR, WASHINGTON, D.C.
Much has been written about Secretary of State Colin Powell and National Security Advisor Dr. Condoleezza Rice — two African American key players in the Bush administration's "war on terror." But there are other African American officials, perhaps not as high profile, who also are making an impact on this country's national security strategy.
Boasting long and distinguished military careers, Maj. Gen. Reginal Clemmons of the U.S. Army and Brig. Gen. Roosevelt Mercer Jr. of the U.S. Air Force head up National Defense University's National War College and Joint Forces Staff College respectively. They are also the first African Americans to serve as commandants of the two colleges, which were established in 1946.
As commandants, (the equivalent of a college dean) a nominative position that rotates among the Army, Navy and Air Force, Clemmons and Mercer oversee their respective college's education and training of the military's and related governmental agencies' cream of the crop. The student body, two-thirds military and one-third civilian, is typically made up of individuals between 40 to 45 years old. They are not admitted to National Defense University (NDU), rather they come highly recommended for their leadership potential to attend what is considered to be the nation's premier center for joint professional military education.
Being selected to attend NDU is a "gem of an assignment," says Capt. Charles D. "Duke" Smith, who retired from the Navy in 1997 after 25 years of service.
"In my opinion, NDU has a strong reputation for providing situations where senior officers and civilians can learn how to deal with political military situations that will face our nation and its allies," says Smith, whose last assignment was as director of marketing and communications at the Navy Recruiting Command in Arlington, Va. He adds, "NDU also provides officers an opportunity to broaden their thinking and avail themselves to some of the leading defense educators and policy thinkers available."
