Harvard’s Military Programs Get a Cutback

The Department of Defense announced that it will end its partnership with Harvard’s Kennedy School for graduate military education. Secretary Pete Hegseth, who studied at the same institution, explained that the programs no longer fit the needs of the Pentagon or the armed forces. As a result, all professional military fellowships and certificate courses offered by Harvard’s Kennedy School will stop next academic year.This decision removes a key training avenue for officers who had previously benefited from the university’s resources. The move reflects a broader shift in how the military seeks educational support, possibly favoring institutions with more tailored curricula. Observers note that the change could affect career development for many service members and alter the relationship between academia and defense. The Pentagon’s decision underscores a reassessment of which academic partners best align with national security objectives.