WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of War said it cannot support the Senate-passed version of a rotorcraft oversight bill because it would impose new costs and create operational security risks, while separately ordering a major reshaping of senior officer education that will end multiple fellowship programs—including all graduate-level professional military education fellowships and certificate programs with Harvard University—starting in the 2026-27 academic year.
What This Means for You
- The Pentagon is urging changes to a rotorcraft safety and transparency bill, warning the current Senate version would create “unresolved budgetary burdens” and “operational security risks.”
- Senior military education fellowships are being cut for 2026-27 and beyond, including Harvard programs, while currently enrolled students can finish.
- The department is preparing a replacement list of “elite institutions” and new partner programs to host future fellowships.
Rotorcraft Bill Faces Pentagon Pushback
Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said the Department of War worked with the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform Act but argued the version that passed the Senate left out “mutually discussed updates.”
Parnell said the department supports the legislation’s “intent and objectives” but warned the current text would create “significant unresolved budgetary burdens and operational security risks affecting national defense activities.” He said the department remains ready to continue talks with Congress to meet aviation safety goals while protecting sensitive operational capabilities.
The statement thanked Senate sponsors and negotiators including Chairman Ted Cruz, Ranking Member Maria Cantwell, and Sens. Jerry Moran, Roger Marshall, and Tammy Duckworth.
Senior Officer Education Shift Ends Multiple Fellowships
In a separate action dated Friday, the Secretary of War signed a memorandum titled “Aligning Senior Service College Opportunities with American Values,” directing the department to “strategically refocus” senior officer education to align with the “warrior ethos,” the National Defense Strategy, and “American values.”
The memo describes Professional Military Education, or PME, as the system used to educate and develop military leaders, and says it must produce senior leaders who can “think critically, free of bias and influence,” with instruction grounded in U.S. founding principles and focused on national security strategy.
Beginning with the 2026-27 academic year, the department said it is eliminating certain Senior Service College fellowship programs “and beyond,” and directing the compilation of a revised list of partner institutions to replace those being cut. The memo states the policy applies to all Department of War personnel starting with the 2026-27 year, while those already enrolled in the 2025-26 cycle may complete their programs.
The directive assigns the Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness to lead implementation and ensure compliance across the force.
Which Fellowships Are Being Cancelled
An attachment to the memorandum lists 22 institutions where Senior Service College fellowships are being canceled, totaling 93 fellowship slots.
The canceled list includes Harvard University (21 students), Saint Louis University (8), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (7), Tufts University (6), Georgetown University (6), Carnegie Mellon University (5), and others, along with several Washington-based nonprofit institutions such as the Center for Strategic and International Studies (4), New America Foundation (2), The Brookings Institution (2), Atlantic Council (2), Center for a New American Security (2), and Council on Foreign Relations (2).
The same attachment lists the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies West Space Scholars Program at 11 students, and also includes one international program—Queen’s University in Canada—at one student.
Potential New Partner Institutions
A second attachment lists potential replacement partners, grouped into senior military colleges, Department of War or broader U.S. government programs, and civilian education institutions.
The list includes The Citadel, University of North Georgia, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; U.S. government-affiliated programs such as the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies, the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies, and the Africa Center for Strategic Studies; and civilian schools including Liberty University, George Mason University, Pepperdine University, University of Tennessee, University of Michigan, University of Nebraska, Iowa State University, University of North Carolina, Clemson University, Arizona State University, Baylor University, University of Florida, Regent University, Auburn University, and Hillsdale College.
The department said these potential partners were selected based on criteria that include “intellectual freedom,” “minimal relationships with adversaries,” “minimal public expressions in opposition of the Department,” and the presence of graduate-level programs tied to national security, international affairs, and/or public policy.
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