FACACLASSIC

Note: An Annual Comprehensive Review, as required by §7 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, is conducted each year on committee data entered for the previous fiscal year (referred to as the reporting year). The data for the reporting year is not considered verified until this review is complete and the data is moved to history for an agency/department. See the Data From Previous Years section at the bottom of this page for the committee’s historical, verified data.

Details on agency responses to committee recommendations can be found under the Performance Measures section for each committee in the fields “Agency Feedback” and “Agency Feedback Comment.”

DOD - 73529 - Education for Seapower Advisory Board - Agency Authority

GENERAL INFORMATION

Committee Name	Education for Seapower Advisory Board	Agency Name	Department of Defense
Fiscal Year	2025	Committee Number	73529
Original Establishment Date	3/31/2010	Committee Status	Chartered
Actual Termination Date		Committee URL	https://www.secnav.navy.mil/mra/E4SAB/Pages/Boa...
Actual Merged Date		Presidential Appointments*	No
New Committee This FY	No	Max Number of Members*	15
Terminated This FY	No	Designated Fed Officer Position Title*	Designated Federal Officer
Merged This FY		Designated Federal Officer Prefix	Dr.
Current Charter Date	6/24/2024	Designated Federal Officer First Name*	Kendy
Date Of Renewal Charter	6/24/2026	Designated Federal Officer Middle Name
Projected Termination Date		Designated Federal Officer Last Name*	Vierling
Exempt From Renewal*	No	Designated Federal Officer Suffix
Specific Termination Authority		Designated Federal Officer Phone*	(703) 614-1327
Establishment Authority*	Agency Authority	Designated Federal Officer Fax*
Specific Establishment Authority*	Secretary of Defense	Designated Federal Officer Email*	kendy.k.vierling.civ@us.navy.mil
Effective Date Of Authority*	3/31/2010
Exempt From EO 13875 Discretionary Cmte	Not Applicable
Committee Type*	Continuing
Presidential*	No
Committee Function*	Non Scientific Program Advisory Board

RECOMMENDATION/JUSTIFICATIONS

Agency Recommendation*	Continue
Legislation to Terminate Required	Not Applicable
Legislation Status	Not Applicable
How does cmte accomplish its purpose?*	The Education for Seapower Advisory Board (E4SAB) evaluates the effectiveness of the Naval War College (NWC), the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), and the United States Naval Community College (USNCC) in fulfilling their missions and meeting accreditation requirements. The E4SAB provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary of War, through the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV), on issues related to the NPS, NWC, and USNCC, including but not limited to organizational management, curricula and instructional methods, facilities, accreditation matters, and other aspects of program administration. The SECNAV consults with the E4SAB on all matters concerning governance standards established by each respective school's accreditation agency.
How is membership balanced?*	The E4SAB shall be composed of no more than 15 members, who are eminent authorities in the fields of academia, business, national defense and security, the defense industry, and research and analysis. At least 8 of E4SAB members shall be eminent authorities in the field of academia. The Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans, and Warfighting Development and the Commanding General, U.S. Marine Corps Training and Education Command, serve as ex-officio members of the E4SAB, having voting rights and counting toward the E4SAB’s total membership.
How frequent & relevant are cmte mtgs?*	The E4SAB will meet at the call of the E4SAB's Designated Federal Officer, in consultation with the Board's Chair and SECNAV. The estimated number of meetings of the Board is at least twice per year.
Why advice can't be obtained elsewhere?*	The E4SAB and its subcommittees are required by the Naval Postgraduate School, the Naval War College, and the U.S. Naval Community College institutional academic accreditation agencies. In accordance with accreditation standards, the institutions must maintain an active advisory board that offers independent advice to SECNAV on naval education programs. The range of backgrounds, expertise, and experiences of E4SAB members provide SECNAV with valuable insights, perspectives, and expertise that cannot be obtained within to the Department of the Navy.
Why close or partially close meetings?	Meetings are not closed to the public unless the Department of War ((DoW)/Department of Defense) determines that agenda items qualify for closed-session status under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. § 552b(c). Pursuant to DoW policy, closed meetings may only be authorized by the DoW Sponsor, who is the Secretary of the Navy or designee, following consultation with the appropriate General Counsel.
Recommendation Remarks	Due to the Department of War review of advisory committees, the E4SAB and its subcommittees did not meet in FY25. On April 24, 2025, the Secretary of War dismissed all members of the E4SAB and its subcommittees. The nomination and vetting process for new members is currently in progress.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Outcome Improvement To Health Or Safety*	Yes	Action Reorganize Priorities*	Yes
Outcome Trust In Government	Yes	Action Reallocate Resources	No
Outcome Major Policy Changes	Yes	Action Issued New Regulations	No
Outcome Advance In Scientific Research	Yes	Action Proposed Legislation	No
Outcome Effective Grant Making	No	Action Approved Grants Or Other Payments	No
Outcome Improved Service Delivery	Yes	Action Other	Yes
Outcome Increased Customer Satisfaction	Yes	Action Comment	The E4SAB ensures the NPS, the NWC, and the NCC are able to maintain their institutional academic accreditations.
Outcome Implement Laws/Reg Requirements	Yes	Grants Review*	No
Outcome Other	No	Number Of Grants Reviewed	0
Outcome Comment	An external board is mandated by the institutional academic accreditation agencies for the NPS, NWC, and USNCC.	Number Of Grants Recommended	0
Cost Savings*	Unable to Determine	Dollar Value Of Grants Recommended	$0.00
Cost Savings Comment	Cost savings is not the primary objective for the E4SAB; the primary focus is improved education in support of warfighting for the Department of the Navy, and Department of War through the Department of the Navy's education institutions. Cost savings is difficult to identify and quantify, however, more efficient and effective operations and education programs may realize cost avoidance or savings.	Grants Review Comment	N/A
Number Of Recommendations*	49	Access Contact Designated Fed. Officer*	Yes
Number Of Recommendations Comment	In FY25, the E4SAB did not issue any recommendations, as committee operations were suspended under the Department of War Advisory Committee review. The reported total number of recommendations is an estimate and may be higher, given that the E4SAB has been active since its inception in March 2010.	Access Agency Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented*	61.22%	Access Committee Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented Comment	1. The E4SAB received the full Navy Inspector General Report and met with the Secretary of Navy in person to discuss findings. 2. The Secretary of Navy appointed VADM (Ret) Ronald Route as President of the NPS. 3. ASN M&RA Memorandum of 15 April 2014 addressed the 2012 NAVINSGEN Report. 4. Senior Navy Leadership have taken appropriate steps to emphasize the importance of the NPS to the Navy and to the Nation in the wake of the 2012 Inspector General report. 5. NPS developed a formal exit interview program for departing faculty members tracking that reason(s) for departing. 6. Implemented a tenure process at the NWC. 7. Navy issued full closure on the IG Report of 2012. 8. Secretary of Navy concurred that NPS faculty develop papers proposing the work that they would to do and he will assist. 9. NPS President provided the ability to accept gifts from its Foundation up to $250,000. 10. Secretary of the Navy formed an eleven member NPS President Search Committee to include several members of the E4SAB to identify a candidate for his consideration and a new NPS President was appointed. 11. The hiring freeze has been lifted and NPS is now able to add faculty to the staff. 12. Many of the authorities have been restored to NPS leadership and the climate at the school improved. 13. The Department of Navy established the Office of the Chief Learning Officer in 2019. 14. The Secretary of the Navy provided the Board with the Education for Seapower Study report. 15. The E4SAB was provided with the Dept of the Navy General Counsel's Memorandum offering legal interpretation of the appropriate relationship between the NPS and the NPS Foundation. 16. The Navy defined and granted the NPS and the NWC "Flagship Institution" status. 17. The NPS defined and accepted the Work Acceptance Process. 18. The faculty council group was implemented at the NWC. 19. The Navy developed the plan of objectives and milestones for the NPS Sailing Directions. 20. The E4SAB Chair recommended that the E4SAB review the DON Naval Education Strategy in order to provide SECNAV with potential recommendations for the strategy implementation. 21. Recommend NPS provide the E4SAB with data on student and graduates receiving cyber related education. 22. Recommend the USNCC provide the E4SAB with an end of fiscal year status update. 23. Recommend inviting students from each naval education institution during the next E4SAB meeting to provide members greater insight regarding the students' experiences and perspectives. 24. Recommend an E4SAB summary chart detailing the current status of each 2018 Education for Seapower Study recommendation. 25. Recommend DON explore ways that the board could better obtain additional Naval Education Enterprise stakeholder's input to inform their recommendations to the Secretary of the Navy regarding strategic initiatives to improve naval education. 26. E4SAB members recommended that the next E4SAB meeting include two agenda items for discussion: (1) talent management, and its impact on naval education; and (2) climate-informed decision-making within naval education curricula. 27. The E4SAB members recommend that the board receives an overview brief on talent management to better understand its scope and challenges, and the impacts on the continuum of learning. 28. E4SAB members recommended receiving information regarding any constraints or concerns regarding the DON collaborating with external education institutions to increase opportunities for DON personnel seeking graduate education in critical fields such as cybersecurity and AI. 29. Recommended that the next E4SAB meeting agenda include three items for discussion: (1) Explore the potential utilization of the IPA program for faculty and staff at NUS institutions; (2) Discuss potential recommendations regarding partnership programs between the DON and external education institutions to increase opportunities for graduate education in domains such as cybersecurity and AI; (3) Discuss NUS institutions’ initiatives and opportunities for further collaboration to enhance climate related education. 30. The E4SAB voted unanimously to recommend that the DON establish a Naval Strategic Studies Group as a pilot in FY25, while developing the program structure for a FY26 launch.	Access GSA FACA Website	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented*	25.00%	Access Publications	No
% of Recs Partially Implemented Comment	1. Change to policy to allow enlisted Service Members with access to postgraduate, resident education at NPS in the cyber warfare program. 2. Navy leadership filled E4SAB and subcommittee membership vacancies. 3. NAV OJAG and NAVINSGEN worked with NWC to provide a timeline for completion, strengthen the submissions, and forward the packages for the educational institutions' time and attendance and copyright issues packages for legislative approval. 4. The Department of the Navy renewed emphasis on timely vetting of new board members and reapprovals of sitting members. 5. The NWC summarized the space shortages on campus and provided papers on the impacts to students. 6. Navy reviewed the NPS President's Sailing Directions memo for full implementation. The majority of recommendations were approved—some recommendations are pre-decisional or integrated into other Navy initiatives. 7. The Monterey Cybersecurity Institute initiative was reviewed and considered by Navy. 8. Navy leadership reviewed the Center for Civil Military Relations (CCMR) and NPS relationship. 9. NPS formed partnerships with other academic institutions and industry. 10. The Navy considered allowing the NPS to be aligned with academic and industrial enterprises. 11. The Navy worked with proper legal authorities to enable the NPS Foundation to help support the Monterey Cybersecurity Institute. 12. Recommended the Office of the DoD Chief Talent Management Officer provide information regarding the DoD’s utilization of the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) program to inform future board recommendations regarding DON talent management and opportunities for faculty collaboration across the NUS institutions.	Access Other	No
Agency Feedback*	Yes	Access Comment	N/A
Agency Feedback Comment*	Oversight of implementation of E4SAB recommendations is continuous. Many recommendations if adopted, may not be measured for implementation within the same fiscal year as presented to the DoW. The Secretary of the Navy and Undersecretary of Navy are invited to each meeting to brief the Board on new issues and to provide feedback on prior Board recommendations. Agency feedback is also provided by memorandum to the Board.	Narrative Description*	Recommendations by the E4SAB to ensure the Naval Postgraduate School remains in compliance with Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission accreditation standards and policies, the Naval War College remains in compliance with New England Commission of Higher Education accreditation standards and policies, and the U.S. Naval Community College is in compliance with Middle States Commission on Higher Education standards and policies requirements.

COSTS

1. Payments to Non-Federal Members*	$0.00	1. Est Paymnts to Non-Fed Membrs Nxt FY*	$0.00
2. Payments to Federal Members*	$0.00	2. Est. Payments to Fed Members Next FY*	$50,000.00
3. Payments to Federal Staff*	$253,715.00	3. Estimated Payments to Federal Staff*	$660,000.00
4. Payments to Consultants*	$0.00	4. Est. Payments to Consultants Next FY*	$0.00
5. Travel Reimb. For Non-Federal Membrs*	$0.00	5. Est Travel Reimb Non-Fed Membr nxtFY*	$75,000.00
6. Travel Reimb. For Federal Members*	$0.00	6. Est Travel Reimb For Fed Members*	$13,013.00
7. Travel Reimb. For Federal Staff*	$0.00	7. Est. Travel Reimb to Fed Staf Nxt FY*	$20,000.00
8. Travel Reimb. For Consultants*	$0.00	8. Est Travel Reimb to Consltnts Nxt FY*	$0.00
10. Other Costs	$0.00	10. Est. Other Costs Next FY*	$9,680.00
11. Total Costs	$253,715.00	11. Est. Total Next FY*	$827,693.00
Date Cost Last Modified	9/9/2025 12:25 PM	Est. Fed Staff Support Next FY*	3.00
Federal Staff Support (FTE)*	1.00	Est Cost Remarks	The E4SAB travel budget is projected to increase in FY26 to support planned institutional visits by the parent committee and its subcommittees. In FY25, the E4SAB did not convene due to the Department of War Advisory Committee review. During FY25, the DON E4SAB staff reviewed the E4SAB documentation and processes to ensure compliance with the President's Executive Orders, Secretary of War, and SECNAV guidance, while ensuring continued alignment with the NPS, NWC, and USNCC's institutional accreditation requirements. Travel costs in FY26 may increase to enable members to conduct site visits to the academic institutions.
Cost Remarks	Due to the Department of War Advisory Committee review, the E4SAB did not convene in FY25. During this period, staff focused on advancing committee standards and policies, as well as ensuring compliance with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission accreditation requirements. Travel costs are projected to increase in the next fiscal year to support member site visits to academic institutions.

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