The Department of Defense is conducting a wide-ranging review of its educational partnerships, a move that has already resulted in severing ties with Harvard University. A recently circulated internal U.S. Army email has intensified the situation, identifying 33 prominent private universities as carrying a "moderate" to "high" risk for military education programs, leaving service members and academic institutions in a state of uncertainty.
The email, which surfaced last week, advised military personnel applying to these institutions to prepare a "backup plan" in case the Pentagon also terminates these partnerships. The development has sent ripples through both military and academic circles, as the criteria for these risk assessments remain undisclosed by defense officials.
Key Takeaways
- An internal U.S. Army email identifies 33 private universities as "moderate" to "high" risk for military education programs.
- The Department of Defense has officially cut ties with Harvard University, labeling it "fully off limits" for its programs.
- The Pentagon has not publicly released the criteria used to determine a university's risk level.
- Service members have been advised to have alternative educational plans due to the ongoing review.
A Broad Review with Unclear Standards
The Department of Defense (DoD) has confirmed it is re-evaluating its relationships with numerous institutions of higher learning, but it has not publicly named the schools under scrutiny beyond Harvard. The leaked Army email provides the first concrete glimpse into the scope of this review, listing a host of well-regarded universities across the country.
Among the institutions named are several Ivy League schools, including Yale, Princeton, Cornell, Columbia, and the University of Pennsylvania. Other notable universities on the list include Stanford, MIT, Duke, Johns Hopkins, and Georgetown. The list is not limited to elite coastal schools; it also includes institutions like Vanderbilt University, Emory University, and Wake Forest University.
The lack of official criteria for what constitutes a "risk" has caused significant confusion. The email did not elaborate on the methodology behind the labels. This ambiguity has left universities, faculty, and prospective military students questioning the basis for the designations and what might happen next. A defense official acknowledged that the list remains "up in the air," suggesting that final decisions have not been made for most of the schools named.
The Role of Advanced Civilian Education
The DoD regularly sends high-performing service members to civilian universities to pursue advanced degrees. These programs are critical for developing specialized skills in fields like law, medicine, international relations, engineering, and business administration. Graduates often return to fill key leadership and technical roles within the military, from becoming military attorneys (JAGs) to leading complex logistical operations.
Harvard Designated "Fully Off Limits"
The catalyst for the current uncertainty was the Pentagon's public decision to end its partnership with Harvard University for professional military education programs and fellowships. The internal email reinforced this directive, stating the university is now "fully off limits" for DoD-funded educational pursuits.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has been vocal in his criticism of the institution, previously describing Harvard as "one of the red-hot centers of Hate America activism." This public stance provides some context for the decision regarding Harvard but offers little clarity on why the other 33 universities were flagged.
An Army spokesperson confirmed that the review extends beyond Harvard, but stated that no further decisions have been finalized. The review also includes public universities, though none were named in the leaked email, adding another layer of uncertainty for service members considering state schools for their advanced education.
A Diverse Group of Institutions
The list of 33 universities is geographically and academically diverse, spanning from Boston College and Northeastern University in the Northeast to Pepperdine University and the University of Southern California on the West Coast. It even includes an international institution, the London School of Economics.
Impact on Military Students and Recruitment
The immediate consequence of this review is the disruption it causes for military personnel planning their educational and career paths. Admission to these advanced degree programs is highly competitive, and service members spend years preparing their applications. The advice to formulate a "backup plan" introduces a significant complication into this rigorous process.
Many service members, professors, and university administrators have expressed surprise and concern over the news. The sudden nature of the announcement, communicated through a leaked internal email rather than a formal policy directive, has created an information vacuum. Without clear guidance from the Pentagon, both students and institutions are left to speculate about their standing.
"Prospective military students should have a 'backup plan' in case the Pentagon cuts ties with these schools," the internal Army email stated, highlighting the immediate concern for current applicants.
The review could potentially affect access to Tuition Assistance and other military-funded educational benefits at these schools. These programs are a cornerstone of the military's recruitment and retention efforts, offering a path to higher education as a key incentive for enlistment and continued service.
The Full List of Flagged Universities
For service members and their families, understanding which institutions are under review is critical for future planning. The 33 private universities identified in the internal Army email are listed below.
- American University
- Boston College
- Boston University
- Brown University
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Case Western Reserve University
- College of William & Mary
- Columbia University
- Cornell University
- Duke University
- Emory University
- Florida Institute of Technology
- Fordham University
- George Washington University
- Georgetown University
- Hawaii Pacific University
- Johns Hopkins University
- London School of Economics
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- New York University (NYU)
- Northeastern University
- Northwestern University
- Pepperdine University
- Princeton University
- Stanford University
- Tufts University
- University of Miami
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Southern California (USC)
- Vanderbilt University
- Wake Forest University
- Washington University in St. Louis
- Yale University
As the Department of Defense continues its evaluation, thousands of military students and dozens of universities await further clarification. The outcome of this review will likely have a lasting impact on the relationship between the U.S. military and the nation's leading academic institutions.
