The War Department has issued a formal declaration announcing the immediate termination of all academic and professional relationships with Harvard University. The announcement, released via the organization’s official social media channels, specifies that the severance of ties applies comprehensively to all Professional Military Education (PME) tracks, fellowship opportunities, and certificate programs previously facilitated through the Ivy League institution.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth today announced the War Department would sever its academic ties with Harvard University, because attendance at the school no longer meets the needs of the War Department or the military services.
The decision appears to be driven by significant ideological divergences between the two entities. In a direct statement regarding the split, representatives for The War Department characterized the move as a rejection of Harvard’s current institutional culture, stating, “Harvard is woke; The War Department is not.” This categorical explanation highlights a distinct rift over perceived political and social values, resulting in the organization labeling the separation as “long overdue.”
Professional Military Education and associated fellowships are typically utilized as pathways for leadership development, offering participants access to advanced curricula and networking opportunities at elite universities. By formally ending these programs, The War Department is effectively redirecting its educational focus and resources away from Cambridge. This development implies that personnel associated with The War Department will no longer be authorized or sponsored to pursue credentials through Harvard’s various schools.
The move underscores a broader, ongoing debate regarding the alignment of traditional or military-focused institutions with modern higher education establishments. As of this report, The War Department has not specified if it intends to establish replacement partnerships with other universities or if it will seek to internalize these educational functions. The cancellation covers the full spectrum of academic cooperation, signaling a total disengagement from Harvard University effective immediately.
