Notice2026-11925
Renewal of Department of Defense Federal Advisory Committees-Education for Seapower Advisory Board
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Published
June 15, 2026
Issuing agencies
Defense Department
Abstract
The Department of War (DoW) is publishing this notice to announce it is renewing the Education for Seapower Advisory Board (E4SAB) as a discretionary Federal advisory committee.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 114 (Monday, June 15, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 114 (Monday, June 15, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35969-35972]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-11925]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
Renewal of Department of Defense Federal Advisory Committees--
Education for Seapower Advisory Board
AGENCY: Department of Defense (DoD).
ACTION: Renewal of Federal advisory committee.
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SUMMARY: The Department of War (DoW) is publishing this notice to
announce it is renewing the Education for Seapower Advisory Board
(E4SAB) as a discretionary Federal advisory committee.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Freeman, Advisory Committee
Management Officer for the DoW, 703-692-5952.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DoW is renewing the E4SAB in accordance
with chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.) (commonly known
as the ``Federal Advisory Committee Act'' or ``FACA'') and 41 Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR) 102-3.50(d), and DoW policies and procedures.
The charter and contact information for the E4SAB's Designated Federal
Officer (DFO) are found at <a href="https://www.facadatabase.gov/FACA/apex/FACAPublicAgencyNavigation">https://www.facadatabase.gov/FACA/apex/FACAPublicAgencyNavigation</a>.
Consistent with 41 CFR 102-3.65(a), the DoW is publishing the
E4SAB's Public Interest Determination.
Pursuant to 41 CFR 102-3.60(a), to establish, renew, reestablish,
or merge a discretionary (agency discretion) advisory committee, an
agency must first consult with the General Services Administration's
Committee Management Secretariat (``the Secretariat'') and, as part of
the consultation, provide a written public interest determination
approved by the head of the agency to the Secretariat with a copy to
the Office of Management and Budget. In addition, pursuant to 41 CFR
102-3.35, an agency shall follow the same consultation process and
document in writing the same determination of need before creating a
subcommittee under a discretionary committee that is not made up
entirely of members of a parent advisory committee. Information on the
following factors for the E4SAB was provided to the Secretariat to
demonstrate that renewing the E4SAB is in the public interest:
1. Annual Budget: The DoW estimates annual operating costs to
support the E4SAB are $827,693, which includes personnel travel,
meetings, and contract support.
a. Federal personnel on a full-time equivalent (FTE) basis: The
estimated annual fully burdened personnel cost to the DoW is 3.00 full-
time equivalent at $660,000 which includes basic pay with cost-of-
living allowance (COLA).
b. Other Federal internal costs: Other administrative costs for the
E4SAB are $9,680.
c. Proposed payments to members: Consistent with 10 U.S.C. 173,
members of the E4SAB are not compensated for their services, except for
travel and per diem reimbursement for official E4SAB related business.
Estimated ex-officio regular government employee (RGE) cost in support
of the E4SAB is $50,000.
d. Proposed number of members: As authorized by the Secretary of
War (SecWar), the E4SAB will be composed of not more than 15 members.
e. Reimbursable costs: The estimated reimbursement costs, to
include travel, for E4SAB staff and members are $108,013.
2. If applicable, the total dollar value of grants expected to be
recommended during the Fiscal Year: N/A.
3. Criteria for selecting members to ensure the committee has the
necessary expertise and fairly balanced membership: As described in its
proposed charter and membership balance plan, the E4SAB shall be
composed of no more than 15 members, who are eminent leaders and
authorities in the fields of academia, business, national defense and
security, management, leadership, research and analysis. At least eight
members must be from academia. Of the 15 members, 2 individuals shall
be ex-officio RGE members:
(1) Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans,
Strategy, and Warfighting Development, United States Navy, Department
of the Navy (``the DCNO N3N5N7''); and
(2) Executive Deputy, Training and Education Command/Assistant
Deputy Commandant for Training and Education, United States Marine
Corps, Department of the Navy (DoN) (``the Executive Deputy, TECOM'').
In selecting members, the DoW seeks to capitalize on recognized
talented, innovative private and public sector leaders to provide the
broadest knowledge and expertise based on a balanced E4SAB membership
composition. The E4SAB membership is not static, and the SecWar and
Deputy Secretary of War (``the DoW Appointing Authority'') may change
the membership based upon work assigned to the E4SAB by the DoW
Appointing Authority or the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV), as the
E4SAB's DoW Sponsor.
4. List of all other DoW Federal Advisory Committees: A complete
listing of DoW Federal advisory committees can be located at: <a href="https://www.facadatabase.gov/FACA/s/account/001t000000DCAooAAH/department-of-defense">https://www.facadatabase.gov/FACA/s/account/001t000000DCAooAAH/department-of-defense</a>.
5. Justification that the information or advice provided by the
Federal advisory committee or subcommittee is not available from
another Federal advisory committee, another Federal Government source,
or any other more cost-effective and less burdensome source: The E4SAB
provides independent,
[[Page 35970]]
multidisciplinary advisory expertise spanning strategic naval, air,
space, cyberspace, defense, management, leadership, and academia--a
composition no commercial consulting service can replicate at
equivalent cost. The E4SAB provides advice and recommendations to the
DoN pertaining to the Naval Community College (NCC), the Naval
Postgraduate School (NPS), and the Naval War College (NWC) by focusing
on matters concerning professional military education as they pertain
to the United States Navy and military's clear mission: to protect the
American people and the homeland as the world's most lethal and
effective fighting force. These matters include, but are not limited
to, organizational management, curricula and methods of instruction,
facilities, issues of accreditation, and other aspects of the
organization and management of these schools.
The SECNAV has established three permanent subcommittees. These
subcommittees, when tasked in accordance with DoW policy and
procedures, shall provide advice and recommendations to the E4SAB as
described below for each respective subcommittee:
The NCC Subcommittee addresses issues and provides advice and
recommendations for the E4SAB to consider regarding the NCC's
accreditation and achievement of goals. In addition, this subcommittee
advises on the NCC's adherence to its institutional mission, attainment
of student outcomes, compliance with the Middle States Commission on
Higher Education (MSCHE) accreditation standards, and policies (as
applicable to and feasible for a government institution), and
achievement of institutional effectiveness and institutional
sustainability. Individuals appointed to this subcommittee shall be
eminent authorities in the fields of academia, management, leadership,
business, science and technology, defense, and national security.
The NPS Subcommittee addresses issues and provides advice and
recommendations for the E4SAB to consider regarding the NPS's
accreditation and achievement of goals. In addition, the subcommittee
advises on the NPS's adherence to its institutional mission, compliance
with Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and
University Commission (WSCUC) accreditation standards and policies (as
applicable to and feasible for a government institution), and
achievement of educational effectiveness and institutional
sustainability. Individuals appointed to this subcommittee shall be
eminent authorities in the fields of academia, science and technology,
operations research, strategic planning, defense analysis, national
security, and business.
The NWC Subcommittee addresses issues and provides advice and
recommendations for the E4SAB to consider regarding the NWC's
accreditation and achievement of goals. In addition, the subcommittee
advises on the NWC's adherence to its institutional mission, compliance
with New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) accreditation
standards and policies (as applicable to and feasible for a government
institution), and achievement of educational effectiveness and
institutional sustainability. Individuals appointed to this
subcommittee shall be eminent authorities in academia, science and
technology, public policy, national security, international relations,
political science, and economics.
While ultimate authority over the E4SAB resides within the DoW and
DoN chain of command, civilian academic accrediting bodies (such as the
MSCHE, WSCUC, and NECHE) require higher education institutions to
maintain an independent board. The E4SAB fulfills accreditation
governing board requirements under MSCHE, WSCUC, and NECHE standards by
acting as an independent advisory body. Without the E4SAB, the NCC,
NPS, and NWC risk loss of civilian accreditation, directly threatening
force recruiting, retention, and graduate credibility across the DoW.
The E4SAB provides expert advice and recommendations of all new
courses, degree plans, and financial management functions, ensuring
that the NCC, NPS, and NWC continue to operate rigorous educational
programs that are perfectly aligned with the Navy's mission, and as an
extension, the DoW's Joint Professional Military Education Program.
6. If the consultation is a committee renewal, a summary of the
previous accomplishments of the committee and the reasons it needs to
continue: E4SAB 2016-2024 Accomplishments: the E4SAB's advice and
recommendations to the DoW and the DoN resulted in the following (Note:
Prior to October 1, 2019, the E4SAB was titled the Board of Advisors to
the Presidents of the Naval Postgraduate School and the Naval War
College (NPS/NWC BoA):
<bullet> (2016) An accomplishment based on the NPS/NWC BoA's advice
and recommendations provided to the DoN, a change to policy to allow
enlisted service members access to postgraduate, resident education at
NPS in the cyber warfare program.
<bullet> (2016) An accomplishment based on the NPS/NWC BoA's advice
and recommendations provided to the DoN, Navy leadership moved forward
to fill vacancies of the NPS/NWC BoA and its subcommittees. Three new
members were appointed.
<bullet> (2017) An accomplishment based on the NPS/NWC BoA's advice
and recommendations provided to the DoN, Navy Office of the Judge
Advocate General and Navy Inspector General will work with NWC to
provide a timeline for completion, strengthen the submissions, and
forward packages for the educational institutions time and attendance
and copyright issues packages for legislative approval.
<bullet> (2018) An accomplishment based on the NPS/NWC BoA's advice
and recommendations provided to the DoN, Senior Navy Leadership took
appropriate steps to emphasize the importance of the NPS to the Navy
and to the Nation in the wake of the 2012 NAVINSGEN report.
<bullet> (2018) An accomplishment based on the NPS/NWC BoA's advice
and recommendations provided to the DoN, Navy conferred Flagship
Institution status for the NPS and the NWC.
<bullet> (2018) An accomplishment based on the NPS/NWC BoA's advice
and recommendations provided to the DoN, NPS developed a formal exit
interview program for departing faculty members with reason tracking.
<bullet> (2018) An accomplishment based on the NPS/NWC BoA's advice
and recommendations provided to the DoN, a tenure process at the NWC
institute.
<bullet> (2018) An accomplishment based on the NPS/NWC BoA's advice
and recommendations provided to the DoN, SECNAV agreed that NPS Faculty
should put papers forward proposing the work they want to do and he
will assist.
<bullet> (2018) An accomplishment based on the NPS/NWC BoA's advice
and recommendations provided to the DoN, NPS President provided DoN
authority to accept gifts from its Foundation up to $250,000.
<bullet> (2018) An accomplishment based on the NPS/NWC BoA's advice
and recommendations provided to the DoN, SECNAV formed an 11 member NPS
President Search Committee to include several members of the NPS/NWC
BoA to put forth a candidate for his consideration and a new NPS
President has been appointed.
<bullet> (2018) An accomplishment based on the NPS/NWC BoA's advice
and recommendations provided to the DoN,
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hiring freeze lifted and NPS able to add faculty to the staff.
<bullet> (2018) An accomplishment based on the NPS/NWC BoA's advice
and recommendations provided to the DoN, Navy placed renewed emphasis
on timely vetting of new board members and reapprovals of sitting
members.
<bullet> (2018) An accomplishment based on the NPS/NWC BoA's advice
and recommendations provided to the DoN, NWC summarized the space
shortages on campus and provided white paper on impacts to students.
<bullet> (2018) An accomplishment based on the NPS/NWC BoA's advice
and recommendations provided to the DoN, Navy reviewed the NPS
President's Sailing Directions memo for full implementation. The
majority of recommendations approved--some recommendations remain pre-
decisional or absorbed into other Navy initiatives.
<bullet> (2018) An accomplishment based on the NPS/NWC BoA's advice
and recommendations provided to the DoN, the Monterey Cybersecurity
Institute initiative is reviewed and considered by Navy.
<bullet> (2019) An accomplishment based on the NPS/NWC BoA's advice
and recommendations provided to the DoN, many of the authorities
restored to NPS leadership and climate at the school improved.
<bullet> (2019) An accomplishment based on the NPS/NWC BoA's advice
and recommendations provided to the DoN, the DoN established and filled
the position of Chief Learning Officer.
<bullet> (2019) An accomplishment based on the E4SAB's advice and
recommendations provided to the DoN, Navy outlined, defined, and
granted status to the NPS and the NWC as Flagship Institutions.
<bullet> (2019) Based on the E4SAB's advice and recommendations
provided to the DoN, the Work Acceptance Process was defined and
accepted by the NPS.
<bullet> (2019) An accomplishment based on the E4SAB's advice and
recommendations provided to the DoN, a functioning faculty council
group at the NWC was created.
<bullet> (2019) An accomplishment based on the E4SAB's advice and
recommendations provided to the DoN, Navy developed the POA&M for NPS
Sailing Directions.
<bullet> (2019) An accomplishment based on the E4SAB's advice and
recommendations provided to the DoN, a review by Navy sponsors and Navy
Leadership of Center for Civil Military Relations (CCMR) and NPS
relationship was conducted.
<bullet> (2019) An accomplishment based on the E4SAB's advice and
recommendations provided to the DoN, NPS formed partnerships with other
academic and industry leaders.
<bullet> (2019) An accomplishment based on the E4SAB's advice and
recommendations provided to the DoN, Navy cleared the way to permit the
NPS to be aligned with academic and industrial enterprises.
<bullet> (2019) An accomplishment based on the E4SAB's advice and
recommendations provided to the DoN, Navy worked with proper legal
authorities to enable the NPS Foundation to help support the Monterey
Cybersecurity Institute.
<bullet> (2020) The E4SAB was unable to provide any advice or
recommendations as all DoD FACA Committee operations were suspended by
the Secretary of Defense for a Department of Defense Zero-Based Review
(DoD ZBR).
<bullet> (2021) The E4SAB was unable to provide any advice or
recommendations for FY21 as it did not meet in FY21 due to the DoD ZBR.
<bullet> (2022) The E4SAB was unable to provide any advice or
recommendations for FY22 as it did not meet in FY22 due to the DoD ZBR.
<bullet> (2023) The E4SAB did not provide any advice or
recommendations for FY23 as the Navy focused on resuming E4SAB
operations and reconstituting its membership following the DoD ZBR.
<bullet> (2024) An accomplishment based on the E4SAB's advice and
recommendations provided to the DoN, recommended that the E4SAB review
the DoN Naval Education Strategy in order to provide SECNAV with
potential recommendations for the strategy's implementation.
<bullet> (2024) An accomplishment based on the E4SAB's advice and
recommendations provided to the DoN, NPS provided the E4SAB with data
on student and graduates receiving cyber related education to inform
their recommendations to the SECNAV regarding strategic initiatives to
improve naval education.
<bullet> (2024) An accomplishment based on the E4SAB's advice and
recommendations provided to the DoN, the NCC provided the E4SAB with an
end of fiscal year status update to inform their recommendations to the
SECNAV regarding strategic initiatives to improve naval education.
<bullet> (2024) An accomplishment based on the E4SAB's advice and
recommendations provided to the DoN was to invite students from each
naval education institution during its next meeting to provide members
with greater insight regarding the students' experiences and
perspectives.
<bullet> (2024) An accomplishment based on the E4SAB's advice and
recommendations provided to the DoN was a summary chart detailing the
current status of each 2018 Education for Seapower Study
recommendation.
<bullet> (2024) An accomplishment based on the E4SAB's advice and
recommendations provided to the DoN was that it could better obtain
additional Naval Education Enterprise stakeholder's input to inform
their recommendations to the SECNAV regarding strategic initiatives to
improve naval education.
<bullet> (2024) An accomplishment based on the E4SAB's advice and
recommendations provided to the DoN was to recommend a meeting include
two agenda items for discussion: (1) talent management, and (2) its
impact on naval education.
<bullet> (2024) An accomplishment based on the E4SAB's advice and
recommendations provided to the DoN was that it receives an overview
brief on talent management to better understand its scope and
challenges, and the impacts on the continuum of learning.
<bullet> (2024) An accomplishment based on the E4SAB's advice and
recommendations provided to the DoN was it receive 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.
<bullet> (2024) An accomplishment based on the E4SAB's advice and
recommendations provided to the DoN was the next E4SAB meeting agenda
items for discussion include: (1) Explore the potential utilization of
the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) program for faculty and staff
at NUS institutions; and (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.
<bullet> (2024) An accomplishment based on the E4SAB's advice and
recommendations provided to the DoN was that the DoN establish a Naval
Strategic Studies Group as a pilot in FY25.
<bullet> (2024) An accomplishment based on the E4SAB's advice and
recommendations provided to the DoN was that the Office of the DoD
Chief Talent Management Officer provide information regarding the DoD's
utilization of the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) program to
form future board recommendations regarding DoN talent management and
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opportunities for faculty collaboration across the Navy's education
institutions.
E4SAB 2025 Accomplishments: Following the Secretary of War's 2025
advisory committee stand-down directive, the E4SAB has not convened
since March 2025. DoW is actively reconstituting the E4SAB in FY26,
establishing updated bylaws and a revised charter that align with
current Administration priorities.
7. Explanation of why the committee/subcommittee is essential to
the conduct of agency business: The E4SAB directly advances the
Administration's core national security priorities by providing
independent advice and recommendations ensuring the NCC, NPS, and NWC's
curricula, doctrine, and research align with the goal of deterring
adversaries through strength--not weakness--by producing lethal,
operationally ready warriors trained for successful large-scale, high
kinetic, combat operations against peer adversaries who are imbued with
the essential Warrior Ethos to win decisively. The E4SAB advice and
recommendations allow the DoW and DoN to enforce a merit-based
framework of academic rigor and joint/civilian accreditation that
sustains the Warrior Ethos by demanding excellence at every level of
professional military education. Through its focus on lethality-based
education, the E4SAB's advice and recommendations to the DoW ensure
NCC, NPS, and NWC graduates are warfighters prepared to defend the
homeland and project overwhelming decisive force across all domains
around the globe to crush their enemies. Additionally, the E4SAB advice
and recommendations assist the DoW to fulfill the governing board
requirement under MSCHE, WSCUC, and NECHE, maintaining the civilian
accreditation that underpins recruiting, retention, and the credibility
of every degree and certificate the NCC, NPS, and NWC confers.
The E4SAB advances the DoW's core business of building lethal,
merit-based joint airpower warriors across the full spectrum of the
force through career-long Professional Military Education. The E4SAB
advice and recommendations assist the DoW in ensuring that NCC, NPS,
and NWC trains Sailors, Marines, and other military service members to
seamlessly leverage multi-domain power in large-scale combat
operations. The E4SAB supports NCC, NPS, and NWC's role as premier
research institutions, ensuring operationally relevant research reaches
sponsors across the joint force in direct support of the 2026 National
Defense Strategy and Joint Warfighting Concepts. The public or
interested organizations may submit written statements about the
E4SAB's mission and functions. All written statements shall be
submitted to the DFO for the E4SAB.
Dated: June 10, 2026.
Stephanie J. Bost,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2026-11925 Filed 6-12-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6001-FR-P
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