[United States Government Manual] [May 31, 1996] [Pages 239-240] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]National Defense University Building 62, 300 Fifth Avenue, Fort McNair, Washington, DC 20319-5066 Phone, 202-685-3922 President Lt. Gen. Ervin J. Rokke, USAF Vice President William G. Walker Chief of Staff Col. Eugene J. Davis, USA [[Page 240]] The National Defense University was established by the Department of Defense on January 16, 1976, thereby merging the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the National War College to form a university. Because the two senior service colleges are located at Fort McNair, Washington, DC, their close affiliation reduces administrative costs, provides for the sharing of faculty expertise and educational resources, and promotes a constructive dialog, which benefits both colleges. On August 16, 1981, the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, VA, an institution educating mid-career officers, was incorporated into the National Defense University. This action united the Department of Defense's three joint colleges under one university and allowed coordination of the curricula and professional development of its students and the sharing of its resources. The mission of the National Defense University is to ensure excellence in professional military education and research in the essential elements of national security. For further information, contact the Administrative Office, National Defense University, Building 62, 300 Fifth Avenue, Fort McNair, Washington, DC 20319-5066. Phone, 202-685-3958. ________________________________________________________________________