Naval Postgraduate School

“NPS is not simply another military institution. It is our nation’s premier STEM-focused military graduate school, and one of the few places where operational experience meets advanced scientific inquiry in direct support of our national security.”

Well stated by U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. William J. Bowers, deputy commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, during NPS’ 2026 Spring Quarter Graduation ceremony, held June 18 on the NPS campus.

In his address, Bowers emphasized the value of the graduates' intellectual agility and technical expertise honed through their studies, especially in an era shaped by advancing technologies like AI, autonomous systems, cyber warfare, and many others.

“These technologies will matter only if leaders like you can move them from prototypes into operational units, planning cycles, training pipelines, and battlefield decision-making. And that is where your value comes in,” Bowers stressed. “All of you in this graduating class are the leaders who will solve problems that do not yet have names. The knowledge and experiences you’ve gained here is valuable … What you choose to do with it now is up to you.”

Today’s class included 405 graduates — 207 U.S. Navy, 68 U.S. Marine Corps, 34 U.S. Army, four U.S. Air Force, two U.S. Coast Guard, five U.S. Navy Reserve, 56 civilian and 29 international graduates representing 18 partner nations. Among the graduates, five earned doctoral degrees, 63 students completed their studies through distance learning programs, 25 were recognized as Meyer Scholars, and 102 completed Joint Professional Military Education requirements.

• Check out the full story: https://nps.edu/-/nps-celebrates-400-new-graduates-during-spring-quarter-commencement
• Learn more about the graduating class, and watch the full ceremony: https://www.nps.edu/graduation

U.S. Navy | U.S. Marine Corps | Manpower & Reserve Affairs, Marines

From Monterey to the Moon … and back!! The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) proudly welcomed Artemis II mission pilot and NPS alumnus U.S. Navy Capt. Victor Glover to campus, June 16, for an engaging Secretary of the Navy Guest Lecture detailing his history-making flight around the Moon!

“[NPS] helped me to become a better version of myself,” Glover said. “This place not only helped me to do my job better, but it helped me to have a perspective about my job that I very much care about to this day. It's so interesting to grow, not just academically to say that I got a degree, but for it to put all the work that you do into context … So I am super grateful for this place.”

Glover thrilled a packed King Hall auditorium with his presentation on the Artemis II team’s 10-day mission, the exhaustive training needed to execute it, and its role in advancing NASA’s plans to return to the lunar surface with Artemis IV in early 2028.

With NPS’ Spring Quarter graduation ceremony just two days away, today’s visit with one of the school’s most notable graduates is especially meaningful, as the latest class of soon-to-be NPS alumni prepares to return to the fleet and force. Glover’s presentation — and engaging lessons on leadership, resilience, and teamwork — served to inspire future NPS graduates to lead from the front, and leave their own marks on their respective services, nations and each other.

From naval aviator to test pilot to NASA Astronaut, Glover's journey demonstrates how advanced education, determination, and a passion for discovery combine to shape the future of our nation, and drive human exploration beyond Earth.

• Couldn’t make it to campus? Watch Glover's full lecture on the NPS YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/YyBkZkT4MQw
• Learn more about the Artemis II team’s historic flight: https://nps.edu/-/naval-postgraduate-school-alumni-lead-nasa-s-artemis-ii-moon-mission
• More about NPS education and research programs in space systems: https://nps.edu/-/from-astronauts-to-cubesats-space-education-and-research-at-nps-pushes-boundaries

U.S. Navy | U.S. Marine Corps | The Office of the Chief of Naval Operations | Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao | NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration | NASA Artemis

Just released! U.S. Navy Lt. Mary Racicot, winner of the annual U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings Essay Contest sponsored by the NPS Foundation, is the guest on the latest episode of the “Proceedings Podcast,” hosted by editor in chief Bill Hamblet.

Racicot won the essay contest for her article, "Sprinkle Some Cyber on It: How joint exercises train commanders to get cyber exactly wrong,” based on her NPS thesis research exploring the shortfalls in traditional wargaming that are shaping commanders’ perceptions of and planning with cyber.

Hamblet goes deeper into Racicot’s premise, discussing her own experiences as a maritime cyber warfare officer that led to her research while at NPS.

The essay contest isn’t the only prize Racicot is taking home for her award-winning research. She’s also the 2026 Spring Quarter recipient of the "Commander George L. Phillips Modeling, Virtual Environments, & Simulation Award” in recognition of her NPS thesis.

Racicot graduates this Thursday with a Master of Science in Modeling, Virtual Environments, and Simulation (MOVES) during Spring Quarter graduation, June 18 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific.

• Listen to the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8ncIyAc1zw
• Read Racicot’s award-winning essay: https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2026/june/sprinkle-some-cyber-it
• More about MOVES at NPS: https://movesinstitute.nps.edu/home
• Watch Spring Quarter Graduation: https://nps.edu/graduation

U.S. Navy | U.S. Marine Corps | U.S. Naval Institute | Naval Postgraduate School Foundation & Alumni Association

“NPS research succeeds because it is grounded in operational reality,” NPS Vice Provost of Research and Innovation Dr. Michael Hesse said. “Our students bring real-world challenges into the classroom and laboratory, helping ensure our research addresses problems that matter to the warfighter.”

Several operationally-inspired student research projects focused on advancing energy resilience and security were on full display during the Microgrid Innovations Research Center (MIRC) Spring 2026 Workshop and Student Research Showcase, held May 28 on the NPS campus.

Led by Dr. Douglas Van Bossuyt, associate professor of systems engineering, the MIRC enables critical student research in microgrids, nanogrids, digital twins and more — as well as the operational cybersecurity of these related technologies — all connected to the broader goal of strengthening energy resilience for military operations.

“Electricity must be continuously available for mission-critical activities, regardless of conditions such as attacks, blackouts, extreme weather, and other issues,” Van Bossuyt said. “Energy is the lifeblood of the modern national defense establishment. Without energy, our radars do not operate, our ships cannot sail, our aircraft cannot fly, and we are unable to support mission assurance.”

Among the student research solutions highlighted during the showcase was an award-winning exploration into microgrid cybersecurity by U.S. Navy Lt. Destiny Lortz, graduating this Thursday, June 18, with a master’s in cyber systems and operations. Her research on detecting false data injection attacks using integrated vibration and current analysis will receive the 2026 Spring Quarter’s Fleet Cyber Command Award for Academic Achievement in Cyber Operations.

“Improving the ability to detect subtle cyber-physical attacks helps preserve operational continuity, reduce vulnerability and strengthen overall energy security for military systems,” Lortz added.

Additional projects highlighted during the showcase include the development of a zonal nanogrid testbed; a plan to reduce the reliance on distant fuel supply chains for a remote U.S. Army facility in the Indo-Pacific, and a validated microgrid digital twin for AI integration studies.

• Check out the full story to learn more about NPS student efforts to answer the U.S. Department of War’s call to advance defense energy resilience: https://nps.edu/-/powering-the-mission-nps-students-advance-energy-resilience-security-through-microgrid-research
• About the NPS Department of Systems Engineering: https://nps.edu/web/seet
• More about microgrid research at NPS: https://microgrid.nps.edu/

U.S. Navy | U.S. Marine Corps | U.S. Department of War

Direct engagement with senior community leaders is a critical component of the NPS student experience. U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Dennis Collins, Reserve Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Installations and Logistics, shared his perspective with Supply Corps officers attending the institution during a visit to campus, June 3.

“The Supply Corps is moving toward producing officers who can apply knowledge and think through problems rather than simply recite publications,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Mitchell Ernsten, an NPS operations research student. “That resonated with me because it reflects much of what we do at NPS — learning how to analyze problems, evaluate options, and make informed decisions in complex situations.”

During his visit, students took the opportunity to introduce Collins to their fleet-inspired thesis research, and get feedback from a senior service leader.

“I had the opportunity to briefly describe my thesis research on malware detection and network analysis,” said Ernsten. “Rear Adm. Collins was supportive of the work, and the interaction reinforced the importance of applying analytical and technical skills to operational problems facing the Navy.”

Collins visit was initiated by NPS operations research professor Geraldo Ferrer, NPS chair of Navy Supply Chain Management.

“Rear Adm. Collins came to NPS to talk about the future of Navy logistics education, which greatly affects the Supply Corps,” said Ferrer. “During the brief, many students had the opportunity to participate by presenting their thesis plans and getting feedback … and were pleased with the exchange and his thoughtful comments.”

While on campus, Collins also explored an NPS-developed wargame examining how meteorological conditions can constrain logistics decisions, in addition to an introduction to NPS’ Advanced Manufacturing lab.

• More about operations research at NPS: https://nps.edu/web/or
• About the NPS Department of Acquisition, Finance and Manpower: https://nps.edu/web/dafm

U.S. Navy | U.S. Marine Corps | Navy Reserve | Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP)

LIVE NEXT WEEK: Artemis II Mission Pilot and NPS alumnus U.S. Navy Capt. Victor Glover returns to campus, June 16, for a special Secretary of the Navy Guest Lecture to talk about the crew’s history-making, 10-day flight around the Moon!

• When: Tuesday, June 16 at 3:00 p.m., “From Monterey to the Moon” with Capt. Victor Glover
• Where: NPS King Hall auditorium

While on base access to King Hall is limited to NPS students, faculty, staff and their families and guests, Glover’s presentation will also be available live on the NPS streaming channel, see link below.

The Spring Quarter graduation ceremony is also next week, making this event with one of NPS’ most notable alumni especially meaningful. Visiting family and escorted guests are encouraged to come in person.

From naval aviator to NASA Astronaut, Glover's journey demonstrates how advanced education, determination, and a passion for discovery combine to shape the future of our Navy, nation and human exploration beyond Earth.

• Watch Capt. Glover's presentation here, June 16: https://www.nps.edu/WatchLive
• Read more NPS news about the Artemis II team’s historic flight: https://nps.edu/-/naval-postgraduate-school-alumni-lead-nasa-s-artemis-ii-moon-mission
• Space Systems Academic Group at NPS: https://nps.edu/web/ssag

U.S. Navy | U.S. Marine Corps | NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration | United States Naval Academy | U.S. Naval War College | Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao | The Office of the Chief of Naval Operations | Naval Postgraduate School Foundation & Alumni Association

Recent NPS graduate Brazilian Navy Lt. Fernando De Oliveira’s patent-pending thesis research represents a critical breakthrough in 5G network security that could provide operators with a novel scalable, mission-tuned approach for secure tactical communications.

“Lt. De Oliveira has developed a new technical architecture for secure and granular user authentication in 5G Standalone (SA) and emerging 6G-oriented mobile networks,” said NPS Department of Computer Science chair Gurminder Singh. “This architecture has been successfully implemented in the NPS 5G test environment and has demonstrated potential applicability in defense communications, tactical networks, secure corporate environments, and multinational mission scenarios.”

While commercial 5G networks allow devices to connect seamlessly once authenticated, De Oliveira identified a key vulnerability — the lack of continuous, user-specific verification. In high-stakes environments such as military operations, simply trusting a device is not enough. His thesis, titled “Slice-Aware User Authorization and Enforcement Manager for Fifth-Generation Networks: Testbed and Evaluation,” addresses this challenge.

“When you connect your phone to a 5G network today, you don’t need additional authentication beyond the device itself,” he explained. “But in a defense scenario, how do you know it’s really the authorized user? What happens if a device is lost or stolen?”

By minimizing dependencies on standard 5G core functions, De Oliveira’s discovery allows enterprises to rapidly deploy customized security controls — flexibility that makes the system particularly valuable in dynamic operational environments, where security requirements can vary significantly across mission sets and users.

For his discovery, De Oliveira was awarded the 2026 Winter Quarter’s Outstanding Academic Achievement Award for an International Student.

“Lt. De Oliveira’s academic achievement is a testament to the high caliber of education NPS provides to our partners and allies,” said Dr. Mowafiq W. Alanazi, deputy director of NPS’ International Graduate Programs. “What sets NPS apart from other educational institutions is its ability to combine advanced scientific instruction with real-world operational application — preparing graduates to tackle complex challenges and develop practical solutions.”

• Read the full story: https://nps.edu/-/brazilian-navy-officer-s-award-winning-nps-research-advances-5g-network-security
• More about computer science at NPS: https://nps.edu/web/cs
• International graduate programs at NPS: https://nps.edu/web/igpo

U.S. Navy | U.S. Marine Corps | The Office of the Chief of Naval Operations | Marinha do Brasil | U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)