The Darden School has an extensive history in developing the business acumen and leadership skills of United States military personnel and officers. For 33 consecutive years, Darden Executive Education has conducted the four-week Navy Business Resources Management Program for mid-grade U.S. Navy officers (O-3/4) and their DoD civilian counterparts (GS-12/13). Having earned a reputation as the “best mid-grade officer program available providing MBA level skills,” Darden was recently awarded another five-year contract to conduct the Program through 2012.

In early 2007, Darden was named an academic partner of the Navy Executive Learning Office and was chosen to conduct the two-week Navy Corporate Business Course (NCBC) for high-potential Captains (O-6) and Commanders (O-5) and their civilian counterparts (GS-14/15), and the Navy Executive Development Course (NEDC) for high-potential O-6 officers and Senior Executive Service (SES) civilians. These programs provide business skills in strategy, finance, information technology and performance management. Darden delivered one course in 2007, two in 2008, three in 2009 and one in 2010.

Since 1999, Darden has conducted the two-week Commercial Business Environment Program and the one-week Advanced Acquisition Excellence Program for GS-12/13 acquisition and contracting professionals in the U.S. Army. Darden has also conducted a one-week sustainability program for senior officers and civilians.

Extending the relationship beyond customized programs, each year half a dozen U.S. Navy Captains attend The Executive Program, Darden’s four-week flagship open-enrollment program for senior-level executives.

Since 2000, Darden faculty have conducted the annual one-week Secretary of Defense Corporate Fellows Program — Back to Business: An Introduction to the Concepts and Issues Facing Contemporary American Corporations. This program is for senior military officers (O-5/6) on a general/Flag officer career track.

Darden faculty also continue to partner with the Brookings Institution to do the Defense Leaders Advanced Management Program (DLAMP) — Executive Leadership in a Changing Environment for GS-14/15 leaders on a Senior Executive Service (SES) track.

In early 2009, Darden won the contract for the Air Force Enterprise Leadership Seminar, a six-day course for general and O-6 officers, SES and G5-15/PBM civilians and Chief Master Sergeants. Darden conducted five of these courses in 2009; six were held in 2010.