The management system of National Defense University completely adopts the model of American local comprehensive universities, that is, the university is actually an educational management and coordination institution, and the specific teaching is organized and implemented by its affiliated colleges. The school has 1 principals, who are rotated by middle-level officers of various services. The principal's duty is to be responsible for the work of the whole school and to serve as an educational adviser to the Minister of National Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Since 1984, the headmaster has set up 1 office director, who is responsible for administrative and logistics guidance. Directly under the Personnel Administration and Logistics Department, Audit Department, University Planning and Teaching Planning Department, Library and Public Affairs Department.
The task of National Defense University is to carry out higher military education, train senior and middle-level commanding staff and federal government officials, and conduct comprehensive research on national security strategy. Affiliated institutions include: National Defense Military Academy, Armed Forces Industrial Academy, Armed Forces Staff College and National Defense Computer College. The main task of the National Defense University of the United States is to conduct professional military education and research on major issues of national security, train civil servants and officers selected by the military and government departments, and make them qualified personnel to implement national defense policies, perform command and staff duties, formulate national campaign plans, and manage national security resources.
West Point Military Academy mainly trains junior officers for the US military.