Research and Analysis at SORD
SORD produces forward-thinking and timely research, analysis, and gaming that anticipates future operational and strategic challenges. We develop and assess strategic and operational concepts to overcome challenges by providing analytical products that inform the Navy’s leadership and help shape key decisions.
Regional Areas of Focus
Our regional areas of focus include Eurasia, the Indo-Asia-Pacific, and the greater Middle East. Faculty members not only possess in-country experience and historical knowledge, but also facility in critical languages such as Russian, German, French, Chinese, and Japanese.
Research Centers
We are home to several research centers and institutions that dive deeper into issues of interest to the Navy:
Advanced Research Programs
Faculty-led special advanced research programs also call our department home. These groups offer domestic students a chance to participate in gaming, research, and other real-world scenarios pertaining to strategy, planning, and operations.
Gravely Group
Click to Open Please Note: This program is currently on hold for Academic Year 2020-2021. Please visit the Gravely Group program page for more information.
Named for Vice Admiral Samuel L. Gravely Jr., this year-long graduate research program dedicated to innovative, emerging naval and joint warfare technologies and concepts.
Explore Program Halsey Alfa
Click to Open This faculty-student program focuses on the tactical and operational level of war at the classified level. Participants use operations analysis and free-play wargaming to examine high-intensity conventional warfare scenarios.
Explore Program Halsey Bravo
Click to Open This group examines potential military challenges within the Middle East. This faculty-student collaborative group uses iterative, ongoing wargaming and operational analysis as its primary methodology.
Explore Program Holloway
Click to Open In this part-time program students will examine Russian and U.S. weapons systems, doctrines, and warfighting capabilities in all domains. They will focus on adversary military capabilities, maritime and naval doctrine, and strategy.
Explore Program Mahan Scholars
Click to Open Please Note: This program is currently on hold for Academic Year 2020-2021. Please visit the Mahan Scholars Group program page for more information.
This program focuses mainly on deterrence at the strategic level. Participants utilize critical thinking, research skills, and analytical writing in order to apply these deterrence concepts to a variety of realms, domains, and tools.
Explore Program Strategic & Operational Research Department Faculty
Our experienced and renowned faculty have years of earned expertise across a wide range of naval and educational topics. To learn more, please use the link below to access the online directory.
Visit Faculty