Adm. Bradley, U.S. Special Operations Command, receives U.S. Naval War College Distinguished Graduate Leadership Award

Adm. Frank M. Bradley, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, received the U.S. Naval War College’s (NWC) 2026 Distinguished Graduate Leadership Award (DLGA) at the war college’s Newport, Rhode Island, campus on March 31.

Bradley, a U.S. Navy SEAL, has commanded at all levels of special operations, including Joint Special Operations Command, Special Operations Command Central, and Naval Special Warfare Development Group.

He has multiple tours in command of joint task forces and was among the first to deploy into Afghanistan following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. 

An NWC College of Distance Education graduate in 2005, Bradley also earned a Master of Science degree in physics from the Naval Postgraduate School and received a 2006 provisional patent for his research into quantum scattering phenomena in next-generation semiconductor devices.

"Adm. Bradley is one of the most decorated warfighters across the U.S. military,” said NWC President Rear Adm. Darryl Walker. “Throughout his career, he's displayed unbreakable, lethal commitment to excellence and mission accomplishment. He truly understands the importance of continuing to learn, to evolve and to innovate – and how that translates to success on the front lines, and success for those who support the warfighters.

“We at the U.S. Naval War College are proud to be a part of his career and a place where he's been able to pursue that excellence,” he continued. “He is a perfect recipient of our highest award for alumni, the Distinguished Graduate Leadership Award."

The DGLA highlights the accomplishments of alumni who have used their NWC education to achieve prominent senior leadership positions in the field of national security. Recipients are selected based on their senior leadership roles, inspiring career achievements, and commitment to professional military education.

Established in 1996 by the Naval War College Foundation, Bradley is the 31st recipient and 16th U.S. Navy recipient of this prestigious award.

Previous awardees include Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Randy George in 2024; U.S. Navy Adm. Scott Swift, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, in 2018; U.S. Air Force Gen. Lori Robinson, commander of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command, in 2017; U.S. Marine Corps Gen. James Cartwright, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in 2008; and Adm. William Fallon, commander of U.S. Central Command, in 2001.

The first recipient of the award was U.S. Army Gen. John M. Shalikashvili, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 30 years ago.

Established in 1884, NWC is the oldest institution of its kind in the world. The college delivers excellence in education, research, and outreach, informing today’s decision makers, educating tomorrow’s leaders, and engaging partners and allies on all matters of naval power in order to preserve the peace, respond in crisis, and win decisively in war.