On June 24, 2025, the Navy Supply Corps School (NSCS) celebrated the graduation of the latest class from the International Logistics Executive Advanced Development (ILEAD) program - a milestone that represents much more than academic achievement. For eight international officers, from the Philippines and Greece to Kuwait and Jordan, this experience was a journey of strategic insight, operational growth and enduring friendship.
Over the course of seven weeks, three of which are on the road, these officers immersed themselves in a demanding curriculum designed to deepen their understanding of U.S. operational logistics and the structure of the U.S. Navy. Through site visits to Navy logistics centers, guided tours aboard naval vessels and in-depth discussions with leaders across Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), they developed a stronger grasp of how the U.S. sustains fleet readiness on a global scale. They also visited Washington, D.C., and New York City and toured the Pentagon, the U.S. Capitol, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the 9/11 Memorial, which gave the students a deeper look into U.S. government, history and culture.
But ILEAD is not solely about logistics and cultural education; it is about building bridges. The program provides a unique forum for officers from allied and partner nations to exchange ideas, share their own military and logistics perspectives and form professional relationships that endure long after the final brief is given.
These partnerships have never been more critical. In today’s complex and interconnected security environment, no nation operates alone. Modern threats span regions and domains - from contested sea lanes and cyber vulnerabilities to natural disasters and humanitarian crises.
Meeting these challenges requires seamless coordination, mutual trust, and shared logistical capabilities. Programs like ILEAD enable that collaboration by cultivating a network of logistics leaders who understand one another, speak a common operational language and have trained side-by-side.
ILEAD graduates return home equipped not only with the technical knowledge gained in the classroom but with a deeper appreciation for coalition cooperation and the role that logistics plays in strategic deterrence and mission success. As our naval forces increasingly operate in multilateral contexts, these alumni serve as vital links between the Navy and their own military supply chains.
By investing in education and engagement across borders, NAVSUP and NCSC affirm a simple truth: together, we are more capable, more resilient and better prepared for the challenges ahead.
Bravo Zulu to the ILEAD graduates - our newest partners in strengthening global maritime logistics.
