NATIONAL DEFENCE ACADEMY OF LATVIA 

Selection, Admission, and Training Phase for Cadet Candidates

July 6 – August 30, NDAL
During the selection, admission, and preparation phase for cadet candidates, candidates’ physical fitness, health, psychological resilience, discipline, and motivation are assessed, along with other relevant formalities.

Frequently Asked Questions.

Opportunities for High School Students

The National Defence Academy of Latvia offers several events for high school students to explore National Defence Academy study programs, environment, and infrastructure, which can help them choose their future career path.

Ceremony to Mark the Change of Vice Rector at the National Defence Academy

June 11, 3:00–4:00 p.m., NDAL Parade Ground
All NDAL members are invited to attend the Vice Rector Change Ceremony and the following reception in the NDAL Plenary Hall.

NDAL Summer Graduation Ceremony

June 19 at 1:30 p.m., NDAL Klinson Hall
On June 2–3, the National Defence Academy (NDAL) proudly hosted the defence of bachelor’s theses for 5th-year cadets in the first-cycle professional higher education bachelor’s programs “Naval Forces Military Leadership” and “Air Forces Military Leadership”, as well as the defence of diploma theses for cadets in the professional study program “Command Staff Officer”. Join us on June 19 for an inspiring NDAL summer graduation ceremony, where the 25/26th class of the “Command Staff Officer” program, the 22/26th class of the “Naval Forces Military Leadership” and “Air Forces Military Leadership” program will celebrate a milestone achievement as cadets are awarded their first officer rank of “Second Lieutenant”.

Graduation Ceremony for the Land Tactical Operations Course

July 10, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., NDAL Klinson Hall
The Land Tactical Operations Course has resumed after a one-year hiatus and is being successfully conducted. Lecturers include officers from the National Armed Forces of Latvia as well as NATO officers from Europe. The course is conducted in English, and participants include officers and instructors from NATO member countries.

Sports Games organized by the NDAL Student Council, the Student Council of the BA School of Business and Finance of the University of Latvia, the RISEBA Student Council, and the Student Council of the EKA University of Applied Sciences

June 13–14, “Vecupe” Recreation Complex, Ķegums Municipality
Are you craving active recreation, unforgettable experiences, competitions, and a fantastic atmosphere? Gather a team (five to six people) that includes at least one student, two women, and two men, and sign up now! (Spaces are limited) Be sure to bring water, snacks, weather-appropriate clothing, and most importantly — a good mood.

Fill out the application form (only in Latvian).
More information (only in Latvian). 

Forum "CUBE" Seminar

August 13–16, Lode Manor, Cēsis Municipality
On July 25–26, a "CUBE" Meet and Greet event will take place in Riga, featuring cadets from the National Defence Academy (NDAL) who are members of the NDAL Student Council. "CUBE" is a place where cadets meet and collaborate with student councils from other higher education institutions. For participants, it is a unique opportunity to build valuable contacts and learn about various higher education institutions, while for organizers, it is a chance to test and develop their team’s skills by collaborating with representatives from other universities. 

Presentation of the book “Democratic Resilience in the Baltics, Vol. 2.”

June 16, 3:00–4:30 p.m., EU House, 28 Aspazijas Boulevard, 1st floor, Riga
The EU House will host a presentation of the book “Democratic Resilience in the Baltics, Vol. 2,” published as part of a joint cooperation project between the military academies of the three Baltic states. Authors of several chapters from Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia will participate in the event. Researchers from the National Defence Academy of Latvia Centre for Security Research and Innovation co-authored “Democratic Resilience in the Baltics, Vol. 2” (Springer Publishing House). Senior researchers Ieva Bērziņa and Jānis Bērziņš, as well as researcher Gita Leitlande, contributed chapters examining the resilience of the Baltic states. The book gathers perspectives from Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia on contemporary threats to democracy and solutions, as part of the Baltic Security and Defence series. The Open Access book is available for free download.

Download the e-book.

Organization of Tactical Shooting Classes

May 25 – June 19, National Defence Academy and Ādaži Training Range
Third-year cadets from the Land Forces Military Leadership programme will participate in the Organization of Tactical Shooting Classes. During the course, cadets will master tactical shooting skills by performing and leading combat exercises. The course will conclude with a final exercise, after which cadets will receive Tactical Shooting Classes certificates. 

Combat Skills Maintenance “Summer Field Camp” (“Burning Sand 2026”)

June 25 – July 25, Ādaži Training Area
“Summer Field Camp” is one of the courses in the National Defence Academy (NDAL) study program for NDAL cadets within the Tactics module, which is divided into four levels and serves as the basis for NDAL cadet training and collaboration. The objective of the training is to provide cadets with the necessary knowledge, improve their combat skills and tactical abilities in field conditions, with an emphasis on tactical and combat conditions that are as realistic as possible, to strengthen cooperation, and to maintain the field combat skills necessary for a professional soldier to perform their basic duties.

Heavy Bombardier Operator Course

June 22-26, Ukraine 
The course is designed to provide participants with an understanding of the capabilities, limitations, and operational considerations of heavy unmanned aerial vehicle systems in today’s operational environment. Four NDAL representatives, including instructors and trainers, will participate in the course.

Historic NATO Naval Cooperation Flag – Gift to the National Defence Academy

The flag was gifted to the National Defence Academy in 2023 during the visit of U.S. cadets. It had belonged to U.S. Navy Captain (Ret.) Stephen H. Edwards, an officer of NATO’s Standing Naval Force Atlantic (STANAVFORLANT) and commander of the ship “USS Furer DEG-6”.
The flag was presented after joint allied service as a symbol of friendship and was kept for more than 50 years in the family archive. It symbolizes NATO unity and allied cooperation.

New books

The library has received a donation of books from the United States (43 boxes of books). The library's collection will be gradually supplemented with donated books covering topics such as the Cold War era and the history of espionage. The publications examine the activities of Western and Soviet intelligence services (including the Central Intelligence Agency and the Committee for State Security), their historical development, and specific operations. Some books are dedicated to the biographies of notable spies, the role of women in intelligence, special units and covert operations, as well as the phenomenon of ninjutsu. The collection is supplemented by works of fiction about war and espionage, as well as publications on the techniques and equipment used in espionage. The books are from the personal library of a Latvian émigré, which was built up over many years.