On Feb. 20, the Department of War selected Paul Craft, a retired Ohio National Guard colonel and former state superintendent of public instruction, to become the next civilian director of the Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA). According to the announcement, Craft will begin his tenure on March 9, succeeding Dr. Beth Schiavino-Narvaez.

Dr. Beth Schiavino-Narvaez's departure as DoWEA director was announced on Feb. 20, but the Pentagon did not provide a public reason for her exit. The Pentagon says that Craft's appointment as DoWEA director is intended to support a renewed focus on stringent academic standards, classical learning approaches, and increased parental transparency within the school system. Inside an official release, those words read like familiar educational language.

Inside a military household, they land differently, raising questions that surface around kitchen tables and in whispered conversations after bedtime.

“Will teachers change?”

“Will support services stay consistent?”

“Will classrooms remain stable for children who regularly experience transitions?”

Why DoWEA Schools Carry Unique Weight In Military Life

DoWEA operates 161 schools across the United States, Europe, and the Pacific, serving more than 67,000 students, primarily children of active-duty service members and Department of Defense civilians. These schools often represent one of the few predictable systems in an otherwise mobile life for military families. Academically, they have also been particularly strong in educational standards and performance.

Federal testing data has repeatedly shown that DoWEA students score above the national public-school averages in reading and math on the Nation’s Report Card. That track record of consistency contributes to why the leadership change drew immediate attention.

The Overseas Federation of Teachers, which represents OCONUS DoWEA educators, said it was surprised by both the timing of the transition and the lack of explanation. For military families, surprises like these are significant. Change is expected. Lack of warning is not.

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What Military Families Will Watch as New Leadership Begins

Craft brings a background that blends military service with educational leadership. According to the Pentagon, he served more than three decades in the Ohio National Guard and held senior roles overseeing both educator licensure and school administration.

The Pentagon also pointed out Craft’s focus on teacher quality, academic discipline, and accountability. But military families tend to measure leadership differently. Not by résumés, but by what changes, or what doesn’t change, inside a classroom. The abrupt replacement left unanswered questions on the minds of many military moms and dads:

“Will experienced teachers stay?”

“Will special education support remain stable during PCS moves?”

“Will communication remain clear and timely?”

In the military lifestyle, where children may attend multiple schools before graduation, continuity is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. Naturally, this is a parent’s first concern when sudden news of a change in leadership pops up.

Why School Stability Matters More In Military Communities

Nationally, public schools are still working to recover academically after disruptions from the COVID pandemic. In that regard, DoWEA’s consistent performance has made it something rare, a system many military parents trust.

Education is one of the few anchors military children can rely on. Homes change, friends move away, and parents deploy. A classroom can provide continuity across locations and duty stations.

Whispers around the kitchen table remain long after the headlines fade, with kids asking their parents, “Will my school still be the same next year?”

Military families can’t always answer that with certainty, but they can tell whether a child feels secure, safe, and seen when they walk into their classroom. That is how success across DoWEA will continue to be measured by military moms and dads everywhere.

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