The main purpose of the study was to examine the practices and challenges of the academic leadership of Ethiopian Defense University. The study employed descriptive survey design and quantitative and qualitative research methods. To collect relevant data, questionnaire, and interview and document analysis were used. Data were gathered from 25% (120) of sample size to represent 486 total population sizes. Questionnaire was used to collect data from samples of 94 Instructors and 18 department heads. Interview was conducted with 2 college supervisors, 2 deans and 2 commandants. In order to analysis the collected data sum, percentage, mean scores, and standard deviations, frequency and ranking order were used. The findings of the study indicated that in Defense University, leader selection and assignment to position was not in competitive, launching leadership and management development programs was not enough, rigid leadership approach was highly applied and the University relationship with higher education office, was not adequate. Based on the findings it was concluded that: the Defense University was limited on following competitive procedure of leader selection and assignment, And the University was not working strongly on preparing educational leadership and management development programs and exercising flexible leadership style. Finally, it was recommended that: Defense University has to work hard in improving the procedure of academic leader selection and assignment, creating awareness on educational leadership, adapting flexible leadership approach and the University has to strengthen its relationship with higher education office.