“To foster friendship, knowledge, and cooperation among friendly and allied navies from round the globe.”
Admiral Arleigh Burke, USN (CNO 1955–1961)
Since its inception in 1972, over 1800 naval officers representing 125 countries have graduated from the Naval Staff College. Bringing together a group of distinguished international officers from diverse cultures and ideologies who share maritime traditions, experiences, and challenges invariably leads to a unique and long lasting camaraderie among students, staff, and faculty. The knowledge gained in the classroom at the Naval Staff College, when combined with the professional development experiences that are offered, produces the finest graduate-level education for mid-grade officers in the world.
Today, Naval Staff College graduates continue to distinguish themselves in positions at the highest levels of their services. To date more than 313 graduates have attained the rank of flag officer and 108 have served as chief of service, with 20 currently serving in the latter capacity.
The Naval Staff College is vital in expanding understanding and cooperation among the world’s sea services. As coalition forces are increasingly summoned to respond to conflicts and promote peace around the world, the role of NSC gains in significance. The bonds of friendship that develop in Newport lead to trust and confidence that are vital to maritime security cooperation around the world.
NSC Mission
To assist specially selected international naval officers by developing their professional planning and managerial skills as they prepare for positions of higher responsibility within their own maritime services.
Courses
The NSC offers two courses:
- 11 month program—convenes in July, graduates in June.
- 6 month program—convenes in January, graduates in June.
Academics
Both courses are graduate-level curricula that emphasize naval planning and decision making, with particular attention to broadening the officers’ understanding of the importance and role of sea power in international affairs. Both courses consist of three major areas of study and an electives program. These include:
- Strategy and War—Acquaints the student with the fundamentals of national policy and military strategy.
- Joint Military Operations—Develops the ability to deploy, employ, and sustain military forces, synthesizing military strategy, joint and combined operations, and military planning and decision making.
- National Security Decision Making—Focuses on factors that influence the management of a defense organization, and developing the decision-making capabilities of the defense manager.
Professional Development
Numerous aspects of the Naval Staff College curriculum contribute to the professional development of NSC students:
-
Country Presentations
In order to broaden the knowledge of the entire class and to develop the student’s public speaking skills,each student must deliver an oral and visual presentation describing his or her country to a large audience of academics, students, and interested guests, and answer their questions.
Field Studies Program Visits provide NSC students with a balanced understanding of U.S. society, institutions, and culture through exposure to various topics, including the U.S. governmental structure, judicial system, economic system, political party system, press and other communication media, urban issues, agriculture, and education institutions.
Past trips have included:
Washington, D.C., with visits to the Capitol, Pentagon, State Department, White House, and other government agencies
New York City and Pennsylvania, with visits to the United Nations, NYSE, NYPD, National Constitution Center, Gettysburg Civil War Battlefield, and Amish country
Florida and Atlanta, with visits to the Kennedy Space Center and the Disney Institute, Carter Center, Martin Luther King Jr. Center, and Coca-Cola
Seattle and San Francisco, with visits to the Hoover Institute, Boeing, Starbucks, Microsoft, and national parks
Boston and the New England area, with visits to Harvard University, the New Hampshire Institute of Politics, and Bath Iron Works
American Sports Program
NSC students are introduced to various sports such as softball, American football, and basketball, in order to build teamwork, maintain fitness, and gain an understanding of popular American sports.
Various guest speakers are brought in to discuss topics that affect U.S. society, social and cultural issues, and issues of current interest.
Seminars held with local colleges provide a forum for interaction between NSC international students and U.S.college students.
The Naval Staff College (NSC) is one of four resident colleges of the U.S. Naval War College. Each year, specific countries are invited by the Chief of Naval Operations to enroll specially selected mid-grade officers in the convening NSC class.
Contact Information
Naval Staff College
686 Cushing Road
Newport RI 02841-1207
USA
nsc@usnwc.edu