Quick Links
Fleet Seminar Program

OVERVIEW

The Fleet Seminar Program is offered on an academic year basis, commencing in late August and ending in early May. Three courses , National Security Decision Making (NSDM), Strategy and War (S&W), and Joint Maritime Operations (JMO) are offered although not all courses are offered at all locations every year. Tentative seminars (numbers of seminars in parentheses) and locations for academic year 2008 – 2009 are:

  • California, Port Hueneme - NSDM (1)
  • California, San Diego – NSDM (1), S&W (1), and JMO (1)
  • Washington, D.C. – NSDM (6), S&W (6), and JMO (6)
  • Florida, Jacksonville – NSDM (1)
  • Florida, Mayport – S&W (1), JMO (1)
  • Florida, Pensacola – JMO (1)
  • Hawaii, Pearl Harbor – NSDM (1), S&W (1), JMO (1)
  • Illinois, Great Lakes – NSDM (1), JMO (1)
  • Louisiana, New Orleans – JMO (1)
  • Maryland, Annapolis – NSDM (1), S&W (1), JMO (1)
  • Maryland, Fort Meade – NSDM (1), S&W (1), JMO (1)
  • Maryland, Patuxent River – NSDM (1)
  • Rhode Island, Newport – NSDM (1), S&W (1), JMO (1)
  • Tennessee, Millington – S&W (1)
  • Texas, Fort Worth – S&W (1), JMO (1)
  • Virginia, Dahlgren – JMO (1)
  • Virginia, Norfolk – NSDM (2), S&W (2), JMO (2)
  • Washington, Bangor – NSDM (1)
  • Washington, Everett – S&W (1)
  • Washington, Whidbey Island – JMO (1)

Applicants are enrolled in seminars consisting of no more than 22 students. Each academic year is a separate enrollment event and continuing students must apply for enrollment in subsequent courses. Enrollment is open to eligible active and reserve officers in the Sea Services (Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard) in the grade of O-3 and above. Active and reserve officers in other military services must be in the grade of O-4 and above to be eligible. Civilians in the grade of GS-11 and equivalent or above are also eligible and through CNO agreement, selected staff members in the federal Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary branches are also eligible. All applicants must possess a Bachelors Degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Seminars meet one evening per week (34 times per year) for 3 hours per night from nominally the last week in August through the second week in May, under the direction of a Naval War College adjunct faculty member. From time to time, formal presentations are delivered by resident faculty members from Newport and by visiting professors from colleges and universities around the world. The seminars are conducted at the graduate level and require appropriate initiative, research, writing, and oral commentary on the part of each student. The College recognizes that duty requirements occasionally may necessitate late submission of required work. Students must coordinate/arrange for such delays with the faculty member in advance. Students are advised that all delinquencies must be resolved prior to the end of the academic year. Students unable to meet that deadline must request an extension, in advance, from the Director, College of Distance Education. All work not completed before classes end must be submitted to the College of Distance Education for processing in Newport. In no event will an extension be granted beyond 1 August. No student with an "Incomplete" grade will be allowed to reenroll until the "Incomplete" is eliminated. A student unable to complete a course may receive credit for that work successfully completed. On a case basis, students may be enrolled in a subsequent academic year at the point at which they were previously withdrawn from a course as long as they maintain eligibility.

All graduates are invited to attend the Current Strategy Forum (CSF) held annually in Newport, Rhode Island during the week of graduation.

Graduate Hour Credits

The Naval War College Fleet Seminar Program is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and awards graduate credits, indicated below, for successful completion of the following fleet seminar courses (for enrollees subsequent to 1 March 1984):

Strategy and Policy 7 Graduate Semester Hours
National Security Decision Making 7 Graduate Semester Hours
Joint Maritime Operations 7 Graduate Semester Hours

Materials

The College provides all study materials to the student on a loan basis. The administration and handling of materials varies depending on the program.

Students will receive information on procedures for drawing materials when they are notified of their enrollment. Details will be provided by local area Liaison Officers. Unless advised otherwise, students who transfer during the year and intend to continue their enrollment for that academic year in a fleet seminar at their new duty station will retain their material and will turn in required course material at the end of the academic year in their new location

Students will be billed for replacement of unreturned materials and no student will receive credit for a course until all materials have been returned. Many students wish to purchase their course materials, however; regulations preclude this. Most bookstores, including the Naval War College Bookstore, can obtain the textbooks for you. Requests should be addressed to:

Naval War College Bookstore
686 Cushing Road
Newport, RI 02841-1207
Telephone: (401) 841-1281

Enrollment Procedures

Review the seminar program details to ensure you are eligible for the program. Enrollment for Academic Year 2008-09 is now closed.

Questions:
Comm: (401) 841-6519 DSN: 948-6519 or 7490
FAX: (401) 841-2457
EMAIL: fsp@nwc.navy.mil

Note: Enrollment and subsequent administrative forms request certain information from potential students to facilitate enrollment or other processing in connection with program administration. Students are expected to keep the College informed regarding changes in their eligibility status, current address, phone number(s), e-mail addressee(s), and parent command.

Course Withdrawals

Withdrawal may be either voluntary or involuntary.

  • Students are encouraged to withdraw voluntarily when the constraints of time and circumstance preclude course completion. Requests should be in writing to the Program Manager in Newport (e-mail is sufficient) briefly stating the reasons for requesting withdrawal. These reasons for withdrawal are helpful in the review of administrative procedures and course content. Such withdrawals are without prejudice.
  • Involuntary withdrawals are initiated by the Naval War College as a result of student failure to meet deadlines or academic standards, fulfill attendance obligations, or (on a case basis) maintain eligibility. Prompt return of books and compliance with course deadlines is essential to ensure adequate availability of course materials for other students.

Reenrollment

  • A student who voluntarily withdraws will be given consideration for reenrollment upon receipt of a written request.
  • In those cases of involuntary withdrawal, each request will be considered on its own merits. Reenrollment requests in this case must be by letter to the Director, College of Distance Education, U. S. Naval War College, including an explanation of circumstances involved.
  • In either case, credit may be given for satisfactorily completed prior work unless there has been a substantial revision in the interim, or an extensive delay since withdrawal.