College Leadership & Board of Advisors

The U.S. Naval War College (NWC) is an educational institution within the Department of the Navy. The President of the college is accountable directly to the Chief of Naval Operations, who establishes the college's mission, provides general guidelines and appropriated funds for its operation, and selects the president of NWC.

President

Shoshana S. Chatfield

Rear Adm., U.S. Navy

Rear Adm. Shoshana Chatfield is the President of the U.S. Naval War College and a career naval helicopter pilot. A native of Garden Grove, California, she graduated from Boston University in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts in international relations and French language and literature. She received her commission through Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) in 1988 and earned her wings of gold in 1989. Chatfield was awarded the Navy’s Political/Military (Pol-Mil) Scholarship and attended the Kennedy School of Government, receiving a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University in 1997. In 2009, the University of San Diego conferred upon her a doctorate of education.

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Vice President/Chief of Staff

Joseph C. Girard

Capt., U.S. Navy

Capt. Girard is Vice President and Chief of Staff for U.S. Naval War College. He has more than 3,000 flight hours in the F/A-18 aircraft. His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (with Combat “V” distinction), seven Strike-Flight Air Medals, four Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and various unit and campaign decorations.

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Acting Provost

James E. Hickey

Dr. Hickey is a 1980 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. He earned graduate degrees from Troy University and King's College, London and holds a Ph.D. from Salve Regina University. A career Naval Flight Officer, prior to joining the S&P faculty in 2000 he taught for three years at the UK’s Joint Services Command and Staff College. He joined the College of Distance Education in 2005 to help launch the Navy Knowledge Online-based series of Professional Military Education courses for junior officers and the enlisted force. From 2007 until 2010 he served as the non-resident Graduate Degree Program Manager then served as the Director of CDE. He assumed his current duties in July 2015.

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Command Master Chief

Keith A. Webb

Master Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy

Master Chief Webb is the Command Master Chief (CMC) for U.S. Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. His previous CMC tours was at Training Support Center Hampton Roads, USS WASP (LHD 1), USS OAK HILL (LSD 51) and the USS GARY (FFG 51). He enlisted in the Navy in Feb 1990 and has earned the Afloat and Master Training Specialist qualifications and a Bachelor’s Degree. His awards and decorations include a Meritorious Service Medal, six Navy Commendation Medals, six Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various campaign, service and unit awards.

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