U.S. Naval War College with Newport Pell Bridge in the background.

About U.S. Naval War College

As the U.S. Navy’s “Home of Thought,” we educate and develop competent and ethical leaders, support combat readiness, strengthen global maritime partnerships, help define the future of our service branch, and contribute original strategy and legal research to the national and international community.

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Students of U.S. Naval War College’s 2019 graduating class participate in a commencement ceremony on Dewey Field in Newport, R.I., June 14.
Students of U.S. Naval War College’s (NWC) 2019 graduating class participate in a commencement ceremony on Dewey Field in Newport, R.I., June 14. The graduating class of 2019 included 318 resident students of the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, federal civilian employees and 110 international students. Additionally, 1,080 students completed coursework through NWC’s College of Distance Education programs. (U.S. Navy photo by Jaima Fogg/Released)
U.S. Naval War College Academics

Academics

U.S. Naval War College (NWC) has trained more than 24,000 U.S. and international military officers and hundreds of federal civilian executives across its colleges and various academic centers. Whether our students are enrolled in a 10-month resident program or a short-term leadership course, they’ll benefit from NWC’s world-class faculty, rigorous curriculum, practical field study and research opportunities, and interactive wargaming experiences.

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McCarty Little Hall at the U.S. Naval War College
Research & Wargaming at U.S. Naval War College

Research and Wargaming

Simulating complex war situations—from sea to space to cyber—builds analytical, strategy and decision-making skills. Our Wargaming Department, established in 1887 and now part of the Center for Naval Warfare Studies, not only enriches our curriculum, but helps shape defense plans and policies for various commands and agencies. The center also houses a number of specialized units dedicated to advanced research about war and the prevention of war.

Learn about Research & Wargaming
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jeremy Hill carries the U.S. Marine Corps colors during the exercise Tiger TRIUMPH opening ceremony aboard the Indian navy amphibious transport dock ship INS Jalashwa (L41) in Visakhapatnam, India, Nov. 14, 2019.
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jeremy Hill carries the U.S. Marine Corps colors during the exercise Tiger TRIUMPH opening ceremony aboard the Indian navy amphibious transport dock ship INS Jalashwa (L41) in Visakhapatnam, India, Nov. 14, 2019. Tiger TRIUMPH gives U.S. and Indian forces the opportunity to exchange knowledge and learn from each other as well as establish personal and professional relationships. Hill, a native of Mishawaka, Indiana, is a squad leader with 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Armando Elizalde/Released)
U.S. Naval War College Fundamentals

Fundamentals

U.S. Naval War College has something to offer for students, faculty, and visitors, whether that's world-class education, wargaming opportunities, or historical research. Learn more about us through our annual reports, and explore fast facts about the the campus and the curriculum.

News, Media, & Events

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U.S. Naval War College Graduation

Jun. 16, 2023
10:00 a.m.
U.S. Naval War College, 686 Cushing Road, Newport, RI 02841

Current Strategy Forum

Jun. 13-14, 2023
8:30 a.m.
Hybrid Event

Featured Faculty

Faculty Directory
Margaret M Polski photo

Margaret M. Polski

Associate Professor | Wargaming Department

Dr. Polski provides national security analysis and research for senior military leaders and their staff. She has over thirty years of experience helping organizations innovate to address threats, emerging opportunities, and operating performance. Dr. Polski's research is focused on strategic behavior in complex adaptive systems, and includes work in experimental design, game theory, cognitive neuroscience, and computational social science. Her current research interests are related to understanding the behavior of heterogeneous systems.

Publications by this Professor
Timothy St. Laurent Profile Image

Timothy St. Laurent

Associate Professor | College of Maritime Operational Warfare

2011 – Pres Naval War College, Newport, RI
Associate Professor, College of Maritime Operational Warfare
2006 – 2011 Naval War College, Newport, RI
White Cell, Maritime Staff Operators Course
Project Manager, Maritime Staff Operators Course
2004 - 2006 Navy Warfare Development Command, Newport, RI
Remedial Action Process Manager, Navy Lessons Learned
Senior Data Analyst, Navy Lessons Learned
2005 – 2006 New England Institute of Technology, Warwick, RI
Adjunct Professor, Information Systems
2002 – 2004 Navy Reserve Readiness Command Northeast, Newport, RI
Director of Information Systems (N6)

Publications by this Professor

Featured Publications

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Taiwan: One China Principle Or Just A Policy?

Brent Stricker 19fortyfive

US-China Rivalry Exacerbates US Corporate Risk

Derek S. Reveron, John E. Savage Foreign Policy Research Institute

Escalate To De-Escalate: Tactical Nuclear Weapons In Ukraine-Russia War

Brent Stricker 19fortyfive

More Information on the College

    Our Mission

    The mission of the U.S. Naval War College is to educate and develop future leaders by growing strategic perspectives, critical thinking, and cultural awareness.

    Defining our Goal

    Upcoming Events

    The U.S. Naval War College events showcase the expansive depth and reach of our programs and faculty, while enhancing our relevance to the Navy and to national security.

    See Upcoming Events

    About Wargaming

    Simulating war situations—from sea to space to cyber—builds analytical and decision-making skills that help shape defense plans and policies for various commands.

    More on Wargaming