Established in 1884 as an advanced course of professional study for naval officers, the U.S. Naval War College educates and develops leaders at specific stages in their careers from all services, U.S. government agencies and departments, and international navies.
The Fleet Seminar Program delivers Joint Professional Military Education Phase I to students who cannot attend the U.S. Naval War College in-residence. Courses offered at multiple Naval bases and stations across the United States. The academic year runs from the first week in September to the third week in May and each course requires one academic year to complete.
The Graduate Degree Program offered by College of Distance Education provides an opportunity for Fleet Seminar Program students and graduates who meet the program's eligibility requirements and are accepted into the program to earn a Master of Arts degree.
International Maritime Staff Operator Course provides international students the skills needed to support the planning and execution of maritime operations and integrate with existing operational planning teams. Designed to meet the learning needs of maritime officers, the course uses the U.S. Navy Maritime Operations Center as an organizing concept, and is informed by NATO, UN joint and U.S. Naval doctrine, with a special emphasis on the U.S. Navy Planning Process.
M.A. in Defense and Strategic Studies for resident students is divided into trimesters with core teachings and electives. Core courses are primarily taught in seminar format but include capstone exercises, wargame participation, and writing assignments.
Maritime Advanced Warfighting School is a resident program that is completed in conjunction with College of Naval Command and Staff curriculum. Objectives for this course are to develop strategic and operational leaders with the skills required to plan, execute, and assess combined, joint, and naval operations.
The Maritime Operational Planners Course (MOPC) is part of a series of Professional Military Education courses. MOPC develops planners capable of performing in dynamic, complex, and high-tempo maritime operational environments. This course produces officers that are capable of forming, organizing, and leading operational planning teams and are proficient in the detailed application of the Navy Planning Process.
The Maritime Staff Operators Course (MSOC) is part of a series of Professional Military Education courses. MSOC provides education in the application of the Maritime Operations Center concept, organization and processes; maritime operational level of warfare concepts, terminology and processes; and the Navy Planning Process in order to produce graduates capable of immediately supporting the commander’s decision cycle at the operational level of warfare in a dynamic and complex environment.
Naval Staff College Diploma (NSC) is a graduate-level curriculum that emphasizes naval planning and decision making, with particular attention to broadening the officers’ understanding of the importance and role of sea power in international affairs. It consists of three major areas of study, electives program, Field Studies Program, and country presentations. U.S. students may apply to be embedded in NSC.
The Naval Command and Staff online program educates students on the fundamentals of U.S. national security policy, military strategy, and the relationship between them. The program is organized into five educational blocks and all blocks must be completed to earn Joint Professional Military Education Phase I credit.
U.S. Naval War College (NWC) Monterey is a satellite office of NWC, College of Distance Education located on campus at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, California. In partnership with NPS, we provide qualified officers and select DoD civilians attending NPS the opportunity to earn an NWC diploma and Joint Professional Military Education Phase I credit.
The Executive Level Operational Level of Warfare Course (ELOC) is part of a series of Professional Military Education courses. ELOC focuses at the senior leadership level; the course will ensure the attendees are properly educated in, and understand the intricacies of, effectively participating in the decision-making process and managing a Maritime Operations Center and its resources.
M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies for resident students is divided into trimesters with core teachings and electives. Core courses are primarily taught in seminar format but include capstone exercises, wargame participation, and writing assignments.
Naval Command College Diploma is a residence graduate-level study program for senior international officers. The program consists of orientation, core curriculum, electives, Field Studies Program, and the cultural exchange. International Students are fully integrated with their U.S. counterparts in the College of Naval Warfare and must complete all class, seminar exercises, and writing assignments.
Combined Force Maritime Component Commander Flag Course educates students to focus on the operational level while working toward maritime security. The course serves as a forum to develop and deepen relationships based upon trust and confidence among stakeholders and nations in the framework of regional challenges. It also helps to evolve the Combined Maritime Command and Control concepts and mechanisms, while advancing the understanding of those security issues facing participating nations.
The Joint Force Maritime Component Commander Course is part of a series of Professional Military Education courses. This course is designed to prepare U.S. and International students for theater-level combat leadership and to give them a broad perspective of operational and strategic levels of war.
Nearly a century after Stephen B. Luce founded the Naval War College as “a place of original research on all questions relating to war and the statesmanship connected with war, or the prevention of war,” the Center for Naval Warfare Studies was established within the College for broadly based, advanced research on the naval contributions to national strategy. The Center has complemented the curriculum at the Naval War College by providing a place for dedicated research that fuels our mission to educate future leaders, helps to define the future Navy, and informs national policy.
Tom Nichols is a U.S. Naval War College University Professor, and an adjunct at the U.S. Air Force School of Strategic Force Studies and the Harvard Extension School. He is a specialist on Russian affairs, nuclear strategy, NATO issues, and a nationally-known commentator on U.S. politics and national security. He was a staff member in the United States Senate, a fellow at CSIS and the Harvard Kennedy School, and previously taught at Dartmouth, La Salle, and Georgetown. He is also a five-time undefeated 'Jeopardy!' champion, and was noted in the 'Jeopardy!' Hall of Fame after his 1994 appearances as one of the all-time best players of the game.
The U.S. Naval War College celebrated the graduation of its College of Distance Education students June 30 with a virtual ceremony.
Naval Station Newport is home to 50 military commands, educational institutions, and services. While your focus will be on academics, you’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy what the city of Newport and the naval station have to offer.
The U.S. Naval War College (NWC) distance education programs were designed to fit into the geographic and time constraints of students unable to participate in our traditional residential program. The College of Distance Education at NWC offers access to the same rigorous curriculum and world-class faculty.
U.S. Naval War College welcomes senior and midcareer officers from navies around the world. Each year, we bring together U.S. and international students from diverse cultures to share their maritime traditions, experiences, and challenges.
Maj. Gen. Glen D. VanHerck is the vice director of the Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. He assists the director of the Joint Staff and provides oversight to Joint Staff support activities, including administrative and action management, budget, support services and security. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri and was commissioned through the ROTC program. He has a diverse background that includes operational and training assignments in the F-15C, F-35A, B-2A and B-1B. He has served as an instructor pilot and flight examiner in the F-15C, B-2A and T-6A. Additionally, he served as a U.S. Air Force Weapons School instructor in the F-15C and B-2A. Maj. Gen. VanHerck has commanded at the squadron, group and wing command levels. His staff assignments include tours at Air Combat Command, Air Force Global Strike Command and U.S. Strategic Command. Prior to assuming his current position, he commanded the Air Force Warfare Center, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.
Brig. Gen. Jeff Hurlbert is the deputy inspector general of the Air Force, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. The inspector general reports to the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force on the readiness, efficiency and military discipline of all components of the Air Force: active duty, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard. The inspector general provides inspection policy and oversees the inspection and evaluation system for all Air Force nuclear and conventional forces; oversees counterintelligence operations; investigates fraud, waste and abuse; oversees criminal investigations; and provides oversight of the complaint’s resolution programs. The inspector general is also responsible for two field operating agencies, the Air Force Inspection Agency and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
Rear Adm. Edward Cashman is a native of Brockton, Massachusetts. He is a 1987 graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He was commissioned through Navy Officer Candidate School in 1988 and holds a Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Maryland and a Master of Arts in National Security Studies from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. At sea, Cashman commanded USS Mustin (DDG-89) operating as part of the forward deployed Naval Force from Yokosuka, Japan. He also commanded Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 50, forward deployed in Manama, Bahrain. Previous assignments at sea include main propulsion assistant, USS Arkansas (CG-41); operations officer, USS Merrill (DD-976); main propulsion assistant, USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74); executive officer, USS Valley Forge (CG-50) and surface operations officer, Carrier Strike Group (CCSG) 3.
A native of Naperville, IL, Cmdr. Meghan Angermann graduated with a Bachelor's in biomedical engineering, was commissioned in 2000, and designated a naval aviator in 2003. Angermann deployed twice aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Enduring Freedom (OEF). In 2008, she served with the “Tigers” of VT-9 where she was designated an instructor pilot in the T-45C Goshawk. Following her selection as a full-time support officer, Angermann reported to the “Eagles” of VT-7 in 2011, where she served as the head of multiple departments. Angermann graduated from the Command and Staff College Distance Education Program from the Marine Corps University. In 2014, she served as assistant deputy chief of staff for N5, Plans and Policy and as the secretariat to the Navy Reserve Policy Board. Angermann earned a Master's in national security and strategic studies from the United States Naval War College in Newport, RI. She reported to VT-9 as executive officer in November 2018 and assumed command in February of 2020.
Brig. Gen. John Allen is the Air Force director of civil engineers, deputy chief of staff for Logistics, Engineering & Force Protection, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. He is responsible for providing policy and oversight for the planning, development, construction, maintenance, utilities and environmental quality of 183 Air Force bases worldwide valued at more than $297 billion. This responsibility includes housing, fire emergency services, explosive ordnance disposal and emergency management services. He also influences resourcing for installation support functions with an annual budget of $11 billion and is the focal point for organizing, training and equipping the 51,000-person engineering force. Brig. Gen. Allen's education includes a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Virginia Tech, a Master of Science in engineering management from the University of Alaska Anchorage, and a Master of Arts in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College.