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 Web-Enabled Program is offered to eligible students located throughout the world. The program is closely aligned with the College of Naval Command and Staff curriculum and the Fleet Seminar Program. During this course of study, the student will submit a variety of written assignments in the form of assessments, answers to multiple choice questions, and essays. Time limits for submission of written materials are specified in individual syllabi.
As part of the agreement between U.S. Naval War College (NWC) and Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), the college has structured the program at NPS so that students enrolled in the master’s degree program are able to earn a NWC, College of Distance Education Command and Staff diploma in four quarters. The agreement stipulated a level of effort equating four separate four-credit hour courses which can be achieved by enrolling in one course per quarter. Students who successfully complete both programs would leave NPS with their master's degree, subspecialty code, NWC diploma and Joint Professional Military Education Phase (JPME) I credit.
The Graduate Degree Program (GDP) 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.
The core course work for the intermediate resident program consists of three trimesters of study, plus three electives, one per each trimester. The intermediate course has one longer trimester of seventeen weeks for the study of joint maritime operations and two other eleven week trimesters. U.S. Naval War College develops the three core courses as independent courses of study to accommodate the unique system of matriculating and graduating students in November, March, and June.
The Maritime Staff Operators Course (MSOC) is the first course in series of three Professional Military Education courses. MSOC prepares officers (O5 and below) and senior enlisted personnel to effectively serve in operational staff assignments in Maritime Operations Centers (MOC), or represent maritime planning efforts while serving in other Service/Joint/Combined liaison billets. The course builds on fundamentals and culminates with practical planning and execution application using a complex, fictitious case study, including a four and a half day Battle Lab experience.
The Maritime Operational Planners Course (MOPC) is an eleven week course that develops planners capable of performing in dynamic, complex, and high-tempo maritime operational environments. The course is available to a select group of officers, O3 to O5 en-route or already assigned to a maritime headquarters. MOPC produces officers capable of forming, organizing, and leading operational planning teams and are proficient in the detailed application of the Navy Planning Process. The curriculum is based on Navy, naval, and joint doctrine as well as emerging concepts at Fleet Maritime Operations Centers (MOC) and observations from U.S. Naval War College Assist and Assess Team fleet visits.
The International Maritime Staff Operator Course (I-MSOC) is a twelve week course jointly designed by U.S. Naval War College (NWC) International Programs and the College of Maritime Operational Warfare, to provide international naval officers 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 O3-O5 (NATO OF-2 to OF-4) maritime officers with an English Comprehension Level (ECL) of 80, the course uses the U.S. Navy Maritime Operations Center (MOC) 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 as described in Naval Warfare Publication 5-01.
The Executive Officer Leadership Course is offered to all O4/O5/O6 officers ordered to an "Executive Officer" or executive officer equivalent billet. Additionally, O3 officers ordered to an operational (deploying) command as an "Executive Officer" are also eligible to attend. Selected Reservists Officers may attend if serving in an Executive Officer, or equivalent billet, on a space-available basis. Requests for officers not strictly meeting the above requirements will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Commanding Officer, Naval Leadership and Ethics Center.
The Naval Staff College (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
Maritime Advanced Warfighting School consists of the College of Naval Command & Staff core courses and expanded electives. This is augmented by a three-month planning exercise, as well as joint and interagency interface opportunities.
Fleet Seminar Program (FSP) offers joint intermediate level Professional Military Education (PME) through a set of three courses: Strategy and War, Theater Security Decision Making, and Joint Maritime Operations. These courses are offered at multiple locations, in keeping with efforts of the Chief of Naval Personnel, to foster a deliberate and flexible learning environment. Each course normally requires one academic year to complete. An FSP academic year runs from September through the following May.
Graduate Certificate in Ethics and Emerging Military Technology is a specialized elective track completed in conjunction with 10-month College of Naval Warfare and College of Naval Command and Staff curricula.
Advanced Strategist Program is a specialized elective track completed in conjunction with 10-month College of Naval Warfare and College of Naval Command and Staff curricula.
The International Wargaming Course (I-WC) is a two week course jointly designed by U.S. Naval War College International Programs and the Wargaming Department, to introduce international partners to the fundamental concepts of wargaming through the project management process, and practical application. Designed to meet the learning needs of O3-O5 (NATO OF2 - OF4) officers with an English Comprehension Level (ECL) of 80, the course will enable students to better understand how to develop their national wargaming organization to conduct research, analysis, gaming, and education.
The core course work for the senior resident programs consists of three trimesters of study, plus three electives, one per each trimester. The senior course consists of three equal trimesters of about thirteen weeks each. U.S. Naval War College develops the three core courses as independent courses of study to accommodate the senior level College of Naval Warfare’s unique system of matriculating and graduating students in November, March, and June.
The Executive Level Operational Level of Warfare Course (ELOC) is the second course in series of four Professional Military Education courses. ELOC focuses at the senior leadership (O6) level, this 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 (MOC) and its resources.
In the Naval Command College (NCC), senior international officers pursue eleven months of graduate-level study in residence. The NCC program has five major pillars: orientation, the core curriculum, electives, the Field Studies Program, and the cultural exchange. International students are fully integrated with their U.S. counterparts in the College of Naval Warfare (CNW). Although international students do not receive formal grades or a master’s degree, they participate fully in all three core courses in the CNW program. They must complete all class and seminar exercises and writing assignments, and they receive written feedback from the faculty.
Prospective Major Commanding Officers (O6) who typically have 20-25 years of commissioned service and have attended the Prospective Commanding Officer Leadership Course en-route to their second Command tour will attend the one-week Major Command Leadership Course in Newport, Rhode Island.
Prospective Commanding Officers (who typically have 15-21 years of commissioned service): O5/O6 officers en-route to their first Command tour will attend the two-week Command Leadership Course in Newport, Rhode island. Additionally, Surface Warfare Lieutenant commanders en-route to their initial Command-At-Sea command (e.g., MCM or LCS Rotational Crews) will also attend the Command Leadership Course in Newport, Rhode Island. Selected Reserve Officers who have screened for command and are assigned to commissioned units will mirror the active force Leadership Training Continuum requirements.
The purpose of the Joint Force Maritime Component Commander (JFMCC) Flag Course is to prepare future Maritime Component Commanders to plan and execute complex maritime operations.
The purpose of the flag level Combined Force Maritime Component Commander (CFMCC) Flag Course is to develop a network of leaders, focused on the operational level, in support of cooperation in the theater, oriented toward maritime security. It serves as a forum to develop and deepen relationships based upon trust and confidence among stakeholders/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 Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat (CMC/COB) Course is a capstone program that provides selected personnel with a 'just in time' learning experience designed to help them further develop the unique perspective and special skills needed to serve as a vital member of their command's leadership triad: Commanding Officer, Executive Officer, and Command Master Chief. Building on the foundation of the Navy Leadership Competency Model, the course utilizes both facilitated seminars and comprehensive group case study analysis to achieve its objective of preparing individuals for the most demanding assignments in the Navy.
The Navy Senior Enlisted Academy (SEA) provides senior enlisted leaders education in communication skills, leadership and management, national security affairs, Navy programs, and physical fitness. The SEA is the Navy's only Professional Military Education institute for our senior enlisted force. With capacity of supporting over 1,200 students annually, it is attended by active and reserve personnel from the U.S. Navy, Air Force, Army, Army National Guard, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps, as well as International Service partners.
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.
Dr. Cohn's research and publications focus on military organizations, civil-military relations, international law of war, and foreign policy/public opinion. She has been invited to speak on civil-military relations or military manpower issues in the U.S., Germany, France, and Denmark. She has split her time between academic and policy work, and serves on the boards of the Inter-university Seminar on Armed Forces and Society, APSA's section on International Security and Arms Control, and the editorial boards of the journals Res Militaris and Armed Forces and Society.
United States defense policy is facing a pivot point as the rise of Chinese and Russian military power means new challenges – particularly at sea, which is considered the most likely theater for conflict.
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.
In addition to world-class research and scholarship at the Naval War College, our Senior Enlisted Academy and Naval Leadership and Ethics Center provide critical education, training, and tools to our future and current command leaders.
Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis has announced that the president has nominated U.S. Naval War College alumnus Adm. Philip S. Davidson for reappointment to the rank of admiral, and assignment as commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Honolulu, Hawaii. Davidson is currently serving as commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia.
Vice Adm. Lisa Franchetti is a native of Rochester, New York. She received her commission in 1985 through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program at Northwestern University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. She also attended the Naval War College and holds a master’s in organizational management from the University of Phoenix. On March 1, 2018 Vice Adm. Franchetti assumed command of U.S. 6th Fleet. Her operational tours include auxiliaries officer and first division officer on USS Shenandoah (AD 44); navigator and jumboization coordinator on USS Monongahela (AO 178); operations officer on USS Moosbrugger (DD 980); combat systems officer and chief staff officer for Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2; executive officer of USS Stout (DDG 55); and assistant surface operations officer on USS George Washington Strike Group. She commanded USS Ross (DDG 71) and DESRON-21, embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). She also served as commander of Pacific Partnership 2010, embarked on USNS Mercy (T-AH 19).
The chief of staff of the Army has announced that U.S. Naval War College alumnus Brig. Gen. Alfred F. Abramson III has been assigned as program executive officer, ammunition and commanding general, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey.
Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson announced that Rear Adm. Curt Copley will be assigned as deputy chief of staff, Intelligence, Resolute Support and deputy director, Intelligence - Plans, U.S. Forces, Kabul, Afghanistan. Copley graduated with highest distinction from the College of Naval Command and Staff.
Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson announced that Rear Adm. Jeffrey W. Hughes will be assigned as commander, Navy Personnel Command; and deputy chief of Naval Personnel, Millington, Tennessee. He graduated with distinction from the Naval War College, receiving a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies.
A native of Washington, D.C. and a 1982 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Vice Admiral Thomas Rowden has served in a diverse range of sea and shore assignments. Rowden's sea duty assignments include duty in cruisers, destroyers and aircraft carriers in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. Ashore, he has served on the Joint Staff as an action officer in the Defense and Space Operations Division (J38); on the chief of naval operations staff as the theater missile and air defense branch head for the director, Navy Missile Defense (N71), and as the executive assistant to the director of Surface Warfare (N76).