There are two resident programs for international officers, the Naval Command College (NCC) and Naval Staff College (NSC). NCC is for senior officers who are integrated into academic work with their U.S. counterparts. NSC offers two courses. One is a full year course for mid-grade officers who are integrated with their U.S. counterparts. Officers in all courses benefit from a robust “Field Studies Program.” The objective of field studies travel is to illustrate how the United States functions in all respects including democratic ideals of elected government, internationally recognized human rights, free enterprise, judicial system, industry, diversity of society, press, political parties and interest groups, media and civil-military relations.
NSC conducts a second short course lasting six months. It is designed for navies who cannot spare an officer for a full year. It is a modified version of the one year course, including field studies. The students are partially integrated with U.S. officers.
NCC and NSC provide a superb forum to build trust, confidence and foster enduring professional and personal friendships. Alumni from more than 129 nations interact daily to resolve crises peacefully, when possible, and they work together as a coalition team should matters dictate. International Programs alumni and key U.S. Navy leaders often collaborate to share ideas.
History
International Programs were created due to the vision of Admiral A. Burke. In 1956, he sought to enhance mutual trust, confidence and cooperation among friends and partners by creating a course for international officers. Burke said, “In the Navy, when an old Sailor looks back, he finds that the majority of his friends are other naval officers, from his own country and other countries. People he relies on, people he trusts absolutely, people he likes, and has fun with…whom he knows and respects and admires and above all, men he can trust.” This was the genesis of the Naval Command College.
In 1972 the Naval Staff College (NSC), initially a six month course for mid-grade officers, was added. In 2004-2005, the College established the full year NSC course, designed to integrate mid-grade international officers with their U.S. officer counterparts. NWC now conducts both a one year and a six-month (January-June) NSC course.
A total of 129 nations have sent their finest officers to study at Newport. After retirement, many go on to further prominence as ambassadors, cabinet ministers, businessmen and heads of state. NWC remains in touch with alumni via personal contacts, regional symposia and newsletters.
International Programs Alumni Statistics (as of Dec. 2009)
| |
Alumni |
Flag officers |
Navy Chiefs |
Current Navy Chiefs |
| NCC |
1805 |
927 |
208 |
14 |
| NSC |
1867 |
313 |
108 |
20 |
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International Programs: Value Today and in the Future
NWC leads four initiatives: 1) building and sustaining global maritime partnerships; 2) enhancing international understanding and cooperation; 3) refining the theory and practice of maritime strategy, leadership and decision making; 4) developing strategic and operational leaders. In doing so, we emphasize the “Newport Connection” to enhance trust, confidence and promote cooperation among partner nations. World events confirm the value of developing and maintaining such friendships. International programs at NWC directly support developing robust global maritime partnerships.
Admiral Burke was clearly visionary in his understanding of the value of maritime engagement. In today’s complex world, threats and challenges evolve. Today, the National Defense Strategy states,
“We must work with longstanding friends and allies to transform their capabilities …(the) key to transformation is training (and) education….” The Defense Strategy also points out that,
“The United States must strengthen and expand alliances and partnerships. The U.S. alliance system has been a cornerstone of peace and security for more than a generation and remains the key to our success, contributing significantly to achieving all U.S. objectives.”
The Defense Strategy lists five objectives: “…defend the homeland; win the long war; promote security; deter conflict; and win our nation’s wars.” The strategy suggests five means to achieve the objectives: 1) Shape the Choices of Key States; 2) Prevent Adversaries from Acquiring or Using Weapons of Mass Destruction; 3) Strengthen and Expand Alliances and Partnerships; 4) Secure U.S. strategic access and retain freedom of action; 5) Integrate and unify our efforts: A new ‘Jointness.’
International Programs at NWC directly or indirectly support all of these. Each year we bring 100 to 150 foreign officers to the USA from around the globe. They study strategy, warfare, decision making and operational art. Equally important, they learn how the United States works as a country through the field studies program. Each officer is greatly influenced by what they see and learn in the USA. Each one forms strong bonds with their U.S. and international classmates. They maintain these professional and fraternal ties, remaining in contact for the rest of their lives. After graduation, NWC continues to strengthen friendship and cooperation by sponsoring periodic alumni regional symposia to further promote multilateral relationships, cooperation and exchange of ideas and to give Navy regional commanders a unique opportunity to meet and collaborate with these distinguished military leaders.
International Programs publishes alumni newsletters and professional writing which rounds out a robust engagement program designed to further develop the professional relationships formed in Newport to enhance trust and confidence and promote continuing cooperation. International programs provide an unmatched forum to bring future leaders to the United States to exchange ideas and opinions. These programs offer a unique opportunity to allow American and international officers to study together and learn from each other.
Contact Information
For additional information contact:
Dean, International Programs and Maritime Security Cooperation
Naval War College
686 Cushing Road
Newport, RI 02841-1207