NEWPORT, R.I. – U.S. Naval War College (NWC) graduated 61 Navy, Marine Corps and Army officers during a graduation ceremony held in Spruance Auditorium, March 6.
The graduates from NWC’s College of Naval Warfare (CNW) received master’s degrees in National Security and Strategic Studies, while graduates of the College of Naval Command and Staff (CNCS) received master’s degrees in Defense and Strategic Studies – both accredited by the New England Association for Schools and Colleges.
With coursework in national security decision making, strategy and policy, and joint military operations, the two programs are designed to prepare students to think critically, operationally and strategically.
The senior-level CNW course graduated 12 officers. The intermediate-level CNCS course graduated 49.
During the ceremony, the graduates were reminded that their work is not over, but just beginning.
“You leave here with the tools and authority to make change in our joint force,” said William Bundy, director, U.S. Naval War College’s (NWC) Gravely Naval Warfare Research Group, and the graduation speaker. “Stand on the shoulders of those who came before you. Stand on the shoulders of those who were your mentors, of those who were your subordinate advisors, those senior enlisted officers, petty officers and sergeants who really took you by the hand to guide you along. Let that be your guide.”
Photos from the ceremony can be viewed and downloaded at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmbXTRQG.
A recorded video of the ceremony can be viewed at https://goo.gl/sbHJkF.
Established in 1884, NWC is the oldest institution of its kind in the world. More than 50,000 students have graduated since its first class of nine students in 1885 and about 300 of today’s active duty admirals, generals and senior executive service leaders are alumni. As a one-year resident program, NWC graduates about 600 resident students and about 1,000 distance learning students each year. The mission of NWC is to educate and develop future leaders by building strategic and cultural perspective and enhancing the capability to advise senior leaders and policy-makers. Students earn Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) credit and either a diploma or a Master of Arts degree.