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.
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.
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.
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
U.S. Strategic Command, U.S. Pacific Fleet Hold Combined Wargame at U.S. Naval War College
Issues in National Security: "Wargaming at NWC Since 1887"
Lectures of Opportunity: "The Role of Operational Energy in National Security"
Featured Faculty
Erik Sand
Erik Sand is an assistant professor in the Strategic and Operational Research Department at the Naval War College’s Center for Naval Warfare Studies. He earned his Ph.D. in political science as part of Security Studies Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Professor Sand is a Navy reserve surface warfare officer with nine years of active-duty service. His current book project explores why states share advanced military technology with other states. His other research interests include great power dynamics including deterrence, the political economy of security, bureaucratic politics and maritime issues.
Luis R. Rivera
Lt. Col. Luis R. Rivera, U.S. Army, joined the Strategy and Policy Department in 2021. Lt. Col. Rivera has commanded at the company and battalion level. His combat and operational deployments include Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Poland and Germany. He is a graduate of the Sistema Universitario Ana G. Mendez (B.S. in Biology) and the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (M.S. in Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management). His professional military education includes the Combined Logistics Captain’s Career Course, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the Command and General Staff School for Command Preparation – Battalion Pre-Command Course.
Featured Publications
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Donald Trump's Machiavellian Instincts
Foreign Legionnaires and Military Mutinies
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 GoalUpcoming 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 EventsAbout 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