Anchor at U.S. Naval War College

College Leadership & Advisory Board

The U.S. Naval War College (NWC) is an educational institution within the Department of the Navy. The President of the college is accountable directly to the Chief of Naval Operations, who establishes the college's mission, provides general guidelines and appropriated funds for its operation, and selects the president of NWC.

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President
Peter A. Garvin
Rear Adm., U.S. Navy

Rear Adm. Pete Garvin is the President of the U.S. Naval War College and a career naval aviator. He graduated, with merit, from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1989, with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering (Astronautics Track). Garvin graduated from the National War College in 2005 with a Master of Science in National Security Strategy. He is a 2015 alumnus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Center for International Studies Seminar XXI. Garvin has completed courses in national and international security, leadership, and strategic thinking at Harvard, Syracuse University, and the University of North Carolina, and served as a military fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

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Vice President/Chief of Staff
Michael J. Rak
Capt., U.S. Navy

Capt. Michael Rak is a 1997 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation and a U.S. Coast Guard Third Mates License. He earned a master’s degree in National Security Affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2003. In 2020 he earned a second master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies as well as a Graduate Certificate in Maritime History from the U.S. Naval War College. He has completed numerous joint and operational assignments including as commanding officer of USS Milius (DDG 69) and USS Cowpens (CG 63).

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Provost
Stephen J. Mariano

Provost Stephen Mariano, Ph.D. most recently served as the deputy commandant and dean of the NATO Defense College in Rome, Italy. He also served on the faculties of the School of International Service at American University, National Defense University, the Royal Military College of Canada and the U.S. Military Academy. He holds a B.A. in mathematics and economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, an M.A. in national security affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Ph.D. in war studies from the Royal Military College of Canada.

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Command Master Chief
Joseph D. Fahrney
Master Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy

Command Master Chief Fahrney enlisted in the Navy in 1990. He holds a Bachelor of Science in education (magna cum laude) from Valdosta State University and a Master of Science in leadership (with distinction) from Roger Williams University. Fahrney’s military education and training include the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 126), CMC/COB Capstone Course (Class 31) and Senior Shore Station Leadership Program. He is a 2010 Keystone Graduate of the National Defense University, 2015 graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School Navy Senior Leader Seminar and a 2021 graduate of the strategic thinking seminar at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business Administration.

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Office of the Provost
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Thomas J. Gibbons

Associate Provost

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Edward J. Gillen

Director of Institutional Effectiveness

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Brad Carter

Associate Provost for Outreach and Engagement

Jeremiah Ross Dancy Profile Image
Jeremiah Ross Dancy

Associate Provost for Research

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Michael H. Bush

Associate Provost for Academic Services

Deans
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Steven L. Pierce

College of Distance Education

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Thomas E. Mangold Jr.

International Programs

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William J. Nault

College of Leadership and Ethics

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Brian D. Doherty

Dean of Students

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Edward B. Cashman

College of Maritime Operational Warfare

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Paul Brister

Center for Naval Warfare Studies

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Doyle K. Hodges

Dean of Academics

Deputies
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Michael J. Sherlock

Dean of Academics

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Rick Menard

Office of the Chief of Staff

Sean P Henseler Profile Image
Sean P. Henseler

College of Maritime Operational Warfare

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Robert S. Winneg

International Programs

Robert Wayne Tomlinson Profile Image
Robert Wayne Tomlinson

College of Distance Education

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Edmund B. Hernandez

College of Distance Education

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James A. Schnelle

Center for Naval Warfare Studies

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Lawrence T. Brown

College of Leadership and Ethics

Senior Service Advisors
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Steven L. Shinkel

U.S. Air Force & Space Force

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Fred S. Bertsch

U.S. Coast Guard

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Craig R. Wonson

U.S. Marine Corps

Walter M. Braunohler
Walter M. Braunohler

State Department

Education for Seapower Advisory Board (E4SAB) NWC Subcommittee
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Kevin Scott

Vice Adm., U.S. Navy, Retired

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Danelle Barrett

Rear Adm., U.S. Navy, Retired

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Melvin G. Williams, Jr.

Vice Adm., U.S. Navy, Retired

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Peter Gumataotao

Rear Adm., U.S. Navy, Retired

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Jeffrey Hughes, Ex Officio

Vice Adm., U.S. Navy

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Kevin Iiams, Ex Officio

Lt. Gen., U.S. Marine Corps

More Information on the College

News, Media, & Events

Executive Level Operational Level of Warfare Course

Mar. 18-22, 2024
Evans Hall, U.S. Naval War College, 686 Cushing Rd, Newport, RI 02841

Issues in National Security: "Robots that Fly, Swim, & Crawl"

Mar. 19, 2024
4:30 p.m.
Spruance Auditorium, U.S. Naval War College, 686 Cushing Road, Newport, RI 02841