Carol A. Prather

Associate Professor Joint Military Operations Department

Cmdr., U.S. Navy, Retired

Biography

Carol A. Prather joined the NWC faculty as an associate professor in 2017, having first joined as a military professor in the Joint Military Operations Department in 2012. A P-3 pilot by trade, Prather's Naval service included operational and combat deployments to Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Central America and the Caribbean. She developed operational planning expertise through staff assignments in Japan. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate in International Relations at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Her research focuses on Chinese maritime strategy. Professor Prather is a 1992 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.

Contact Information

(401) 856-5441

Reveal Email

Areas of Expertise

Asia-Pacific
International Relations
Military Planning
National Security

Professional Highlights

2016

Associate Professor

Teaching senior US and international military officers, and members of civilian agencies (e.g. State Department, FBI, CIA, DOE) graduate level course addressing strategy, operational art, doctrine, and planning.

2012

Military Professor

Received 2014 Vice Admiral Thomas R. Weschler Award for Inspirational Teaching. Teaching senior US and international military officers, and members of civilian agencies (e.g. State Department, FBI, CIA, DOE) graduate level course addressing strategy, operational art, doctrine, and planning.

2010

Student - College of Naval Warfare

Graduated with distinction in 2011. Earned Additional Qualification Designator in Asia-Pacific Area of Studies (AOS 2- AQD 241).

2008

CTF-72 Liaison to C7F

Permanent Liaison Officer to the Seventh Fleet staff embarked in the flag ship, USS Blue Ridge, Yokosuka Japan. Liaised between commanders for all maritime patrol matters, including updates to numbered plans, long term basing, ongoing operations, and coordination with allies up to ministry levels.

2006

Current Operations Officer, Patrol and Reconnaissance Force Seventh Fleet

Forward Deployed Naval Forces staff in Misawa and Atsugi, Japan. As Current Operations Officer and Exercise Officer, planned and coordinated operations and exercises for maritime patrol and reconnaissance forces, in conjunction with allies partners throughout the Asia Pacific Region.

2004

Operation Officer, Patrol Squadron Four

Operations Officer for a P-3 squadron of 450 people and ten aircraft. Operational deployments to Djibouti, Bahrain for operations over Iraq and the Arabian Gulf, to Afghanistan in support of ongoing Operation Enduring Freedom, and to Japan for operations in the Western Pacific.

2001

Ops Admin Officer, Tactical Action Officer, USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63)

Reported September 11, 2001. Kittyhawk, the forward deployed aircraft carrier in Yokosuka, Japan, deployed immediately to the North Arabian Sea for Operation Enduring Freedom. Operations in the Western Pacific followed, then further deployment to the Arabian Gulf for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

1999

T-44 Instructor Pilot; Instructor, Basic Officer Leadership Course

Advanced Multi-engine flight instructor in the T-44 (Beech King Air). Also served a basic leadership instructor for newly winged aviators headed to the fleet.

1995

Aircraft Division Officer

P-3 pilot and mission commander. Operational deployments to Panama and Puerto Rico for counter drug operations, to Iceland for traditional maritime patrol operations, and to Sigonella, Sicily for maritime patrol, and in support of NATO operations over Bosnia.

1995

Naval Aviator

Designated Naval Aviator February, 1995.

Education

Current Ph.D. Candidate, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, International Relations

M.A.L.D. (M.A. in Law and Diplomacy), 2016, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University

M.A., U.S. Naval War College, 2011, National Security and Strategic Studies with distinction

B.S., U.S. Naval Academy, 1992

Related Credentials

Naval Aviator (over 2500 mishap free flight hours)

P-3 Pilot, Mission Commander

T-44 Instructor Pilot

FAA Air Transport Pilot (ATP)

Small Craft Officer in Charge

Awards and Decorations

Meritorious Service Medal

Air Medal

Naval Commendation Medal

Navy Achievement Medal

Joint Meritorious Unit Award

Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation

Meritorious Unit Commendation

Navy "E" (Battle E)

National Defense Service Medal

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

Afghanistan Campaign Medal

Iraq Campaign Medal

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Korea Defense Service Medal

Armed Forces Service Medal

Sea Service Deployment Ribbon

Navy/Marine Corps Overseas Ribbon

NATO Medal

Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon (Sharpshooter)

Other Honors

Vice Admiral Thomas R. Weschler Award for Inspirational Teaching
2014

External Memberships and Associations

China Maritime Studies Institute
Affiliate Member

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