Jamie McGrath

Adjunct Professor College of Distance Education

Capt., U.S. Navy, Retired

Biography

Capt. Jamie McGrath is an adjunct professor in the College of Distance Education. He retired from the U.S. Navy as a nuclear-trained surface warfare officer in 2019 after 29 years of service. Passionate about using history to inform today, his area of focus is U.S. naval history from 1919 to 1945 with an emphasis on the interwar period. He holds a Bachelor's in history from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, a Master's in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College and a Master's in military history from Norwich University. He also serves as the deputy commandant of cadets at Virginia Tech.

Contact Information

James.McGrath@usnwc.edu

Areas of Expertise

Amphibious Warfare
Asia-Pacific
Command and Control
Joint Operations
Maritime History
Military Planning
Military Theory
Operational Warfare
Surface Warfare
WWII

Professional Highlights

2021

Director, Rice Center for Leader Development at Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets

Directs the academic arm of the Corps of Cadets with the goal to develop the next generation of principled leaders by integrating theory and practice through scholarly dialogue and experiential learning in the areas of leadership, civic responsibility, service, and moral values, resulting in versatile and committed leaders who can assume roles of responsibility in virtually any field of endeavor.

2019

Adjunct Professor, Joint Military Operations, College of Distance Education, US Naval War College

Presents online content, provides online feedback to student discussion boards, grades all written work, including final exam and research papers for an online cohort of 20 officers seeking Joint Professional Military Education Phase I.

2019

Deputy Commandant, Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets

Advises and mentors 375 cadets in both Military and Civilian-Leader Tracks in leadership and Corps functions. Course coordinator and primary instructor for two Junior level undergraduate leadership courses. Assists Global Scholars program studying leadership in war and visiting those battlefields.

2017

Military Professor, Joint Military Operations, US Naval War College

Collaborated on curriculum and exam development, met students upon request, and graded written work, including final exam and research papers. Senior Moderator for three iterations of the course.

2015

Chief, Joint Exercise Division, Deputy Directorate for Joint Training, J7

Led collaborative team creating and implementing globally integrated exercises to train national-level leadership in strategic priority areas. Reinvigorated JS participation in BMD Training and Education Group (BTEG) and drove BTEG reorganization to better training community and warfighter.

2012

COMNAVEUR Liaison to COMUSEUCOM

Primary interface between major joint military staff and its naval component, ensuring alignment of operations and planning, advocating for naval component concerns, and coordinating US naval actions with multi-national partners. Qualified as a Joint Qualified Officer.

2006

Commanding Officer, Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron SEVEN

Commanding Officer of a 280-person unit based in Guam, providing force protection and security to logistics forces across Pacific, Asia, and the Middle East. Fostered relationships with over a dozen CTFs across 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleets to ensure complete support and efficient operations.

Education

M.A., Norwich University, 2017, Military History

Joint Professional Military Education Phase II, Joint Forces Staff College, 2009

M.A., U.S. Naval War College, 2002, National Security and Strategic Studies

B.A., Virginia Tech, 1990, History

C.V. or Resume

Awards and Decorations

Surface Navy Association Literary Award Honorable Mention
2020

First Runner-up for Center for International Maritime Security (CIMSEC) Forum for Authors and Readers (CFAR)
2019

Presidential Honor Graduate, U.S. Naval War College
Class of 2002

External Memberships and Associations

U.S. Naval Institute

Surface Navy Association
Life Member

Society of Military History

Naval Order of the United States

Highty-Tighty Alumni Association
Ex Officio Board Member

American Veterans (AMVETS)

Military Writers Guild

Center for International Maritime Security (CIMSEC)
Editorial Staff

Material and external links contained herein are made available for the purpose of peer review and discussion and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Naval War College, Department of the Navy or the Department of Defense.