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Joel I. Holwitt, Ph.D.

Military Professor Joint Military Operations Department
Capt., U.S. Navy
Joel I. Holwitt faculty photo

Biography

Capt. Joel Holwitt served in five fast-attack nuclear submarines, commanding one. He has deployed to the Western Pacific and European Command, as well as served in shipyard availabilities in Pearl Harbor, Groton, and Norfolk. Ashore, he has served in assignments for strategic studies, personnel policy, capability development, tactical doctrine, and shipyard submarine support. A 2003 Naval Academy graduate, he earned a M.A. and Ph.D. in history from Ohio State University in 2005. He is the author of “Execute Against Japan”: The U.S. Decision to Conduct Unrestricted Submarine Warfare (Texas A&M University Press, 2009) and numerous articles, including prize-winning entries in the Chief of Naval Operations Naval History Essay Contest.

Contact Information

(401) 856-5431

Areas of Expertise

  • Cold War
  • Leadership
  • Maritime History
  • Maritime Strategy
  • Military Planning
  • Military Technology
  • Military Theory
  • Submarine Warfare
  • WWII

Professional Highlights

2023

Commander Submarine Force Atlantic Shipyard Representative – Groton

Type commander representative for all submarines at the Electric Boat Shipyard, providing technical assistance, oversight for training and crew readiness, and supporting crew certification for all submarines at Electric Boat.
2021

Commanding Officer, USS Toledo (SSN 769)

Responsible for the operations, maintenance, training, and performance of a fast attack submarine, its nuclear propulsion plant, and over 150 officers and enlisted crew.
2019

Tactical Development Department Head, Undersea Warfighting Development Center Tactical Analysis Group

Responsible for technical and tactical maturation of advanced warfighting tactics, techniques, and concepts through the planning and execution of tactical development exercises and publication of doctrine manuals.

Education

Ph.D., The Ohio State University, 2005, History

M.A., The Ohio State University, 2005, History

B.S., U.S. Naval Academy, 2003, History

C.V. or Resume

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