Future Warfighting Symposium

The U.S. Naval War College (NWC) hosted its 8th Future Warfighting Symposium (FWS), August 7–8 on board Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island.
August 7–8, 2024 -- U.S. Naval War College hosts 8th Future Warfighting Symposium

NEWPORT, R.I. – The U.S. Naval War College (NWC) hosted its 8th Future Warfighting Symposium (FWS), August 7–8 on board Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island. The symposium began the NWC academic year with a theme of “Innovation and the Future of Joint Warfare,” featuring guest speakers and panels discussing conflict and competition in cyberspace, deterrence in the 21st century, artificial intelligence and data analysis, and competition in the space domain. NWC welcomed a broad collection of subject-matter experts addressing a multitude of topics identified by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as special areas of emphasis for professional military education. Keynote speakers included author Max Brooks and the 78th Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Carlos Del Toro. Established in 1884, NWC is the oldest institution of its kind in the world. The college delivers excellence in education, research, and outreach, informing today’s decision makers, educating tomorrow’s leaders, and engaging partners and allies on all matters of naval power in order to preserve the peace, respond in crisis, and win decisively in war. (U.S. Navy photo by Brett Dodge)

About this Event

Event Information

Wednesday, August 06-07, 2025
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
U.S. Naval War College, 686 Cushing Road, Newport, RI 02841

Strategy and Policy Department

This event is not open to the general public

This event is for U.S. Naval War College students, faculty and staff.

Since 2017, the Future Warfighting Symposium has launched the Naval War College academic year, convening subject-matter experts who address several topics identified by the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff as special areas of emphasis for professional military education. Now in its ninth year, the symposium continues to introduce cutting-edge topics to better prepare students to successfully lead in complex operations and strategic environments.

The primary audience is our in-residence student body comprised of mid-grade and senior officers (O-4 to O-6 and GS-13 to GS-15) from the uniformed services, civilian agencies of the U.S. government, and over sixty-five foreign countries. The Future Warfighting Symposium supports the National Defense Strategy and the CJCS Officer Professional Military Education Program (OPMEP) by challenging Naval War College students to think innovatively about new capabilities and domains that are changing the character of war. The Future Warfighting Symposium commences the ten-month curriculum including core courses in Strategy and Policy, National Security Affairs, Joint Military Operations, and Leadership in the Profession of Arms along with a diverse Electives Program. Students pursue a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies as well as Joint Professional Military Education credit.

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