Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Visits U.S. Naval War College

The Honorable Benjamin C. Kohlmann, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (ASN M&RA), visited the U.S. Naval War College (NWC) in Newport, Rhode Island, on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.

Mr. Kohlmann is responsible for the oversight of manpower and reserve component affairs of the Department of the Navy, including the full spectrum of policy and programs for military, their families and civilian workforce. Additionally, his portfolio includes the DON’s Office of Equal Employment Opportunity; Office of Force Resiliency; Naval Education; Manpower, Analytics and Human Resources Systems; Board for Correction of Naval Records; Council of Review Boards; and DON’s lifecycle management of senior executives across the department.

Before appointment to his current role in December 2025, he served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Navy Reserve for 20 years, including service in combat as an F/A-18 fighter pilot assigned to the Black Aces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41.

While on active duty, Kohlman also founded and led the Defense Entrepreneurs Forum.

At the war college Wednesday, Mr. Kohlmann met with command leadership, including NWC President Rear Adm. Darryl Walker. He also received a brief on wargaming and held a meeting with faculty and staff.

Established in 1884, NWC informs today’s decision-makers and educates tomorrow’s leaders by providing educational experiences and learning opportunities that develop their ability to hedge aggressively, innovate continuously, fight distributively, delegate confidently, and command with clarity within complex battlespaces.