Chief of Naval Operations Announces Navy’s “Fighting Instructions” During Address at U.S. Naval War College

The 34th Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Adm. Daryl L. Caudle, unveiled the U.S. Navy’s new Fighting Instructions during an address to U.S. Naval War College students, faculty and staff – as well as representatives of other tenant commands at Naval Station Newport – at the war college’s Rhode Island campus on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026.

Caudle’s Fighting Instructions represent a comprehensive framework to guide how the Navy organizes, trains, equips, and fights in an increasingly contested global security environment. The plan officially introduced the CNO’s Hedge Strategy, integrating advanced, rapidly evolving technology – such as unmanned systems – to complement the Navy’s main surface, air and undersea forces to generate scalable, adaptable battle groups to meet threats in any theater.

“Our Navy’s approach to combat can no longer be based on capability overmatch and winning by mass dominance alone,” said Caudle, who described the war college as the Navy’s “Home of Thought” and the ideal place to deliver his strategy to future operational and strategic leaders.

“The nation needs a Navy that can hedge lethal effects aggressively, innovate continuously, fight distributivity, and command with clarity across a global network of battlespaces,” he said.

Tying into his previously announced “Foundry” priority – focused on force generation, maintenance and evolution – Caudle also discussed how the Navy’s Fighting Instructions would integrate with the growth of the president’s Golden Fleet initiative, delivering new and more powerful ship platforms, as well as support for the professional development of the Navy’s “most enduring strategic advantage,” its sailors.

“It was an honor to welcome Adm. Caudle back to the U.S. Naval War College, to one of his foundries where we educate tomorrow’s warfighters every day to lead our forces into the future,” said Rear Adm. Darryl Walker, NWC president. “Our students – as well as faculty, staff and personnel from neighboring commands – benefitted tremendously from the CNO's insight and vision, and they'll carry those priorities with them as they complete their tours here and return to the front lines.”

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.