Former Secretary of the Navy John Lehman Addresses U.S. Naval War College Class

NEWPORT, R.I. – Former Secretary of the Navy John Lehman visited the U.S. Naval War College (NWC)’s Newport, Rhode Island, campus and delivered a lecture to students in the school’s Strategy and War course on Oct. 21, 2025. 

"It was motivating and enlightening for the students in our core Strategy and War course to hear from Secretary Lehman,” said Rear Adm. Darryl Walker, president of the NWC. “His wealth of experience from the highest levels of our Navy and government, along with his perspectives, help our warfighters understand how to bring strategic thinking to the operational and even tactical levels of conflict.  

“The U.S. Naval War College continues to be a place where some of the brightest minds in our country's military and military history train the next generations of warfighters and battlefield leaders," he continued. 

The Strategy and War course examines how the overall strategic environment shapes operational choices and outcomes – familiarizing students with the fundamentals of foreign policy and military strategy. 

A former naval aviator, Lehman served as Navy Secretary under President Ronald Reagan from 1981-1987. He later went on to serve on the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, better known as the 9/11 Commission and assembled to investigate the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist airplane hijackings and attacks on the Pentagon and New York’s World Trade Center. 

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 anticipate and prepare strategically for the future, strengthen the foundations of peace, and create a decisive warfighting advantage.