NEWPORT, RI – More than 35 U.S. Naval War College (NWC) alumni represented their nations’ naval forces as delegates to the 25th Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) International Seapower Symposium (ISS), held onboard Naval Station Newport, Sept. 19-22.
ISS-25, jointly hosted by the CNO and NWC, featured heads of navy and representatives from over 91 countries serving as delegates. The symposium provided these senior international naval leaders a forum to examine maritime challenges and explore opportunities to strengthen readiness for maritime security cooperation and partnership.
“Our mandate is to provide excellence in education, research, and outreach and to continue to build and maintain strong relationships with our many international partners, allies, and friends,” said Rear Adm. Pete Garvin, president of NWC, while discussing the mission of the college. “It is evident from the many naval war college alumni from all over the world, that our international programs promote trust, confidence, and cooperation.”
NWC has served as the venue for the biennial conference since 1969, providing an academic environment for discussions which have led to progress in countering piracy; providing disaster relief and humanitarian assistance; coordinating search and rescue at sea; and countering arms, drugs and human trafficking, and fishery or pollution violations.
“We are incredibly proud to not only co-host this important venue for international dialogue, but also to produce so many of its current and future participants through our educational programs,” said
Tom Mangold, Dean of International Programs at NWC. “The fact that so many delegates to ISS are NWC alumni is the perfect example of how this institution creates world-class critical thinkers and leaders.”
The college’s International Programs (IP) department facilitates the education of almost 200 international students from over 75 nations every year. Since its inception in 1956, NWC’s IP department has graduated 461 heads of navy and two heads of government.
All international graduates, along with their U.S. counterparts, belong to a global alumni network of more than 50,000 military and government leaders around the world. NWC’s Office of Alumni Programs helps to maintain these connections through online educational resources, international events and online networking platforms.
NWC delivers excellence in education, research, and outreach, informing today’s decision-makers and educating tomorrow’s leaders. The college provides educational experiences and learning opportunities that develop students’ ability to anticipate and prepare strategically for the future, strengthen the foundations of peace, and create a decisive warfighting advantage.