NWC professors lecture at Uruguay Naval War College

NEWPORT, R.I. – Professors from U.S. Naval War College’s (NWC) National Security Affairs department travelled to Uruguay to deliver the Security, Strategy and Joint Force Development Seminar at that nation’s naval war college.

The purpose of the visit by Larry McCabe, Jim Cook and Derek Reveron earlier this month was to help prepare senior military officers from all services as the Uruguay military transition to a joint service operating model. 

The seminar included a robust discussion of the challenges and opportunities for Uruguay’s military forces in the contemporary global and regional security environments, while offering a force planning process promoting the importance of Uruguay's national interests, strategic objectives, operational concepts and force capabilities. 

The seminar concluded with a holistic look at Uruguay’s security with an emphasis on joint service cooperation.

“I was glad to exchange ideas on cybersecurity and professional military education with my counterparts in Uruguay," said Reveron, EMC Informationist Chair at NWC.

As a cybersecurity expert, Reveron’s visit was especially valuable as a global ransomware attack provided a real-time case to consider. 

The seminar has grown from a small group of 15 Uruguayan officers in the General Staff Course to a much larger student cohort of 60 officers in the Joint Captains and Colonels Course. 

“The relationship between the War College of Uruguay and the United States began many years ago” said Capt. Fernando Colombo, director of the Uruguayan Naval War College. “Because the course is so good, we want to give it to as many officers as possible.”

The NWC professors later met with senior officers from the Uruguayan Navy Staff to discuss maritime and joint planning and how it might be taught in their professional military education curricula.

Finally, the group also met with local economists, academics and businessmen as part of a civilian outreach effort by the Uruguayan Naval War College and Rear Adm. Daniel Nunez, Chief of the Uruguayan Navy Personnel Command. 

This event supports the NWC mission to provide support to the Fleet and reinforcing international partnerships. Uruguay is one of several countries with which NWC has established and maintained strong relationships in the U.S. Southern Command region.

NWC is a one-year resident program that graduates about 600 resident students and about 1,000 distance learning students each year. Its missions include educating and developing leaders, helping define the future of the Navy, supporting combat readiness, and strengthening maritime partnerships. Students earn Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) credit and either a diploma or a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies or Defense and Strategic Studies. Established in 1884, U.S. Naval War College is the oldest institution of its kind in the world. More than 50,000 students have graduated since its first class of nine students in 1885 and about 300 of today’s active duty admirals, generals and senior executive service leaders are alumni.