Newport, R.I. - The U.S. Naval War College celebrated their spring graduation in a ceremony honoring 61 students in Spruance auditorium, March 2. The class gathered to hear remarks from Naval War College President Rear Adm. Shoshana Chatfield.
“My charge to you as you return to your operational positions throughout the world is to lean on and utilize the new tools that you worked on here, analyze how we fight, frame problems, develop and assess solutions and build winning teams,” said Chatfield. “Although your academic year here in Newport is only a small slice of the continuum of learning that will take place throughout your career, you must continue to invest in personal and professional development for yourself and for those you lead.”
Navy Capt. Patrick Kulakowski, professor, Center for Naval Warfare Studies, delivered the keynote address.
“You have to commit to continuous learning. You need to think critically, need to develop your own personal curriculum, in my opinion, to continue to excel,” said Kulakowski. “There will not be some structured course from you going forward that is going to teach you everything. So with a commitment to continuous learning, you need to be well rounded.”
NWC recognized the two top officers as NWC’s honor graduates. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Bryan Dean Pettepher from the College of Naval Command and Staff and Marine Corps Col. Edmund Bradley Hipp from the College of Naval Warfare received the honors.
“My fellow classmates, I valued your honesty and frank debates, both in and out of the seminar. I honestly can say I learned as much from you as I did from the coursework itself,” said Pettepher about his year-long experience.
Hipp also provided remarks to the graduation class.
“My charge to those of us graduating today is to take the time and energy to maintain those friendships,” said Hipp. “These bonds may be the advantage that allows our joint force partners and allies to win the fight of the future.”
The graduates included members of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserve and represented both the intermediate and senior in-residence classes—the College of Naval Warfare and the College of Naval Command and Staff. 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, NWC is the oldest institution of its kind in the world. More than 75,000 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.
You can watch the graduation on NWC YouTube channel here: March 2022 NWC Graduation