NEWPORT, R.I. – For the second year, U.S. Naval War College (NWC) is hosting a series of academic lectures designed for the spouses of staff, faculty, students and all other military spouses in the region wishing to attend.
The lecture series, titled "Issues in National Security," was developed in response to requests from spouses and will be held every other Tuesday, from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. in Spruance Auditorium on campus.
"Spouses wanted to get a better look at the issues and topics being taught at the school," said Army Col. Chris Kidd, NWC faculty member who is organizing the lectures. "This series is a great way for spouses to have a more active look at what Naval War College is all about."
This year’s series was kicked off on Jan. 9 with a lecture titled, “100 Years Ago: America and the Great War—Lessons for Today," by John Maurer, Strategy and Policy.
“Last night’s kickoff presentation of the lecture series was a tremendous success,” said Kidd. “Building on last year’s program, John Maurer provided an insightful look at World War I and the tough decisions made by our nation’s leaders to commit the nation to war. More than 100 people were in attendance and now have a better understanding of the complex national security topics taught every day at NWC by the school’s expert faculty.”
Spouses with ordinary base access can proceed directly to the quarterdeck in Conolly Hall at NWC and will be directed to the Spruance Auditorium. Parking will be available in the lot of McCarty-Little Hall which is directly east of Conolly Hall.
Spouses wishing to attend who do not have base access can get on base by contacting Kidd at chris.kidd@usnwc.edu at least two days prior to the lecture they want to see.
Attendees who come to nine or more lectures will presented with a certificate from NWC recognizing their participation.
The academic lectures will cover the following topics:
- Jan. 23: “Looking Outward to the Future: Seeking Solutions Just below the Surface of Naval History in the NWC Curriculum,” by David Kohnen, Hattendorf Center.
- Feb. 6: "U.S. Naval Power in the Pacific," by James Holmes, Strategy and Policy.
- Feb. 20: “A New Nuclear Arms Race?” by David Cooper, National Security Affairs.
- Mar. 6: "Civil-Military Relations," by Lindsay Cohn and Jessica Blankshain, National Security Affairs.
- Mar. 20: “Why Russia Lost the Cold War,” by Sally Paine, Strategy and Policy.
- Apr. 3: "Robotics / Unmanned Systems," by John Jackson, College of Distance Education.
- Apr. 24: “Feral Cities,” by Rick Norton, National Security Affairs.
- May 8: “The North Korea Problem: Solve or Manage?” by Terry Roehrig, National Security Affairs.
- May 22: "Humanitarian Assistance / Disaster Response," by Dave Polatty and Tony Fox, College of MaritimeOperational Warfare.