NEWPORT, R.I. – Thirty-four joint military and civilian students graduated from U.S. Naval War College's (NWC) Maritime Advanced Warfighting School (MAWS), Sept. 3, during a graduation ceremony held in McCarty Little Hall.
Established in 1998 as a chief of naval operations-directed curriculum, MAWS is a 13-month advanced warfighting program that imparts naval and joint planning skills to selected active-duty officers for follow-on assignment to fleet, service component and joint operational staffs.
“[You are] the 18th group to graduate from this advanced warfighting school," said NWC provost Lewis M. Duncan. “You were selected to participate because you possess the requisite experience and expertise, career timing, and because of the professional potential which you show to achieve the very best results from your education here at Naval War College and MAWS curriculum.”
For the graduating class of 24 Navy, four Air Force and four Marine officers and, for the first time in the program’s history, two government civilians, MAWS was a thought-provoking and time-intensive program that required them to build upon past experiences in a complex and ever-changing environment.
“One of the greatest opportunities of being a part of the MAWS program was learning how to plan operationally and think critically,” said Maj. Lisa M. Corley, an Air Force intelligence officer assigned to Staff, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. “The Air Force does things a little bit differently in terms of the operational planning process. Knowing and understanding how the rest of my community is going to be looking at that will enable me to further that process.
“It was also a good opportunity to kind of work on my ability to articulate what I believe is the right course of action, through writing or through the spoken word. That was a goal of mine [coming into the program].”
In a journey that began in August 2014, students completed core courses in theater security decision making, strategy and warfare and joint maritime operations, as well as three electives tailored to combined arms tactics, operations and planning foundations. Students also completed a three-month capstone planning project in direct support of Navy and joint operational commanders.
“You are the defining graduates of a college representing the 21st century,” said Duncan. “You are officers who we have prepared well who can meld the creativity and flexibility demanded by our very fast-changing world with an implementation strategy of experience and proven theories of our curriculum, so that you can become the true innovators needed to preserve our nation’s security, our values, and our interests.”
With this year's graduating class, the MAWS program now has 391 graduates worldwide.
MAWS graduates earn a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies, the NWC diploma, Joint Professional Military Education Phase I certification, and designation as a joint operational planner.
Graduates are assigned to operational planner tours, either immediately or following warfare community assignments.