NEWPORT, R.I. – Fifty-six U.S. Navy and Army officers graduated from U.S. Naval War College (NWC) on Nov. 15, during a ceremony held in the school’s Spruance Auditorium in Newport, Rhode Island.
The 12 graduating students in the senior course, the College of Naval Warfare (CNW), received master’s degrees in National Security and Strategic Studies.
The 44 students in the intermediate course, College of Naval Command and Staff (CNCS), received master’s degrees in Defense and Strategic Studies.
Both courses are accredited by the New England Association for Schools and Colleges.
With coursework in national security decision making, strategy and policy, and joint military operations, as well as electives chosen by the students, both programs are designed to prepare students to think critically, operationally and strategically.
The CNW course included 11 Navy students and one from the Army. In CNCS, 38 graduates were Navy and six were Army.
The honor graduate of the CNW course was Cmdr. Jeffrey Palmer, and for the CNCS course it was Lt. Coleman Ward.
In his address to the graduates, U.S. Naval War College President Rear Adm. Jeffrey Harley noted that the graduates are uniquely qualified to serve.
“There is no nation like yours. No military as capable. No skilled thinkers as abundant and war tested as you,” said Harley. “You are the asymmetric advantage that must hold tight to the strained sinews of liberty that echoes in your very soul.”
Harley also stressed to the students that they were fortunate to have been given access to a NWC education.
“This past year of in-residence education is truly a gift from the nation to you,” he said. “As you continue to grow in rank and responsibility, you will find there is no more precious a commodity than time – and you’ve just been given a gift of a year of study, reflection and debate. A gift of time to grow intellectually and prepare for the challenges that wait. Do not take this gift for granted.”
Palmer said he is eager to get to work with his new skills.
“There is so much goodness going on across the college,” said Palmer. “This has been a great experience for me. I am looking forward to putting [this education] into practice.”
Photos of the ceremony can be viewed and download at
http://flic.kr/s/aHskM3ghLs.
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.