NEWPORT, R.I – U.S. Naval War College (NWC) graduated 74 Navy, Marine Corps and Army officers during a graduation ceremony held in the school’s Spruance Auditorium, Feb. 28.
The graduates from the College of Naval Warfare (CNW) received master’s degrees in national security and strategic studies while graduates of the College of Naval Command and Staff (CNCS) received master’s degrees in defense and strategic studies – both accredited by the New England Association for Schools and Colleges.
The two programs have coursework in joint military operations, strategy and policy, and national security decision making, which are designed to prepare students to think strategically, critically and operationally.
The senior-level CNW course graduated 24 officers and the intermediate-level CNCS course graduated 50 officers.
“You have all accomplished quite a bit,” said Army Col. Joseph McGraw, professor of joint-military operations at NWC and the graduation guest speaker. “You have every right and reason to be proud of where you’re sitting and what you’ve accomplished.
“Embrace your new assignment; think independently without waiting for direction. Use this time you’ve had to think, reflect and reason and apply the lessons you’ve learned both here at the college and throughout the course of your careers. The joint force needs your ideas and needs your better arguments.”
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 of Arts degree. 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.