NEWPORT, RI – The U.S. Naval War College’s (NWC) College of Maritime Operational Warfare (CMOW) hosted its Executive Level Operational Level of Warfare Course (ELOC), a series focused on improving combat readiness for U.S. maritime forces operating globally, onboard Naval Station Newport, June 8-12.
The event brought together active and reserve component officers from naval and joint commands and civilians representing DoD organizations from across the globe to address educational needs identified for senior staff officers assigned to U.S. Navy maritime operations centers (MOC).
“This course assists high-performing, successful tactical leaders make the transition to the operational level of war,” said retired Vice Adm. P. Gardner Howe III, former president of NWC and current CMOW professor. “Graduates of the course leave Newport better prepared to lead fleet staffs and MOCs.”
ELOC course participants included 24 senior naval officers representing U.S. 2nd Fleet, 3rd Fleet, 4th Fleet, 7th Fleet, 10th Fleet, U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Military Sealift Command (MSC), Navy Warfare Development Center (NWDC), Marine Air-Ground Task Force Staff Training Program (MSTP), and U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM).
Providing a comprehensive approach to how maritime staffs must proactively translate a commander’s vision and guidance into actions in complex operational environments, ELOC supports the Navy by improving the capability of its officers to lead maritime, joint, and multinational forces. The course also includes classified discussions with current numbered fleet commanders to offer insights into today’s global security challenges.
“ELOC represents a critical part of our college’s mission to educate and train senior officers in the theory and execution of the operational level of war from fleet MOCs,” said Rear Adm. Pete Garvin, president of NWC. “NWC is producing the leaders who are currently commanding and controlling maritime forces in the most complex and volatile areas around the globe – fighting the Houthis in the Red Sea, supporting our NATO Allies in Europe, and safeguarding freedom of navigation and the international rules-based order in the Pacific.”
The one-week course represents the second of three iterations offered throughout the academic year - spring, summer, and winter - to ensure that students understand the intricacies of managing a MOC and its resources.
Sean Henseler, J.D., director of CMOW’s Executive Level Education courses, offered that the course was designed to offer current and future MOC executive-level leaders exposure to a wide range of key topics and subject matter experts to help them better understand their role as operational level warfighters on MOC staffs.
The event ended with the recognition of retired Vice Adm. Barry Costello, a long-standing member of the CMOW team, for more than 50 years of service to the Navy and the Nation, 17 of which were spent educating and developing leaders at NWC. During his tenure at the college, Costello facilitated over 50 courses and mentored more than 305 international and 915 U.S. senior military officers.
“The impact you’ve had over your over five decades of service cannot be overstated,” said Garvin. “Our college, Navy, and Nation, along with our many international Allies, partners, and friends, cannot thank you enough.”
NWC delivers excellence in education, research, and outreach, informing today’s decision-makers and educating tomorrow’s leaders. The college provides educational experiences and learning opportunities that develop students’ ability to anticipate and prepare strategically for the future, strengthen the foundations of peace, and create a decisive warfighting advantage.