Toti, Smith Among Keynote Speakers at U.S. Naval War College’s 75th Current Strategy Forum

William Toti, Performing the Duties of Under Secretary of the Navy, and the 39th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Eric M. Smith were among the keynote speakers at the U.S. Naval War College’s 75th Current Strategy Forum on June 8-9, 2026, in Newport, Rhode Island.

“The Current Strategy Forum is one of many ways the U.S. Naval War College ensures our education program includes the very latest in national priorities and strategy, as well as the realities of what our fighting forces around the world are seeing in today’s operations,” said Rear Adm. Darryl Walker, president of the war college. “Understanding the conflicts taking place right now – as well as the threats our forces may see in the years ahead – has always been a central pillar of the Naval War College curriculum, and the CSF is just one way we strengthen that learning.”

The first Current Strategy Forum was held on May 9, 1949, under the title Round Table Talks, bringing together public servants, senior military leaders, subject matter experts and scholars.

This year’s theme is “The Navy, Maritime Strategy and National Security,” and focuses on the ways and means by which the U.S. can meet the dangers of the current era, marked by great power competition, asymmetric threats and rapid technological change.

Toti, who was the event’s first keynote speaker on the first day of the forum, spent 26 years in the Navy – including tours in command of the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Indianapolis (SSN 697) and Submarine Squadron (SUBRON) 3 – before working in the defense industry and, ultimately, returning to military service in a civilian capacity.

“The complex challenges of this era cannot be met by the Navy alone. Our national security depends on a fully integrated maritime strategy that combines the operational prowess of our naval forces, the innovation of our industrial partners, and the strategic foresight from our academic institutions,” said Toti. “The U.S. Naval War College is central to forging the leaders who can command with clarity across these complex battlespaces.”

Before being named to perform the duties of Under Secretary of the Navy, Toti served as senior advisor to the Deputy Secretary of War. He is also a published author and founder of a Christian ministry for veterans.

“We’re truly honored to have Mr. Toti join us at the Current Strategy Forum this year,” said Walker. “Not only does he have a deep background as an accomplished submarine officer, but vast experience in industry and the halls of the Pentagon. Like no one else, he truly understands the intersection of operations, innovation, intuition, spirituality and commitment to excellence in leadership. His address to the students, faculty and staff at the U.S. Naval War College is among the absolute highlights of our academic year.”

Bookending the forum as the final speaker on the second of two days, Smith addressed the Spruance Hall auditorium audience virtually from Washington, D.C.

“The character of war is changing rapidly, and our adversaries are adapting just as quickly,” Smith said. “Success in future conflict demands intellectual rigor, continuous adaptation, and accelerated modernization. Together with the Navy, we are strengthening our ability to project power from the sea to land and land to sea, ensuring the Navy-Marine Corps Team remains the most agile, versatile, and responsive formation in the Joint Force.”

Prior to taking over as the 39th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, Smith’s nearly 40-year military career included command of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Southern Command, 1st Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and Marine Corps Combat Development Command.

“I want to thank Gen. Smith for taking part in this year’s forum,” Walker said. “As a decorated warfighter at the highest level of our maritime forces, his expertise is invaluable in helping our faculty and staff stay at the vanguard of strategic, operational and tactical thinking as they evaluate and adapt their curriculum. Gen. Smith’s perspective also provides incalculable benefits for the military leaders enrolled here at the war college as students as well – better preparing each and every one of them to return to the fleet more lethal and effective.”

Other speakers and panel participants at the forum included Francis J. Gavin, director of the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies; Toshi Yoshihara of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments; Emily Goldman of the National Security Agency; and Eric Labs of the Congressional Budget Office.

Established in 1884, NWC informs today’s decision-makers and educates tomorrow’s leaders by providing educational experiences and learning opportunities that develop their ability to hedge aggressively, innovate continuously, fight distributively, delegate confidently, and command with clarity within complex battlespaces.