U.S. Naval War College Begins 2025-2026 Academic Year

NEWPORT, R.I. - The U.S. Naval War College (NWC) began its 2025-2026 academic year with two ceremonies held onboard Naval Station Newport, Aug. 4-5.

The first event, NWC’s annual Cloister ceremony, welcomed more than 300 faculty members from the college’s in-resident and distance education programs to celebrate faculty accomplishments and introduce new faculty members to their peers. NWC Provost retired U.S. Army Col. Stephen J. Mariano, Ph.D., delivered remarks to new and returning faculty, discussing how their work directly supports Navy and Joint Force priorities.

"We are not just returning to classrooms; we are returning to purpose.” Mariano said.

During Cloister, 10 faculty members were recognized and presented awards for superior achievements in teaching and research related to their specific disciplines.

Cmdr. Ryan Clarke, Joint Military Operations (JMO) department, received the Vice Admiral T.R. Weschler Award for Inspirational Teaching. The award recognizes a NWC military professor who uniquely combines superior professional competence, creative imagination, and unbridled enthusiasm.

Professor Paul Bloch, College of Distance Education (CDE), received the Distinguished Fleet Service Award for superior service as a Fleet Professor in the College of Distance Education’s Fleet Seminar Program at the Center for Naval Analysis in Arlington, VA.

Professor Steve Fuller, Strategic Operational Research department (SORD), received the Faculty Award for Excellence in Service for providing excellent service to NWC and the greater community.

Associate Professor Joe McGraw, JMO department, received the Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching for providing a superb academic environment and educational experience for his students.

Professor Yvonne Chiu, CDE, received the Faculty Award for Excellence in Research for distinguishing herself by formulating critical questions, investigating key data resources, and synthesizing and sharing innovative ideas.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Frankie Matisek, National Security Affairs (NSA) department, received the Military Faculty Award for Excellence in Service for providing excellent service throughout NWC and the greater community.

Cmdr. Dan Post, Strategy and Policy department, received the Military Faculty Award for Excellence in Research, distinguishing himself by formulating critical questions, investigating key data resources, and synthesizing and sharing innovative ideas.

Professor Rob Gardner, Maritime Advanced Warfighting School; Professor John Garofano, Strategy and Policy department; and Professor Rick Norton, NSA department, were also awarded with the designation of Professor Emeritus.

The ceremony also recognized 40 additional faculty members who contributed significantly to student learning, 35 who published notable works and those promoted based on excellence in teaching, research and service.

Cloister also welcomed 45 new faculty members joining the college for the first time.

Following Cloister, NWC held its annual Convocation ceremony, welcoming 447 students from all six branches of the U.S. armed forces, U.S. federal government agencies and 42 partner and allied nations.

“I encourage you to challenge not only your own ideas, but also the ideas of those around you,” said NWC President Rear Adm. Darryl Walker in his opening remarks. He also urged students to, over the course of the school year, think about how their lessons will help them face future warfighting challenges.

“Remember, ‘war’ is our middle name.”

Incoming students were also addressed by the Honorable Christopher R. Hill, former U.S. Ambassador to Serbia, Iraq, South Korea, Poland and Macedonia, and a 1994 graduate of NWC, who spoke about adapting to emerging technologies and evolving global security challenges.

“We should embrace complexity,” said Hill. “We have to understand our relationship to things that are changing very fast.”

NWC students work to 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.

Each year, approximately 500 in-resident students graduate, with 60% being selected for command of ships, squadrons and other military units. In the U.S., the college has produced three Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 15 Chiefs of Naval Operations and 13 other service chiefs.

Approximately 200 international students graduate from NWC each year, with 46 currently serving as heads of navies and coast guards around the world. Since the introduction of its International Programs department in 1956, the college has produced more than 1,700 international flag officers and 461 service chiefs.

Established in 1884, NWC is the oldest institution of its kind in the world. The college delivers excellence in education, research, and outreach, informing today’s decision makers, educating tomorrow’s leaders, and engaging partners and allies on all matters of naval power in order to preserve the peace, respond in crisis, and win decisively in war.