Newport, R.I. – The U.S. Naval War College (NWC) celebrated NWC’s College of Distance Education (CDE) graduation on June 23 with a virtual ceremony for 338 students.
Students from the Naval Command & Staff Online (NC&S) program graduated with a College of NC&S diploma for completing Intermediate Joint Professional Military Education (JPME-I) requirements.
Each class gathered virtually to hear remarks from Rear Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, president, U.S. Naval War College.
“I want to take this time to recognize the extra effort and sacrifices that you have put into earning your joint professional military education. You have dedicated countless hours in the evenings and on weekends to classes, research, reading and writing,” said Chatfield. “The investment that you have made in your own education and development in order to succeed in your profession is admirable. You sacrificed a great deal in your personal lives to take advantage of an opportunity to improve yourself and to improve your organization. For that I commend you and on behalf of the Chief of Naval Operations, I pass great appreciation and thanks.”
Vice Adm. Jeff Hughes, deputy, Chief of Naval Operations for War Fighting Development, was the virtual keynote speaker at the CDE graduation. As a fellow graduate of the College of Distance Education, Vice Adm. Hughes spoke of the graduates’ resilience to balance both work and higher education.
“Over the past year, you have devoted your time and scholarship to think, study and reflect on your role as warfighters, military officers and national security professionals,” said Hughes. “You serve in a consequential time in our history, as we are in great power competition. Your operational expertise, critical thinking skills, creativity and innovation will be put to the test, and your contribution will be necessary to ensure we retain our war fighting and national security advantages.”
Later, Chatfield challenged the graduates to further their education in the fleet and continue to develop as leaders for a future Navy.
“This is just one part of the continuum of learning that you will engage in throughout your career, and you must continue to invest your energy in your own development not just for yourself and for your future successes, but for those you lead,” said Chatfield. “Never be content to sit comfortably in your own area of understanding or expertise while uncertainty brews around you. Always seek opportunities to use your education and share your ideas and solutions with others to specialties and viewpoints different from your own. This is how you will enable innovative ideas and that is the key to our future success as a Navy and a nation.”
The graduating class represented officers in the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, and a civilian from a federal agency.
The NC&S online program meets the JPME-1 requirements and NWC-program core competencies. The online program engages students in the challenging complexities of the national and theater security environments to facilitate critical thinking. Graduates from the online program receive JPME-I certification.
Established in 1884, U.S. Naval War College is the oldest institution of its kind in the world. More than 75,000 students have graduated since the first class of nine students in 1885, and about 300 of today’s active-duty admirals, generals and senior executive service leaders are alumni.
The U.S. Naval War College informs today’s decision-makers and educates tomorrow’s leaders. NWC provides today’s decision-makers and tomorrow’s leaders with educational experiences and learning opportunities that develop their ability to anticipate and prepare strategically for the future, strengthen the foundations of peace, and create a decisive war fighting advantage.
You can watch the graduations on NWC’s YouTube channel here: CDE Graduation.