U.S. Naval War College Holds Maritime Advanced Warfighting School Graduation

NEWPORT, R.I.—The U.S. Naval War College’s (NWC) Maritime Advanced Warfighting School (MAWS) graduated 37 students during a ceremony held onboard Naval Station Newport, Sept. 10, 2026.

The purpose of the course is to teach naval and joint operational planning and leadership skills to selected active-duty officers for follow-on assignment to numbered fleet, service component or joint force operational staffs. MAWS is a peer school of the Army School of Advanced Military Studies, the Marine Corps School of Advanced Warfighting, and the Air Force School of Advanced Air and Space Studies.

“I want to congratulate the graduates of our Maritime Advanced Warfighting School on completing a rigorous and challenging program and returning to the joint force more knowledgeable, capable and effective than ever before,” said Rear Adm. Darryl Walker, president of the war college. “While enrolled in this program, these officers directly supported operational military commanders, developing actionable, multi-layered plans in response to specific, high-priority problem sets. The MAWS program is another example of how the U.S. Naval War College is making a tangible difference with our front-line forces every day.”

The ceremony was the last presided over by Capt. Blake Tornga, NWC MAWS director.

“I want to recognize Capt. Tornga, our MAWS director, for his career of incredible service to this country and for his deep dedication and commitment to mission excellence here at the head of this program,” Walker said. “The Maritime Advanced Warfighting School, the war college and America are all better off because of his service and leadership, and on the occasion of his last graduation as the MAWS director, I thank him and wish him fair winds and following seas, shipmate!”

MAWS students complete an integrated syllabus including: core courses, Theater Security Decision Making, Strategy and Warfare, and an enhanced Joint Maritime Operations course; they also receive additional courses tailored to operational art theory, operational planning process, and major operations/campaigns; and a three-month capstone planning project in direct support of Navy and joint operational commanders. MAWS graduates are awarded with a Master of Arts degree in Defense and Strategic Studies, a NWC diploma, Joint Professional Military Education Phase I certification, and designation as joint operational planners.

The current iteration of MAWS started at NWC in 1998. It follows a 13-month, advanced warfighting curriculum.

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.