U.S. Naval War College Publishes Second Edition of ‘Sailors and Scholars’

NEWPORT, R.I. – The U.S. Naval War College (NWC) released the second volume of “Sailors and Scholars: The History of the U.S. Naval War College, 1884-2009,” a comprehensive history of NWC, Nov. 21.

The Sailors and Scholars duology brings the history of NWC into the modern era. The institution has left its mark on maritime strategy and the naval profession in the United States for over 125 years and the most recent volume contains chronological appendices listing significant events, NWC leaders, and distinguished graduates.

Both volumes were written by NWC Special Research Advisor Prof. John B. Hattendorf, who also served as the Ernest J. King Professor Emeritus of Maritime History at NWC from 1984 to 2016. Hattendorf emphasized the importance of recording the college’s history.

“History keeps going, especially when you have an institution like this,” Hattendorf said. “Things are always changing with new ideas and innovations. People wanted to record what the college had accomplished and tell the rest of the world about it.”

The second volume of Sailors and Scholars covers the time period of 1984 to 2009 and features interviews from every living NWC president and discusses the broad change in strategies seen under their tenures, from the ‘600 ship Navy’ doctrine of the Reagan administration to the current naval doctrines we see today.

“These [volumes] show the continuing impression of the Naval War College on the world,” Hattendorf said. “Sometimes people do not understand what we do over here and these are meant to show the importance of institutions like this and why officers need this kind of education.”

One way the volume details NWC’s importance to modern naval history is by interviewing several of its distinguished honor graduates.

“There have been numerous graduates who’ve gone on to become heads of navies or ambassadors or (chiefs of naval operations),” Hattendorf said. “It shows that NWC contributes not only to our Navy, but to navies all over the world. That reflects the quality of education that the students are getting here.”

There are currently 46 international heads of navies who are NWC graduates. Roughly 10 percent of the international students educated at the institution go on to become the leaders of their nation’s navy.

Hattendorf paraphrased a quote from Adm. Stephen B. Luce, NWC’s first president: “In periods of peace time, you need this kind of education where you can think about things and use them during a time of war.”

The second volume of Sailors and Scholars comprehensively records NWC history until the end of 2009 and gives an epilogue of the college’s major achievements and changes to the modern day.

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 anticipate and prepare strategically for the future, strengthen the foundations of peace, and create a decisive warfighting advantage.