Newport, R.I - The U.S. Naval War College (NWC) opened its 2021-2022 academic school year with a convocation ceremony Aug. 4 welcoming 525 students from the U.S. armed forces, civilian national security agencies and militaries of U.S. partner nations.
“I am honored to stand in front of you today as we celebrate this time-honored tradition of convocation ceremony to mark the beginning of your new academic chapter,” said Rear Admiral Shoshana Chatfield, president of the U.S. Naval War College.
Chatfield went on to discuss the how NWC will challenge students throughout the next academic year.
“This year will fortify your knowledge of history, which can prepare each of us to understand the context and the challenges we will face tomorrow, and we will also consider important issues facing our global security today and in the future," she said. “The diversity of the people sitting in this room today is one of our greatest advantages. We are all unique and represent our different services, professional backgrounds, races, ethnicities and genders, and we all deserve to be acknowledged and appreciated for who we are and what we bring to this community.”
She later added how the students will develop intellectually at the Naval War College.
“Over the next year, you will grow in ways that you have not thought possible. You will leave this college with the courage to be bold, unafraid of change, strengthened by the knowledge of centuries of study and ready to rise to the challenges that you will face in the future,” said Chatfield.
At the end of her remarks, she declared that NWC is open for the 2021-2022 academic year.
“As the 57th president of the United States Naval War College, it is my distinct honor and duty to declare the 2021-2022 academic year officially in-session,” said Chatfield.
This year's convocation ceremony was split into two sessions between the in-residence senior leadership course and the in-residence intermediate leadership course due to COVID-19 restrictions. The incoming resident class is comprised of members from the Navy, Army, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard as well as federal civilian and international students who are embarking on a 10-month graduate course.
Students from 69 nations will attend NWC for the 2021-2022 academic year.
Two weeks ago, NWC hosted their student orientation July 27-29, which was focused on students attending the senior leadership course and the intermediate leadership course.
The new student orientation is a multiday event designed to prepare students for the upcoming NWC experience. Orientation provided students with the opportunity to meet the college leadership team and learn about your upcoming academic year and student life in Newport, Rhode Island.
The convocation and student orientation constitutes a key component of the in-residence program at NWC. NWC features a one-year graduate-level program that graduates about 600 resident students each year. Students 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.