Newport, R.I. - The U.S. Naval War College (NWC) honored 272 students from its College of Distance Education (CDE) in a virtual graduation ceremony, March 14.
Students graduated from CDE’s online Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) intermediate-level program and included officers from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and various U.S. civilian government agencies.
“Your charge now is to use the education you have received here to link what you have just learned to how we fight, how you frame problems, how you develop and assess solutions in the future and how you build winning teams,” said Stephen Mariano, Ph.D., provost, NWC. “This is just one part of the continuum of learning throughout your career.”
This CDE graduating class was the first to experience a recently remodeled intermediate program offering students a more robust learning management system and adjustments to exercises, course structure, readings, assessments, and more.
The top five percent of the graduating class were awarded highest distinctions while the top 15% earned distinctions.
Graduates will either continue in their current leadership positions or assume new roles at various staffs around the world, including the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV); U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM); Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI); the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA); U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM); Defense Legislative Fellowship; Defense Logistics Agency (DLA); U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM), and other strategic and operational level commands.At the ceremony’s end, Steven L. Pierce, D.M., interim dean, CDE, reminded students that they were among the newest members of over 100,000 NWC alumni and encouraged them to continue using the resources offered by NWC.
“I strongly encourage you to take advantage of all that the alumni organization offers in lifelong learning opportunities, remain current in naval and maritime affairs, and reconnect with your classmates and professors,” he stated.
CDE’s online program educates students on the fundamentals of military strategy, U.S. national security policy, and joint military operations. The program attracts officers and civilians at the intermediate level in pursuit of greater responsibility, awarding them a JPME I certification at completion. A 46-week-long class starts every three months, and eligible students can enroll here.
Established in 1884, NWC is the oldest institution of its kind in the world. More than 50,000 students have graduated since its first class of nine students in 1885 and about 300 of today’s active-duty admirals, generals and senior executive service leaders are alumni. Since creating a program for international officers in 1956, the college has more than 4,500 international alumni from 137 countries worldwide. Approximately ten percent of these alumni have become chief of their country’s respective navy.
NWC delivers excellence in education, research, and outreach, informing today’s decision-makers and educating tomorrow’s leaders. The college provides educational experiences and learning opportunities that develop students’ ability to anticipate and prepare strategically for the future, strengthen the foundations of peace, and create a decisive warfighting advantage.