College of Distance Education

Professor Paul Rasmussen joined the U.S. Naval War College at Monterey faculty in 2022 after a 28-year military career. During his career, he served as a naval aviator flying primarily the F/A-18C Hornet, as well as the Super-Etendard Modernized (SEM) with the French Navy embarked on the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. After receiving a degree in national security and strategic studies in 2012, he served on the faculty in Newport teaching National Security Affairs in both the junior and senior courses. He also has taught an elective in Newport on Southeast Asia security.

Adjunct Professor Ross Coffey starting teaching College of Distance Education coursework in the fall of 2022 following his terminal assignment as USNWC Military Professor. Commissioned in 1994 as an infantry officer, he is the veteran of combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan and operational deployments in Kosovo and Mali. He has commanded multiple infantry formations as a company grade officer and as a lieutenant colonel. Later, he has served as a Joint Operations Planner in the U.S. Africa Command Directorate of Strategy, Engagement and Programs, earning joint qualification. Post-military, Ross contractually supports the State Department in its management of foreign assistance.