Professional Development

Advanced Flag and Executive Course

The Advanced Flag and Executive Course (AFLEX) is a 3-star and SES-level course chartered by the VCNO and developed and delivered by the CLE team at the Naval War College. The AFLEX course introduces fresh ideas and concepts in a collaborative and interactive format meant to challenge and evolve senior leaders critical and strategic thinking. Through a combination of CLE-delivered exercises and selected guest speakers, the course addresses a range of concepts in leader development, including mental complexity, organizational development, the future of national security, and civil-military relationships. AFLEX is designed to be intellectually challenging and provide time for all attendees to explore these concepts as they consider how to best apply these ideas to the demanding and changing global environment.

Intermediate Flag and Executive Course

The Intermediate Flag and Executive Course (IFLEX) is a 2-star and SES-level course chartered by VCNO and developed and delivered by the CLE team at the Naval War College. IFLEX challenges these senior leaders to think more critically and adaptively as they prepare for positions of increased responsibility and complexity. Through a combination of CLE content, targeted guest speakers, and classroom exercises, attendees will be introduced to emerging and validated concepts and theories in the areas of cognitive development, bias, mental complexity, and critical thinking among others. The course is meant to be intellectually challenging and stimulating as the students are urged to think differently about their new roles and challenge previously held beliefs about their own development and organizational growth.