Maritime Operational Planners Course

Vice Adm. Bruce Lindsey graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and was designated a naval flight officer in 1983. He is a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College and the Navy’s nuclear power program. Lindsey holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, and earned a doctorate in public policy from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.

Rear Adm. Kenneth Whitesell is a native of Stuarts Draft, Virginia, and graduated from Old Dominion University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He received his commission from aviation officer candidate school in February 1985 and earned his naval aviation wings in October 1986. He is a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College and the Naval War College with a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies.

President Trump announced the nomination of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, replacing current Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford when his term expires in October 2019. General Mark A. Milley assumed duty as the 39th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army August 14, 2015, after most recently serving as the 21st Commander of U.S. Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. General Milley’s education includes a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Princeton University and masters degrees from Columbia University (International Relations) and from the U.S. Naval War College (National Security and Strategic Studies). He is also a graduate of the MIT Seminar XXI National Security Studies Program.

Vice Adm. Chas Richard is a native of Decatur, Alabama, and is a 1982 graduate with honors from the University of Alabama. He has earned master's degrees with honors from the Catholic University of America and the Naval War College. Richard previously served as the deputy commander, U.S. Strategic Command.

Vice Adm. Bill Merz is a native of San Diego, California. He is a 1986 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering. He has since earned master’s degrees from The Catholic University of America and U.S. Naval War College.

Adm. Phil Davidson is the 25th Commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), America’s oldest and largest military combatant command, based in Hawai’i. Prior to becoming CDRUSINDOPACOM on May 30, 2018, he served as the commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command/Naval Forces U.S. Northern Command. He previously served as the commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, and the commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, while simultaneously serving as the deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Naval Forces Africa. He is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval War College. He has a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies, and a Bachelor of Science in Physics.

Vice Adm. Lisa Franchetti is a native of Rochester, New York. She received her commission in 1985 through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program at Northwestern University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. She also attended the Naval War College and holds a master’s in organizational management from the University of Phoenix. On March 1, 2018 Vice Adm. Franchetti assumed command of U.S. 6th Fleet. Her operational tours include auxiliaries officer and first division officer on USS Shenandoah (AD 44); navigator and jumboization coordinator on USS Monongahela (AO 178); operations officer on USS Moosbrugger (DD 980); combat systems officer and chief staff officer for Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2; executive officer of USS Stout (DDG 55); and assistant surface operations officer on USS George Washington Strike Group. She commanded USS Ross (DDG 71) and DESRON-21, embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). She also served as commander of Pacific Partnership 2010, embarked on USNS Mercy (T-AH 19).

The chief of staff of the Army has announced that U.S. Naval War College alumnus Brig. Gen. Alfred F. Abramson III has been assigned as program executive officer, ammunition and commanding general, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey.

Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson announced that Rear Adm. Curt Copley will be assigned as deputy chief of staff, Intelligence, Resolute Support and deputy director, Intelligence - Plans, U.S. Forces, Kabul, Afghanistan. Copley graduated with highest distinction from the College of Naval Command and Staff.

Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson announced that Rear Adm. Jeffrey W. Hughes will be assigned as commander, Navy Personnel Command; and deputy chief of Naval Personnel, Millington, Tennessee. He graduated with distinction from the Naval War College, receiving a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies.