Advanced Strategist Program

The Advanced Strategist Program (ASP) is a specialized track for students skilled in the practice of formulating, developing, and executing strategy at various leadership levels in order to fill key billets in Navy, Joint, and high-level political staffs.
An EA-18G Growler assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VFA) 141 lands on the flight deck of the Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

General Information

Eligibility

U.S. Navy resident students are selected and assigned to ASP prior to arrival at U.S. Naval War College (NWC). Sister services may apply for the remaining academic slots for this program.

Location & Duration

The 13-month program is completed in conjunction with the College of Naval Command and Staff curriculum. Students are taught at NWC in Newport, Rhode Island.

Learning Format

Core Courses are primarily seminar format but include lectures, a master's thesis, and strategic planning exercises during the summer.

Outcome

Students in this program are awarded additional credit on top of the master’s degree in Defense and Strategic Studies and JPME I credit. U.S. Naval officers will earn Naval Strategist Subspecialty Code (2300p), U.S. Air Force officers will earn Advanced Study Group credit, and U.S. Army officers will earn the 6z Army Strategist skill identifier.

Program Structure

Ongoing

Professional Paper, Master’s Thesis

Required | Core Course
Students will work on an academic master’s degree-level thesis guided by a principle academic advisor, along with a military faculty member and the ASP director.

Fall Trimester

Theater Security Decision Making

Required | Core Course
The Theater Security Decision Making course educates students on effective decision-making and leadership, focusing primarily at the theater strategic level.

Advanced Strategist Program Course

Required | Elective
Students will be enrolled in a course pertaining to advanced strategy; including national security, economic considerations, and the limitations of seapower.

Winter Trimester

Strategy and War

Required | Core Course
The Strategy and War course examines how the overall strategic environment shapes operational choices and outcomes. It also examines the strategic effects of operations, exploring how battlefield outcomes can change the strategic environment.

Advanced Strategist Program Course

Required | Elective
Students will be enrolled in a course pertaining to advanced strategy; including national security, economic considerations, and the limitations of seapower.

Spring Trimester

Joint Maritime Operations

Required | Core Course
The Joint Maritime Operations course that prepares students on critical and creative problem-solving skills that pertain to decision-making and leadership in the maritime domain.

Advanced Strategist Program Course

Required | Elective
Students will be enrolled in a course pertaining to advanced strategy; including national security, economic considerations, and the limitations of seapower.

Summer Practicum

Leadership in the Profession of Arms

Required | Core Course
This course allows students to recognize their impact on those they lead and enhance their thinking and ethical decision-making for their future leadership roles.

Summer Capstone

Required | Core Course
The summer program offers students the opportunity to apply their academic and practitioner knowledge. Each summer program will be tailored to available opportunities and student interest and can also include travel opportunities.

Incoming Students

Contact Information

Advanced Strategist Program

More Information

Next Steps
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A regional fiscal year 2020 Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Pinning Ceremony was held Sept. 13, at Kay Hall in Naval Station Newport.
A regional fiscal year 2020 Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Pinning Ceremony was held Sept. 13, at Kay Hall in Naval Station Newport. The ceremony officially recognized the promotion of 17 Newport-based CPOs. (U.S. Navy photo by Jaima Fogg/released)