The U.S. Naval War College (NWC) celebrated its in-residence summer graduation onboard Naval Station Newport, June 14.
Graduates consisted of 332 students from in-resident senior-level leadership and intermediate-level leadership courses including 93 international students. Also included were 462 students having completed coursework through NWC’s College of Distance Education (CDE) programs, 90 of whom attended the graduation in person. Graduates represented all branches of the U.S. armed forces, more than 30 federal agencies and departments, and 58 partner and allied nations.
Retired U.S. Navy Admiral and former Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Scott Swift, gave the commencement address, sharing lessons learned from his time as a student at NWC.
Retired U.S. Navy Admiral and former Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Scott Swift and U.S. Naval War College President, Rear Admiral Peter A. Garvin.
“While standing on the foundation of practical experience and expertise in the science of war, you must also master the art of warfare,” said Swift. “Tap back into what you have learned here. I am confident if you remain guided by your experience here at the Naval War College, you will find it as professionally rewarding as I have.”
Swift also reminded graduates that to “lead successfully in an unstable and uncertain world,” they must get out of their comfort zones, embrace risk, think strategically, remain humble and practice vulnerability.
Distinguished graduates of the college included Col. Alexander E. Goodno, U.S. Marine Corps, recipient of the Stephen B. Luce Award and Maj. Grace A. Butler, U.S. Space Force, recipient of the William S. Sims Award.
Ceremony proceedings also recognized several additional students recognized for outstanding academic achievements, including 19 in-resident students who graduated with highest distinction, having ranked among the top 5% of their graduating class, and 52 students with distinctions, having ranked among the top 15%.
The U.S. Naval War College (NWC) celebrated its in-residence summer graduation onboard Naval Station Newport, June 14.
At the ceremony’s end, Rear Adm. Peter A. Garvin, president of NWC, charged students to model the unwavering commitment to principle and integrity displayed by Admiral Raymond Spruance, the college’s 26th president from 1946.
“As you move forward, let integrity be your compass,” Garvin stated. “In every decision you make and every action you take, uphold the highest standards of honesty and ethics. For your integrity will earn you the respect and trust of those you lead and will be the foundation upon which you build lasting and meaningful change.”
NWC students participate in a one-year graduate-level program that accommodates either in-resident or distance learning status. They earn Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) credits and either a diploma or a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies or Defense and Strategic Studies. Graduates comprise U.S. and international officers in the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and various U.S. civilian government employees.
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 10 percent of these alumni have become chief of their country’s respective navy.
Today, 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.
Photos of the graduation ceremony are available on Flickr.
27 сен 2024
