Naval War College
Quick Summary
The U.S. Naval War College (NWC) is the oldest military institution in the United States, established in 1884 in Newport, Rhode Island. It offers advanced professional military education to senior officers, Department of Defense civilian employees, and foreign military officials. The NWC's mission is to improve the professional education of the highest levels of military leadership and apply lessons learned during war.1
Founded by Commodore Stephen B. Luce, the college was envisioned as a place for senior officers to study strategy and tactics based on historical examination. Its curriculum grants graduates a diploma or a Master of Arts degree in national security and strategic studies. The NWC gained international recognition through the writings of its successor, Alfred Thayer Mahan, whose work influenced global policy at the beginning of the 20th century. The college also became an internationally recognized center for war planning and military operations through its war-gaming program, introduced in 1887.1
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