NWC Graduates Maritime Advanced Warfighting School Class

From Naval War College Public Affairs

NEWPORT, R.I. (NNS) -- The Naval War College (NWC) completed its 13th advanced warfighting school class with the graduation of 27 students in Newport, R.I., Sept. 8.

The Maritime Advanced Warfighting School (MAWS) is 13 months long and provides officers in the ranks of lieutenant commander and major with planning knowledge and extensive skills in leadership and advanced war-fighting for follow-on assignments to operational planner billets.

Capt. Pat Molenda, MAWS director, said the Navy offers the class so officers can immediately step into critical operational planner billets.

"There are approximately 150 such specially-designated billets on operational staffs," said Molenda. "In a 21st century of complicated threat and opportunity, joint, Navy component, and numbered fleet commanders increasingly require officers who are warfare proven, skilled in operational planning, and know how to apply maritime power effectively. Such skills are essential in an environment of exceptional speed and complexity — officers must develop them through practical experience built upon a solid educational foundation. MAWS is that foundation."

This year's graduates were selected in spring 2009 and commenced studies in August 2009. The class included three Army, 16 Navy, three Marines, one Coast Guardsman and four Air Force Airmen.

"This has been a great year to meet people from each branch of the military and learn how the other services function," said Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Mark Walsh. "I've built relationships here which will last a lifetime, and I've developed skills that will serve me well at my new command in Colorado Springs, Colorado."

Other graduates applauded the high caliber of instruction and professionalism they found at NWC.

"The MAWS experience has allowed me to make the transition from a tactical-level thinker to an operational-level thinker," said Lt. Cmdr. Ryan Anderson, whose next assignment will be in a combatant commander logistics position with U.S. Strategic Command J4. "The well-rounded instruction in logistics that I've received at the War College has prepared me thoroughly for new responsibilities."

Army National Guard Maj. Mike Manning, who serves in the Rhode Island National Guard and is the first Army National Guard officer to complete MAWS, found the experience to be uniquely motivating and satisfying.

"The Naval War College and MAWS has been a fantastic experience for me and my family," Manning said. "I've also had the opportunity to work alongside the best people I've ever met. After graduation I'll be back at the National Guard and serve as their legislative liaison and strategic planner."

From August 2009 to June 2010, the students attended the Naval Command and Staff resident intermediate curriculum of National Security Decision Making, Strategy and Warfare, and a tailored 17-week trimester of Joint Maritime Operations. The students also completed three directed electives addressing Operational Art and Doctrine, Navy Planning Process in the Joint Force Maritime Component Commander (JFMCC) Environment, and Joint Force Commander Planning Considerations.

During the final three months of the program, the students developed and authored formal concept plans in direct support of two forward-deployed naval operational commanders.

MAWS graduates receive the Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies, the Naval War College diploma, Joint Professional Military Education Phase I certification and qualification designation as operational planners.

The Navy graduates represent naval aviation, information operations, intelligence, submarine, supply and surface warfare communities. The 10 Navy graduates will proceed directly to operational planner billets; the other six will accomplish warfare community progression tours followed by operational planner assignments. The 11 non-Navy graduates will proceed to planner and warfare community tours as directed by their chiefs of service.

The 27 graduates joined 195 officers (139 Navy and 56 from other services) who graduated in the first 12 advanced warfighting school classes from 1999 through 2009. This growing cadre of leaders represents a new, multiservice expertise in planning and execution of joint operations with naval emphasis.

MAWS class 2011, comprising 20 Navy and 12 officers from other services, commenced studies in August 2010 and will graduate in September 2011.