Naval War College 'Breaks the Ice' with Arctic Security Elective

From U.S. Naval War College Public Affairs

NEWPORT, R.I. (NNS) -- Students and faculty assigned to U.S. Naval War College's (NWC) inaugural Arctic Security class participated in the Arctic Strategy and Policy Seminar (ASPS) at NWC in Newport, Rhode Island, May 21-22.

The seminar serves as the capstone event for the Arctic Security course, providing an opportunity to educate and develop leaders and help define the future Navy and its associated roles and missions in the Arctic.

"The capstone seminar provided an amazing opportunity to engage with expert U.S. Arctic officials," said Lt. Cmdr. Jamy Brasfield, a NWC student. "The last 10 weeks has allowed me to gain a deeper appreciation for the many unique challenges of operating at the tactical and operational levels and the myriad of issues effecting strategic thinking in the Arctic."

The two-day event stimulated strategic thinking among U.S. officials about complex risks, potential threats, and U.S. interests in the Arctic, and giving students an opportunity to present solution proposals and receive direct feedback from real-world Arctic policy-makers.

"Thinking through challenging scenarios and possible alternative futures in the Arctic out to 2065 prompted us to reflect on current plans and polices, and the connections between long-term end-states and near-term requirements in the Arctic," said Lt. Cmdr. Brandon Kraser, event participant and Arctic planner at Joint Task Force Alaska.

The seminar provided an effective forum to help shape the Navy's thinking in the Arctic and inform current and future initiatives that support implementation of the U.S. Navy's Arctic Roadmap released this past February.

"The ASPS was a worthy culmination to an important course," said Lt. Cmdr. Russell Meier, Arctic portfolio administrator for U.S. Fleet Forces Command. "Student presentations and the event in general generated robust debate that will both inform Navy component commanders and the Navy's numbered fleet commanders identify and plan for emerging operational requirements in the Arctic."

The Arctic Security course is currently offered to NWC students as an elective and marks the beginning of an emerging field of study that will help the Navy over the long-term. Six Navy officers and four international officers from Canada, Norway and Denmark, completed the course in its first offering May 2014.

"This will foster an active and growing community of joint and naval leaders charged with planning and operating in the Arctic today and in the future," said Walter Berbrick, a NWC professor and director, Arctic Regional Studies Group.