The
Naval War College (
NWC or
NAVWARCOL) is the
staff college and "Home of Thought" for the
United States Navy in
Newport, Rhode Island. The NWC educates and develops leaders, supports defining the future Navy and associated roles and missions, supports combat readiness, and strengthens global maritime partnerships. The current president is Rear Admiral
P. Gardner Howe, III, a 1984 graduate of the
U.S. Naval Academy. He previously commanded Naval Special Warfare Unit Three in Bahrain, Naval Special Warfare Group Three in San Diego, and Special Operations Command, Pacific in Hawaii. He is the first Navy
SEAL officer to serve as president of the Naval War College.