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.