Secretary of the Navy Addresses Naval War College 2025 Graduates

NEWPORT, RI— In his first visit to the professional military education institution, Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan delivered the commencement address at the U.S. Naval War College’s (NWC) summer graduation ceremony onboard Naval Station Newport, June 13.

NEWPORT, R.I. -- Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan delivers the commencement address during a U.S. Naval War College (NWC) commencement ceremony June 13, 2025, on board Naval Station Newport. The ceremony celebrated 273 students graduating from in-resident senior and intermediate graduate level courses, including 96 international students, and 720 completing coursework through NWC’s College of Distance Education (CDE). Established in 1884, NWC is the oldest institution of its kind in the world. More than 50,000 students have graduated since its first class of nine students in 1885 and about 300 of today’s active-duty admirals, generals and senior executive service leaders are alumni. Since creating a program for international officers in 1956, the college has more than 4,500 international alumni from 137 countries worldwide. Approximately 10 percent of these alumni have become chief of their country’s respective navy. Today, NWC continues to deliver excellence in education, research, and outreach, informing today’s decision-makers and educating tomorrow’s leaders. (U.S. Navy photo by Kristopher Burris/Released)

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