OPINION:
Although I enjoyed reading Col. Anderson’s op-ed on the U.S. Naval War College, I do wish it was based on fact and not ignorance (“The Naval University for Conflict Avoidance,” Web, Sept. 5). The Naval War College of course studies and prepares for war. In fact, we have greatly expanded the war-fighting component of our curriculum in the past year, and had Col. Anderson researched his topic rather than seeking mere sensationalism he would have known better.
The college has enhanced war-fighting readiness in the past year by better reflecting our strategic environment through additional war-fighting infusion into the curriculum, increased maritime focus, greatly strengthened war-gaming, greater emphasis on near-peer competitors and the creation of an institute for future warfare studies.
Of course the Naval War College should also strive to be the best university of its kind, and diversity of opinion, academic freedom and quality faculty are at the heart of any good university. It is through these things that our graduates are imbued with the critical-thinking skills that enable them to offer the best military advice, be it war-fighting or an understanding of the military interface with the other elements of national power.
In addition to studying warfare, studying the constructs of peace is actually an important part of our heritage and charter. The Naval War College is indeed, as our founder Adm. Stephen Luce called for, “a place of original research on all questions relating to war and to statesmanship connected with war, or the prevention of war.”
We will continue to do our part to ensure war-fighting readiness, and to achieve our efforts through world-class faculty and education. As it happens, we also do superior research. Since Col. Anderson is a former staff member of the college who should clearly understand our charter and mission, I only wish he had done his research.
REAR ADM. JEFFREY HARLEY
President, U.S. Naval War College
Newport, R.I.
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