Blog of Intellectual Capital

Happy Anniversary to the National War College and I am recognizing one of its graduates – Jason Harris Gerbsman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 30, 2021
The National War College Alumni Association Celebrates the National War College on 75th Year
Throughout the 2021-2022 academic year, the National War College Alumni Association in conjunction with The National War College will offer a series of lectures, exercises, interactive exchanges on National strategy, regional challenges, and the instruments of power and changing aspects of war and global competition.
2021 marks the 75th Anniversary of the National War College (NWC) in Washington, DC at Ft McNair. The College offers a unique course on national security strategy, joint operations and the tools of statecraft to prepare senior national security officials for higher levels of responsibility in service to America’s global leadership. This remarkable institution, little known outside of military circles and a few government agencies reflects the vision of post WWII leaders, especially General Dwight Eisenhower, General John DeWitt, General Hap Arnold and General George Marshall.   

The War College occupies Roosevelt Hall, a historic landmark, a majestic imperial style building that had been the home to the Army War College since 1907 when Roosevelt Hall opened. President T. Roosevelt informally dedicated Roosevelt Hall and was the major factor in establishing the Army War College, and after WW II Roosevelt Hall became the home of the National War College. 

The mission of the College was:* Preparing selected personnel of the armed forces and other governmental departments for the exercise of joint high-level policy, command and staff functions, and for the performance of strategic planning duties in their respective departments* Promoting the development of understanding of those agencies of government and those factors of power potential which are an essential part of a national war and peace effort.

The purpose of the College was captured in a letter from Admiral Halsey to Congressman Clifton A Woodman, Chairman of the Committee on Post War Military Policy. ADM Halsey felt the college should produce officers, “wise and trained” to minister the National Policy. He felt the United States needed officers who “understand the causes of war and conflict, who understand the fundamentals of our aims and ideals, who understand the interrelation of international policies, internal politics, trade and finance and the true significance of military power.”
Today NWC is still true to this mission and purpose, the College continues to focus on “grand national strategy and the utilization of the national resources necessary to implement that strategy.” Graduates of the College include an extensive list of accomplished National leaders, including Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs, Ambassadors, Assistant Secretaries, Four Star Flag Geographic Commanders, such as Secretary of State Colin Powell, GEN Martin Dempsey, Air Force Chief of Staff GEN Mark Welsh, Secretary of Defense James Mattis, GEN John Allen, President of the Brookings Institution, White House Chief of Staff, Gen John Kelly.

NWC Alumni we will seek your valuable opinions, participation, and impact of NWC has had in a follow-on letter of interest. Watch for a survey soon. 

For further information about a year long programs and events, the NWC history, and occasions to recognize NWC impact and national security leaders, please contact; Ike Puzon, Executive Director, puzon.ike@nationalwarcollege.org, 301-266-4786.