The Naval War College (NWC) Monterey program for Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) recognized 19 graduates from its latest class for earning academic honors for the 2020 Summer Quarter.

Graduates earning “with Highest Distinction” honors by completing the JPME program in the top five percent of their class are Army Majs. Diego A. Rincon and Christopher T. Yanko, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Robert J. Thompson, Navy Lt. Ian M. Kelly and Marine Corps Capt. Alex J. Pfannenstiel.

Graduates earning “with Distinction” honors by completing the JPME program in the top 15 percent of their class are Army Majs. Michael R. Griffin, Christopher B. Smith, and Gene F. Uhler; Army Cpts. Nicholas J. Grazer, Joshua K. McMillion, and Chummie S. Recel; Navy Lt. Cmdr. Christopher G. Saxton; Navy Lts. Patrick M. Carter, Matthew L. Jackson, John W. Kim, David A. Kramer, and Olivia M. Wittman; Marine Corps Maj. Larry W. Wigington; and, Marine Corps Capt. Brandon R. Hee.

Through the NPS-NWC partnership, a total of 5,812 officers have earned their Joint Professional Military Education Phase I certification since the program’s inception in September 1999.