The 81st graduating class of the Naval War College (NWC) Monterey partnership with NPS for Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) celebrated the completion of their studies during a ceremony on the NPS campus, Dec. 12, 2019.  Through the partnership, 5,544 officers have earned this certification since the program’s inception in September 1999. 

Professor Fred Drake, Associate Dean and Chairman of NWC Monterey, Professor Dave Overton, Associate Chair and JMO Professor, and Professor Joyce Sampson, S&W Professor of NWC Monterey presided over the ceremony where 92 U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Army officers earned their NWC Command and Staff diploma with JPME Phase I certification.

“As graduates you can now reflect on your command & staff diploma, and the opportunity to earn in it a unique environment,” said Drake.  “The NPS campus has provided you with both acculturation to the joint force, as well as academic synergy. In other words, you’ve not only learned about the profession of arms with officers from different services and military specialties – you’ve also discussed the myriad of issues and concepts within our program with colleagues pursuing degrees throughout a range of academic disciplines. You’ve completed a major milestone in your careers, and we celebrate and honor that today.”