Command Master Chief (SS/SW) Mike Bruner and Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Raymond James became the first enlisted graduates of the prestigious Naval War College Nov. 16 in a ceremony at the college campus in Newport.
In a dramatic shift in admission policy, the Naval War College welcomed the newest graduates to its distinguished ranks last fall. For the past year, Bruner and James have been fully integrated as students in the senior-level course, the College of Naval Warfare.
Bruner and James were competitively selected by the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, force master chiefs and senior officials from the Naval War College.
“When we selected these two exceptionally qualified command master chiefs, we selected the best in the fleet,” said Dr. James F. Giblin Jr., provost and dean of academics at the Naval War College. Criteria used in the selection process included potential for service in a joint environment, academic background of the applicant and demonstrated leadership in the senior enlisted ranks.
As Naval War College students, Bruner and James were exposed to a wide range of academic opportunities and seminars, bringing their combined 48 years of enlisted experience to the program.
“These seasoned enlisted leaders brought a new insight and perspective that we did not previously benefit from,” said Dr. Mackubin Owens, professor, Strategy and Force Planning.
The change in Naval War College admission policy is directly linked to the Chief of Naval Operations' (CNO) Guidance for 2004, which called for improving personnel growth and development opportunities, and establishing an enlisted and officer Professional Military Education Continuum.
NAVADMIN 094/05 further outlined Naval War College advantages for Command Master Chiefs. “In order to better empower senior enlisted leaders to serve in both Navy and joint operational assignments, we must provide them with opportunities which will hone their analytical skills and increase understanding of leading change in large, complex organizations that deal with national security.”
This program also supports CNO’s goal of “Better Alignment for Joint Warfare” by giving senior enlisted personnel the opportunity to be exposed to Joint Professional Military Education at the same level as senior officers to more effectively function in the joint arena.
“We expect all of our graduates, including the command master chief graduates, to make a significant contribution to their respective joint and staff assignments,” Giblin said.
Being the first always contains a certain level of pressure and even uncertainty.
“More was expected from us, especially from our own senior enlisted community,” said James. “Through this education, I can now explain to Sailors throughout the fleet what our country is doing and how we all fit in.”
Joint Task Force Civil Support, a standing joint force at Fort Monroe, Va., will soon welcome James as senior enlisted advisor.
“It was a challenging and competitive academic environment,” said Bruner. “From this experience, I will now look at decision making more analytically and will consider all perspectives and the consequences.”
Bruner will utilize his new education as the command master chief for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea.
“Both command master chiefs performed exceptionally well,” said Dr. John F. Garofano, professor, National Security Affairs. “Other than the fact that I previously knew all the students’ ranks, I was not able to distinguish between the progress of these senior enlisted Sailors and the senior military officers. It was a seamless transition, and rank was not important, or even a factor.”
U.S. military officer students, and even international officers in the same course, all agreed the command master chiefs enhanced the intensive program.
“It was of tremendous value to have these seasoned enlisted professionals in the same academic program,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Chris Coasta. “We now have a better understanding of the top caliber of the enlisted ranks throughout the U.S. military.”
Satisfactory completion of the program leads to a Master of Arts degree in national security and strategic studies.
Founded in 1884, the Naval War College is the nation's oldest military service college.
