Naval War College Review: A History of Naval Scholarship
The Naval War College Review serves as a critical bridge between academic rigor and military application. Established to disseminate strategic knowledge to officers who could not attend formal courses, the publication has evolved from a restricted internal memo to a widely recognized journal of naval scholarship.
The Origins of the Publication
The foundation of the journal began between 1946 and 1948 under the presidency of Admiral Raymond Spruance. During this period, Spruance sought to integrate civilian academic expertise into the Naval War College by establishing a resident civilian faculty of visiting scholars.
Simultaneously, in 1948, Rear Admiral Thomas L. Sprague, the Chief of Naval Personnel, proposed that joint service colleges create lecture reprint series. This initiative aimed to provide essential educational materials to officers unable to attend war college in person. With authorization from the Navy Department, Admiral Spruance launched a periodical to fulfill this need.
First published in October 1948, the journal was originally titled Information Service for Officers. Its debut issue featured a lead article by Vice Admiral Robert B. Carney titled "Logistical Planning for War." At its inception, the publication was classified as "Restricted" and distributed exclusively to individual officers holding the rank of lieutenant commander, major, or higher, with an initial circulation of 3,000 copies.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Evolution and Expansion
By its fifth year, the publication's reach had doubled to 6,000 copies and began distribution to major commands. This growth coincided with a rebranding; the title was changed to the Naval War College Review. In December 1953, the security classification was downgraded to "For Official Use Only," a status that remained until September 1964.
A significant shift in editorial direction occurred between 1968 and 1975 under the leadership of Commander Robert M. Laske. Facing a shortage of material, Laske expanded the journal's scope by recruiting contributors from the American Political Science Association and the Inter-University Seminar on the Armed Forces and Society. This decision opened the doors for civilian academics to publish in the journal, greatly diversifying the range of submitted articles.
Key Facts
- Founded: October 1948 as Information Service for Officers.
- Original Reach: 3,000 copies distributed to officers (Lieutenant Commander/Major and above).
- First Lead Article: "Logistical Planning for War" by Vice Admiral Robert B. Carney.
- Classification History: Started as "Restricted," moved to "For Official Use Only" in 1953, and became unclassified in 1964.
- Academic Shift: Civilian academic contributions were integrated between 1968 and 1975.
Editorial Leadership
The journal has been guided by a series of distinguished editors-in-chief who shaped its academic trajectory over the decades.
| Editor | Tenure Period |
|---|---|
| Colonel T. C. Dutton, USMC | Summer 1967 – March 1970 |
| Commander Robert M. Laske | Sept/Oct 1972 – May/Jun 1975 |
| Lt. (jg) Jeffrey P. Bacher (Interim) | Summer 1975 |
| Lt. Cmdr. B. Mitchell Simpson, III | Fall 1975 – Summer 1977 |
| Commander William R. Pettyjohn | Fall 1977 – July/Aug 1981 |
| Captain F. C. Caswell, Jr. (Interim) | Sept/Oct 1981 |
| Frank Uhlig, Jr. | Nov/Dec 1981 – Sept/Oct 1985 |
| Robert M. Laske | Nov/Dec 1985 – Summer 1988 |
| Frank Uhlig, Jr. | Autumn 1988 – Autumn 1993 |
| Thomas B. Grassey | Winter 1994 – Autumn 2002 |
| Catherine McArdle Kelleher | Spring 2003 – Summer/Autumn 2004 |
| Peter Dombrowski | Winter 2005 – Autumn 2005 |
| Carnes Lord | Winter 2006 – Autumn 2023 |
| Steven P. Stashwick (Managing Editor) | Winter 2024 |
| Jon D. Caverley | Spring 2024 – Winter/Spring 2025 |
| Sam J. Tangredi | Summer/Autumn 2025 – Present |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the original name of the Naval War College Review?
The publication was originally titled Information Service for Officers when it first appeared in October 1948.
Who was the first lead author in the journal?
The first lead article, "Logistical Planning for War," was written by Vice Admiral Robert B. Carney.
When did the journal begin publishing civilian academic work?
Civilian academics began contributing to the journal during the editorship of Commander Robert M. Laske between 1968 and 1975.
How did the security classification of the journal change over time?
It began as "Restricted," was downgraded to "For Official Use Only" in December 1953, and remained under that classification until September 1964.
Why was the publication originally created?
It was created to provide lecture reprints and educational material to officers who were unable to attend war college courses in person.