When we think of Newport, there is Fort Adams with the folk and jazz festivals, the mansions for touring, the Tennis Hall of Fame, Bowen's Wharf, Tall Ships and the U.S. Naval War College. I know, you don't think of the Naval War College. I had heard of it, but didn't know why it existed in Newport in the first place.
That was until Rear Admiral Roger T. Nolan gave a group of us a tour of the facilities last evening. It is a truly amazing place steeped in history dating back to the civil war and graced by the presence of some very significant figures over the years. Admiral Nolan is a man who loves his job as head of the War College Foundation to support the institute and is a decorated service man who worked most recently between several branches of government in the Iraq conflict.
The school was originally headed by a Commodore Luce, and was expanded during the Presidency of Teddy Roosevelt. The main goal was for the advancement of war planning.
However, the mission has changed significantly since its early days. Now, it not only trains folks from all branches of our government, but it also conducts a session for world leaders. This past week heads of defense agencies from 47 different countries graduated from the curriculum which now stresses how to work together to avoid war by building rapport. So, if we can get more people to understand the importance of peaceful coexistence, perhaps we can minimize future conflicts.
Oh, by the way, they have a naval museum and do give tours of the facility, which I believe you need to request ahead of time, and the place provides one of the most fantastic views of Narragansett Bay that I have ever seen.
