U.S. Army War College

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The United States Army War College is a United States Army school located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, on the 500 acre (2 km²) campus of the historic Carlisle Barracks, a military post dating back to the 1770s. It caters to high-level military personnel and civilians and prepares them for strategic leadership responsibilities. It is the U. S. Army's most senior military educational institution.

The War College is a split-functional institution. While a great deal of emphasis is placed on research, students are also instructed in leadership, strategy, and joint-service/international operations.

Approximately 600 students attend at any one time, half in a two-year-long Internet-based program, and the other half in an on-campus program lasting ten months. The college grants its graduates, both civilian and military, a Master's degree in strategic studies.

The Army handpicks most of the students who participate in the residential program, but the student body always includes officers from the other military branches, civilians (from the Pentagon, State Department, and the National Security Agency), and several dozen senior officers from foreign countries. For example, the residential Class of 2004 included:

  • 268 officers from the Army (active, reserve, National Guard), Navy (active, reserve), Air Force (active, reserve, National Guard), Marine Corps (active, reserve) and U.S. Coast Guard;
  • 30 senior civilian employees of the federal government; and
  • 42 officers from other countries.

The average age of students is 45 years old and the typical military rank is Lieutenant Colonel. Army applicants must have already completed the U. S. Army Command and General Staff College.

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[edit] Mission

According to U. S. Army regulation 10-44, the mission of the War College is to "To prepare selected military, civilian, and international leaders for the responsibilities of strategic leadership; educate current and future leaders on the development and employment of landpower in a joint, multinational and interagency environment; conduct research and publish on national security and military strategy; and engage in activities in support of the Army’s strategic communication efforts."

Elihu Root.
Elihu Root.

[edit] History

Established from the principles learned in the Spanish-American War, the College was founded by Secretary of War Elihu Root and formally established by General Order 155 on November 27, 1901. Theodore Roosevelt attended the Masonic laying of the cornerstone on February 21, 1903. The first president of the college was Gen. Tasker H. Bliss. The first students attended the college in 1904, when it was located at Washington Barracks (now called Fort Lesley J. McNair), in Washington, D.C. It remained there until 1940, when the College was closed due to World War II.

It reopened in 1950 at Fort Leavenworth, and moved one year later to its present location.

[edit] Well-known alumni

[edit] See also

Military of the United States Portal

[edit] External links and sources

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