The First Woman to Lead the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island

Rear Admiral Shoshana Chatfield was named president of the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. She will be the first woman to lead the educational institution.

In making the appointment Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer stated that “Rear Admiral Chatfield is a historic choice for the Naval War College. She is the embodiment of the type of warrior-scholar we need now to lead this storied institution as it educates our next generation of leaders.”

Rear Admiral Chatfield is a graduate of Boston University, where she double majored in international relations and French language and literature. She received her commission through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps. She later earned a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University and an educational doctorate from the University of San Diego.

Trained as a helicopter pilot, Rear Admiral Chatfield served in the Western Pacific, Afghanistan, and the Arabian Gulf. From 2001 to 2004, Dr. Chatfield was an assistant professor of political science at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Most recently, she was commander of U.S. Naval Forces in the Mariana Islands in the northern Pacific Ocean.

The U.S. Naval War College was founded in 1884 as “a place of original research on all questions relating to war and to statesmanship connected with war, or the prevention of war.” More than 50,000 students have graduated since its first class of nine students in 1885 and about 300 of today’s active duty admirals, generals and senior executive service leaders are alumni.