Celebrating the Worldwide Accomplishments of US Army War College Alumni

The US Army War College's 10-month curriculum educates senior military and civilian leaders so they can lead at the strategic level and advance knowledge of the global application of Landpower. These graduates, who earn a Masters of Strategic Studies, are skilled problem solvers. They often become worldwide leaders and continue to actively engage in discourse about the role of ground forces in national security objectives. By the time they leave Carlisle Barracks, they are prepared for service in a joint, interagency, intergovernmental, and multinational (JIIM) national security community.

There is an emphasis on strategic leadership development, argumentation, and research to equip accomplished officers and civilians with the ability to apply history, practice, communication, and theory to complex strategic issues. This mission is supported by the efforts of the other institutions located at Carlisle Barracks, including the Center for Strategic Leadership, the Strategic Studies Institute, the Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute, and the Army Heritage and Education Center. Through this collaboration in pursuit of strategic knowledge, graduates go on to become adaptable, innovative, and highly skilled leaders in the United States and abroad.

 
Famous graduates from the US Army War College include General of the Armies John J. Pershing, General George Patton, and 34th President of the United States Dwight D. Eisenhower.
 

U.S. Graduates

On November 1st, 1904, the first War College class of six captains and three majors of the Army and Marine Corps convened. Now, all services are represented and no more than 60% of class graduates are Army. Since its establishment in 1901, the school has closed twice, for World War I and II, and moved twice, from Ft. McNair to Ft. Leavenworth (1950) and then to Carlisle Barracks (1951). Since that first class of 9 graduates, the current resident class averages 380 graduates. A two-year non-resident course was established in 1970 and also averages 380 officers now, serving predominantly in the Army Reserve and National Guard. The curriculum evolved from preparing and mentoring the General Staff to academic and historical studies of war, to understanding post-World War II lessons and pre-empting the Cold War environment, and now is a graduate-level college focused on the strategic level of war to prepare senior leaders. Some notable USAWC graduates are:

Key Leaders

Notable Graduates

 
 

International Hall of Fame Inductees

LT. Gen. DeWitt C. Smith, Jr. is responsible for the International Fellows Program's creation in 1977 with the first graduating class in June of 1978. The first countries to graduate were Australia, Japan, Korea and Germany. In 2010, the number of IF seats doubled from 40 to 80, making the War College the largest body of international fellows among senior service colleges. Since 1978 the USAWC has had over 1,900 international fellows graduate representing 130 countries.

The U.S. Army War College International Fellows Hall of Fame was established in 1988 to honor USAWC IF graduates who have attained the highest positions in their nation's armed forces, or who have held an equivalent position by rank or responsibility in a multinational organization. Qualifications include service as the senior officer in one of their nation's service components and international recognition as having made a significant military or humanitarian contribution to international peace and stability

Most Recent Inductees

Past Inductees

 
 

Outstanding Alumni

The Army War College Foundation sponsors the Outstanding Alumnus Program which recognizes graduates who, after retirement, performed extraordinary service reflecting the values and strategic vision fostered by their Army War College education. More information about the nomination process can be found at www.usawc.org

2021 Outstanding Alumni
  • Gen. Larry R. Ellis, Class of 1986
  • Lt. Gen. Lawson W. Magruder III, Class of 1986
  • Col. Ralph J. Puckett Jr., Class of 1967

2020 Outstanding Alumni
  • Maj Gen. Thomas L. Prather, Jr., Class of 1982
  • Col. Kenneth P. Davis, Class of 1993

2019 Outstanding Alumni
  • Lt. Gen. Thomas G. Rhame, Class of 1981
  • Brig. Gen. T. Patt Maney, Class of 1989
  • Col. Clarence A. Miller, Jr., Class of 1972
  • Col. Jeri I. Graham, Class of 1996

2018 Outstanding Alumni
  • Maj. Gen. Arthur T. Dean, Class of 1986
  • Brig. Gen. George B. Price, Class of 1971
  • Brig. Gen. Richard F. Allen, Class of 1983

2017 Outstanding Alumni
USAWC Article
Outstanding Alumni Ceremony
Photos

 

2016 Outstanding Alumni
USAWC Article
Outstanding Alumni Ceremony
Photos