1st woman named to lead Naval War College
The Navy made history Friday when it appointed Rear Adm. Shoshana Chatfield as its Naval War College president.
Chatfield, a commander in Guam and a helicopter pilot, will be the first female president of the U.S. Naval War College since its founding in 1884.
During her time in the Navy, Chatfield commanded at wing and squadron levels, as well as serving in Afghanistan.
She has received a plethora of awards throughout her service, including the Bronze Star, Defense Superior Service Medal, Joint Medal and Navy Achievement Medal, among others. Service Commendation
Chatfield earned her doctorate in education from the University of San Diego and taught as a professor of politics at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
“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,” Richard Spencer, secretary of the Navy, said in a news release.
He said Chatfield will play a “pivotal” leadership role in the integration of the Naval War College into the Naval University being established to stimulate a “culture of continuous learning” in the Navy.
The Navy reassigned the college’s former president, Rear Adm. Jeffrey Harley, after an investigation by the inspector general.
Harley was accused of behaving inappropriately, excessive spending and abuse of hiring authority.
In the interim, Lewis Duncan, provost at the Naval War College, stepped in to fill the position.