Department of the Navy Launches Pioneering Naval Strategic Studies Group Program

The Department of the Navy will launch a Naval Strategic Studies Group (NSSG) in January, facilitated by the Office of Strategic Assessment (OSA). This initiative aims to reinvigorate strategic leadership through dedicated training and research.

The NSSG draws inspiration from the Cold War-era Strategic Studies Group, focusing on equipping future flag officers with strategic expertise and addressing some of the Department of the Navy (DON)’s pressing strategic dilemmas. The inaugural cohort, featuring both military and civilian members from the Navy and Marine Corps, will embark on a significant research project aligned with Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro’s maritime statecraft agenda.

Secretary Del Toro emphasizes the importance of strategic thinking, asserting that leaders must not only excel in naval operations but also navigate complex maritime challenges effectively. “Future flag and general officers must be equipped to lead in a contested maritime domain amid economic, technological, and military competition,” Del Toro stated.

This strategic study program is set to enhance DON’s strategic workforce, a core part of Del Toro’s vision of fostering a culture of warfighting excellence. Research efforts will focus on broad strategic issues critical to sustaining maritime dominance, rather than narrow tactical or technological challenges already explored.

Dr. Cara LaPointe, Director of OSA, highlighted the importance of strategic education for national maritime needs. “As we face complex challenges globally, the NSSG will cultivate leaders who can navigate dynamic operational landscapes,” she remarked.

Historically, the chief of naval operations launched a similar Strategic Studies Group in 1981 for Cold War challenges, which stayed active till 2016. Given current geopolitical complexities involving nations like China and Russia, strategic education is prioritized again.

In his 2023 Naval Education Strategy, Del Toro outlined plans to enhance naval educational institutions. This strategy shapes the NSSG’s curriculum to tackle the Navy’s most critical strategic issues.

Del Toro noted ongoing global threats: “A robust NSSG will aid the Navy in preempting and addressing security trends effectively.” The group will explore collaboration with the Naval University System to provide a world-class education curriculum.

Marine Corps Training Command leader Lt. Gen. Benjamin Watson stressed the urgency of strategic cognition, especially given modern warfare’s demands for quick adaptation. “To stay ahead, our training must adapt continually, and our leaders must be thinkers capable of navigating ever-evolving scenarios,” Watson said.

Vice Adm. Daniel Dwyer, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, emphasized that the NSSG would cultivate strategic leaders essential for future challenges. “This initiative will strengthen our maritime supremacy by producing strategic thinkers poised to lead through uncertain times,” Dwyer concluded.

The Office of Strategic Assessment, founded by Del Toro in October 2023, is tasked with reviving this strategic education program, critical for rebuilding the naval strategist community.