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