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.
GEN Pershing
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Last assignment: Chief of Staff of the Army, 1921-1924.
Pershing's early assignments include Troop L of the 6th U.S. Cavalry, command of a troop of the 10th Cavalry Regiment, Instructor of Cadet Company A at West Point, a major of the United States Volunteers during the Philippine-American War, and a Captain of the Regular Army serving with the 1st and 15th Cavalry Regiments. He was promoted to brigadier general in 1905, skipping three ranks. He took command of the 8th Brigade in 1913 and led the Villa expedition in 1916. He was promoted to full general in 1917 as Commander of American Expeditionary Forces for World War I. After, he was promoted to General of the Armies, the highest rank possible which was created especially for him. He became the Chief of Staff of the Army in 1921 and retired in 1924.
GEN
Patton
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Last assignment: Commander of the 15th US Army, 1945.
After graduation from the US Military Academy, he served as aide-de-camp to Gen. John Pershing in the Villa expedition and in World War I before becoming the first officer assigned to the Tank Corps. In World War II, having been promoted to major general, his assignments included being of the American Expeditionary Force, leading the 7th US Army in the Allied invasion of Sicily, and commanding the 3rd Army, during the Allied invasion of Normandy, until 1945. After, he was the military governor of Bavaria and commanded the 15th Army in Germany for a short time.
GEN Eisenhower
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Last assignment: President of the United States 1953-1961.
Eisenhower's military career spans over four decades of service. After a controversial injury at the United States Military Academy, he was promoted to major and received a Distinguished Service Medal for his command of Camp Colt by 1924. He served at Camp Meade and the Panama Canal Zone, was executive officer of the 24th Infantry Regiment, and was one of the youngest graduates of the Army War College. He was assigned to various aide and advisor positions between World Wars. By 1942, he was brigadier general and Commanding General of European Theater of Operations, and the next year he was Supreme Allied Commander in Europe during the Allied invasion of Normandy. In 1944 he was promoted to General of the Army. After the war, he was Chief of Staff of the Army and then Supreme Commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization before retiring in 1952 and serving two terms as President of the United States.