245 graduate from Air War College
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, AL -- The Air War College presented diplomas to 245 graduates during a ceremony today.
"Your Air War College degree represents both a major career milestone and a professional challenge," said Maj. Gen. Scott Hanson, AWC commandant. "Your successful leadership will require you to draw upon all you have learned here and more."
Retired Gen. Richard Myers, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was the keynote speaker.
The school year focused on the AWC's mission to educate officers to serve as strategic national security leaders. The curriculum prepared students to lead at the strategic level across the range of military operations, in joint, interagency and multinational environments; develop cross-domain mastery of air, space and cyberspace domains and their strategic contributions to national security; and advance innovative thought on national security issues.
Air War College provides students with the opportunity to further develop the knowledge, skills and attributes required to serve as senior leaders. This year's focus on character and intellect were designed to ensure the next generation of senior leaders will have the ability to effectively balance competing professional and personal demands inherent in positions of greater leadership responsibilities.
The class of 2013 included 106 Airmen, 34 Soldiers, 9 Marines, 10 service members from the Navy and Coast Guard, 12 from the Air National Guard, 11 from the Air Force Reserve and 19 civilians. The class also welcomed 44 international fellows from 41 countries.
"The issues you are about to confront are no longer 'academic' but are very real challenges that shape the national security environment," Dr. Mark Conversino, AWC dean, emphasized to the students. "I trust that you return to the hard work of ensuring our nations' security enriched by your experiences (and friendships) while here at Maxwell."
AWC AWARDS
Wright Brothers
Officership Award
Lt. Col. Suzanne Streeter
Commandant's Award
Col. Chee Mun Chew
Academic Excellence
(resident program)
Group Capt. Clive Blount
Lt. Col. Sean McCarthy
Lt. Col. Hans Miller
Academic Excellence
(distance learning program)
Lt. Col. Cade Gibson
Professor Emeritus Award
Dr. Lawrence "Buck" Grinter