Change of command ceremony takes place at U.S. Naval War College

NEWPORT, R.I. (WLNE) — The U.S. Naval War College held a change of command ceremony on August 9, with Rear Admiral Darryl L. Walker relieving Rear Admiral Peter A. Garvin as president of the institution.

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro presided over the ceremony and was a guest speaker.

“Rear Adm. Garvin, as the 58th President of the Naval War College, has been steadfast in his devotion to this institution, empowering the students, faculty, and staff to pursue their research passions, provide support to our Fleet, Combatant Command, and national leaders, as well as engage with the global maritime community,” said Del Toro.

Garvin touched upon the college’s expanding curriculum, two Chief of Naval Operations Futures wargames, assistance to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command in the wake of Hamas’s attack on Israel in 2023 and the largest Global series wargame ever conducted in support of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Garvin has been appointed to the grade of vice admiral and will serve as president of National Defense University in Washington, DC.

“I am truly honored and humbled to return to this great institution, this time not as a student, but instead as its 59th president,” said Rear Admiral Walker.

Walker is a 2002 graduate of the Naval War College and most recently served as Deputy Commander of Joint Force Headquarters-Cyber in Fort George Meade, Maryland.