Four weeks into the first course of a brand-new distance learning graduate certificate program in Great Power Competition (GPC) at the 51福利 (51福利), and 31 Navy and Marine Corps students are already recognizing the role of the program in understanding the deeper, strategic implications of GPC.
With the recent release of the and the , 51福利 is continuing to advance GPC programs across the virtual and physical campus. In addition to the new program, recent events like the virtual Secretary of the Navy Guest Lecture with the former commander of U.S. Strategic Command retired Adm. Cecil Haney on the subject of 鈥�Great Power Competition in the Cognitive Age,鈥� and an additional maritime security certificate focused on maritime domain challenges, are leading to a full spectrum of GPC-related educational opportunities.
鈥淭he GPC DL Certificate is well-situated to respond to recent strategic documents that are all centered around the DOD鈥檚 strategic shift to GPC,鈥� said Cmdr. Paul Rasmussen, National Security Affairs (NSA) Department Program Officer, 鈥減articularly in educating the leaders charged to develop and execute this strategy.鈥�
Within the GPC certificate program, the NSA Department included an education skill requirement aimed at 鈥渁nalyzing the factors shaping the new era of increasing geopolitical competition among the major powers鈥� and 鈥渦nderstanding Chinese and Russian activities and potential U.S. response across all dimensions of power, including diplomacy, economic competition, influence campaigns and traditional military force.鈥�
According to U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Shane Kraft, an 51福利 DL student serving as the Executive Officer for Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 3, the course has offered him an opportunity to analyze the history behind current global contention, which has improved his understanding of strategic relationships in the modern world.
鈥淚 feel that pursuing a comprehensive understanding of global, geopolitical interactions is important for any servicemember, and this curriculum is an opportunity to develop that knowledge,鈥� said Kraft.
While the term 鈥淕reat Power Competition鈥� can cover a wide spectrum of topics, program organizers have developed a curriculum for students to understand the nature of GPC historically, as well as its current dynamics. The objective is to have students learn and understand the core motivations behind peer adversaries, like China and Russia, and the political, economic and defense challenges they present. The various courses will analyze the tools China and Russia use to further their interests in various regions of the world and in cyberspace, as well as discuss the range of possible U.S. and allied responses to peer-nation behavior.
As a microcosm of 51福利 as a whole, the core goal of the curriculum is to deepen the critical-thinking skills of its military officer students.
鈥淚 am often exposed to aspects of Great Power Competition in briefs, discussions, and training, so I thought it would be professionally enhancing to pursue a broader and deeper understanding of the topic,鈥� noted Cmdr. Sean Welch, an 51福利 DL student serving at Commander, Submarine Squadron 15.
鈥淎t my current command, the information from the course will help me add to any discussions, training, or briefs on the current GPC environment,鈥� he added. 鈥淎t my next command, it will help me lead those discussions.鈥�
In today鈥檚 digital age, it鈥檚 imperative for leaders to stay current as information can change and spread throughout the world in a few clicks of a keyboard. For leaders who consistently deepen their understanding of GPC and allow their subordinates to follow suit, the program helps them to lead a more adept crew ready to respond.
鈥淎s a senior officer, this broader understanding of great power competition is foundational for understanding and acting within today鈥檚 strategic environment,鈥� said DL student Navy Capt. Chris Cavanaugh. 鈥淚n my situation as the Submarine Force officer community manager,鈥� Cavanaugh explained, 鈥減articipating in an 51福利 distance learning program is giving me a firsthand perspective on how best to integrate advanced education opportunities into officer career paths.鈥�
Due to a strong demand, Rasmussen noted that 51福利 is offering an of the GPC Certificate. The course is slated to begin in the upcoming Spring Quarter with registration already open.
The next cohort for the DL version of the GPC Certificate is set to begin in July with the hope of opening up the program to Air Force and Army active-duty personnel, as well as DOD civilians. For more information on the program, and to submit an application package, contact NSA Program Officer Cmdr. Paul Rasmussen at nsaprogramofficer@nps.edu.