How is the United States Naval Academy Developing and Preparing Surface Warfare Officers: A Needs Analysis of the SWO Leadership Capstone Course

摘要

As the United States Naval Academy undertakes an institution-wide curriculum review, questions have been raised regarding the composition of course material, and the allocation of credit hours for its First Class Leadership Capstone courses. This study analyzes the needs of the Surface Warfare Officer Leadership Capstone Course at USNA. The purpose of this research is to use qualitative data to determine how the USNA SWO Leadership Capstone Course should be structured, and to determine the appropriate balance between leadership education and practical training. The research also determines whether or not there is a gap between current course content and the expectations of Commanding Officers, Executive Officers, Department Heads, and Division Officers in the Fleet, with respect to the knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes Ensigns should possess on the day they arrive onboard their first ship. In addition to holding focus groups with course instructors and faculty coordinators, interviews were conducted with prospective Commanding Officers, prospective Executive Officers, prospective Department Heads, and Ensigns enrolled in the Division Officer's Course at Surface Warfare Officer School Command, Newport, RI.