Peter Garvin

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Peter Garvin
Official portrait, 2024
Bornc. 1967 (age 58–59)
AllegianceUnited States
Branch
United States Navy
Service years
1989–present
Rank
Vice Admiral
CommandsNational Defense University
Naval War College
Naval Education and Training Command
Patrol and Reconnaissance Group
Navy Recruiting Command
Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10
VP-8
AwardsNavy Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit (4) Defense Meritorious Service Medal[1]

Peter A. Garvin (born c. 1967) is a United States Navy vice admiral who has served as the 18th president of the National Defense University since 11 October 2024.[2] He most recently served as the president of the Naval War College from 2023 to 2024.[3][4][5]

Education

Garvin graduated with a bachelor of science and aerospace engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1989. He received his master of science in national security strategy in 2005 from the National War College. In 2015, he became an alumni from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI. [6][7][8][9]

Career

In 1995 Garvin was on operational assignment with the “Pelicans” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 45, where he was awarded Association of Naval Aviation Pilot of the year. He was then the department head with the “Mad Foxes” of VP-5 onboard the USS Kearsarge (LHD3).Garvin then served as commanding officer of the “Fighting Tigers” of the VP-8 and the Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing (CPRW) 10. Garvin was the flag lieutenant to the Commander at the Patrol Wings Atlantic (CPWL), then Commander of the Task Force (CTF) 84.He then took on an instructor pilot position at the P-3 fleet replacement squadron, VP-30 before moving to the Bureau of Naval Personal (PERS-441) as Washington placement officer. After that he took on the role as executive officer for the director at the Operational Plans and Joint Force Development Directorate (J-7). Garvin then took on the role of Joint Staff federal executive fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) before the undersea warfare branch head in the assessments division (N81) and deputy director, unmanned warfare systems (N99) on the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations staff. After which he was executive assistant to the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.[6][10][5][8][11][9][12]From July 2020 until June 2023, he served as the commander of the Naval Education and Training Command, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group, and Navy Recruiting Command.[10][13][8] In February 2023, it was announced that Garvin would take on the role of president of the Naval War College located in Newport, Rohde Island.[14][15] While acting as president of the Naval War College, Garvin published the President’s Forum article.[9] Garvin published an article in June 2024 entitled “Why You Shouldn’t Come to the Naval War College”. The article emphasized that the college is nothing close to a break from the responsibilities of being with a fleet and that students go through rigorous debate, analysis and academics there.[16]

In July 2024, Garvin was nominated for promotion to vice admiral and assignment as president of the National Defense University.[17][18][19] On 7 August 2025, Garvin was a guest on the podcast War on the Rocks episode Forging Minds for Future Wars.[20]

Garvin returned to the NWC on 25 March 2026, to speak on the subject of warfighting in military education.[5]

Personal Life

Peter A. Garvin is married to Cheryl and together they have two children, Kaylyn and Lauryn.[21]

References

  1. "VADM Peter A. Garvin, USN". Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  2. "United States Navy Flag Officers (Public), October 2024" (PDF). MyNavyHR. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 October 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  3. Belmore, Ryan (22 February 2023). "Department of Defense: Rear Adm. Peter A. Garvin will be assigned as President of Naval War College". What's Up Newp.
  4. "Pete Garvin". U.S. Naval Institute. Retrieved 20 April 2026.
  5. "Vice Adm. Garvin returns to U.S. Naval War College for discussion about military education". DVIDS. Retrieved 20 April 2026.
  6. "VADM Peter A. Garvin, USN". Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  7. Garvin, Peter A. (2024). "President's Forum". Naval War College Review. 77 (2): 9–13. ISSN 0028-1484.
  8. "Biographies for the Joint Staff Industry Solarium" (PDF). Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  9. "Naval War College Review". digital-commons.usnwc.edu. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  10. "Rear Admiral Peter Garvin". United States Navy.
  11. "Rear Admiral Peter Garvin on the Way Ahead for the US Navy's Patrol Reconnaissance Group". Defense.info. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  12. Laird, Robbin (20 December 2019). "The Transformation of the Maritime Patrol "Aircraft" Enterprise: The Perspective of Rear Admiral Peter Garvin". Second Line of Defense. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  13. Smith, Daeshen (8 June 2023). "Naval Education and Training Command welcomes new commanding officer". Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  14. staff, Navy Times (22 February 2023). "Navy announces new leadership assignments for 43 rear admirals". Navy Times. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  15. "Naval War College welcomes 59th President". Archived from the original on 19 January 2026. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  16. "Why You Shouldn't Come to the Naval War College". U.S. Naval Institute. 1 June 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  17. "PN1997 - 1 nominee for Navy, 118th Congress (2023-2024) | Congress.gov | Library of Congress".
  18. "Flag Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of Defense. Archived from the original on 24 July 2024.
  19. "Garvin Nominated for Assignment as President, National Defense University | AFCEA International". www.afcea.org. 17 October 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  20. Wehmeyer, Joseph (7 August 2025). "Forging Minds for Future Wars". War on the Rocks. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  21. Reed, Kathy (31 March 2011). "New leadership for Recon Wing 10". Whidbey News-Times. Retrieved 27 April 2026.