The Naval War College (NWC) Monterey program for Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) recognized 19 graduates from its latest class earning academic honors for the 2020 Spring Quarter. Even though the usual ceremony was not possible given the distance learning environment this quarter, NWC at NPS Chair Fred Drake says the students’ collective performance is worthy of recognition. 

“Each graduate worked through multiple challenges while learning in the restrictive Pandemic response environment and yet competition was still keen,” he said. “Each graduate’s exceptional performance in the virtual classroom and working with their peers significantly improved the educational experience for the entire class.”

Graduates earning “with Highest Distinction” honors by completing the JPME program in the top five percent of their class are Army Majs. Garth T. McDermott, Daniel Meegan, Daniel R. Midgett, and Thomas S. Schlesinger; Marine Corps Maj. Ryan S. Tice.

Graduates earning “with Distinction” honors by completing the JPME program in the top 15 percent of their class are Army Majs. Christopher W. Amsley, Joshua L. Boyle, Jason R. Fabijanowicz, and Michael Tikkanen; Army Capt. Julio Torres III; Navy Lt. Cmdrs. Evan M. Bower, and Joseph F. Sullivan; Navy Lts. Andrew P. Melton, and Benjamin E. Sandridge, and Joshua D. Vitali; Marine Corps Majs. Kevin C. Druffel-Rodriguez, and Billy Hayes; and, Marine Corps Capts. Jeffrey C. Simonton, and Jesse P. Walker.

Through the NPS-NWC partnership, a total of 5,717 officers have earned their Joint Professional Military Education Phase I certification since the program’s inception in September 1999.