Naval War College’s 1st female president takes command

NEWPORT, R.I. — The first female leader of the U.S. Naval War College has officially assumed command of the school.

The college said Rear Adm. Shoshana Chatfield became the 57th president Thursday. Chatfield, a helicopter pilot, previously led a military command in Guam.

She has said she's humbled by her selection as college president and looks forward to serving. Navy Secretary Richard Spencer has called her a "historic choice."

The college didn’t hold a traditional change-of-command ceremony. Chatfield’s predecessor, Rear Adm. Jeffrey Harley, was administratively reassigned in June pending the outcome of an inspector general investigation.

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Multiple current and former college employees told The Associated Press they have raised serious concerns for over a year about Rear Adm. Jeffrey Harley’s conduct at the helm of the elite school that grooms future admirals and generals.

The reassignment came days after The Associated Press reported Harley was under investigation for questionable behavior.

The provost served as acting president.

The post-graduate institution in Newport, Rhode Island, graduates about 1,600 students each year and employs around 700 faculty and staff.

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