NEWPORT, RI (WLNE) — The U.S. Naval War College held a change of command ceremony Aug. 9, where Rear Admiral Darryl L. Walker succeeded Rear Admiral Peter A. Garvin as president of the institution.

Navy Minister Carlos Del Toro presided over the ceremony and was the guest speaker.

“As the 58th president of the Naval War College, Rear Admiral Garvin has remained steadfast in his commitment to this institution, empowering students, faculty and staff to pursue their research interests, support our fleet, Combatant Command and national leaders, and engage in the global maritime community,” said Del Toro.

Garvin discussed the college’s growing curriculum, two Chief of Naval Operations Futures war games, support to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command in the wake of Hamas’s attack on Israel in 2023, and the largest Global Series war game ever conducted in support of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Garvin was appointed vice admiral and will serve as president of the National Defense University in Washington, DC.

“I am truly honored and humbled to return to this great institution, this time not as a student, but as its 59th president,” said Rear Admiral Walker.

Walker graduated from the Naval War College in 2002 and most recently served as deputy commander of Joint Force Headquarters-Cyber ​​at Fort George Meade, Maryland.