The Naval War College (NWC or NAVWARCOL) is the staff college and "Home of Thought" for the United States Navy. The NWC educates and develops leaders, supports defining the future Navy and associated roles and missions, supports combat readiness, and strengthens global maritime partnerships. The current president is Rear Admiral Walter E. "Ted" Carter, a 1981 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. He commanded USS Camden (AOE-2) from May 2003 to October 2004, USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) from August 2006 to July 2009, and Carrier Strike Group 12 (CSG-12) (USS Enterprise) from October 2011 to April 2013.