CSF 2024 | Keynote Address – Vice Adm. Daniel Dwyer, Deputy CNO for Warfighting Development, N7

Keynote Address – Vice Adm. Daniel Dwyer,
Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Development, N7,
Office of the Chief of Naval Operations

Vice Admiral Daniel Dwyer, U.S. Navy is a native of Alameda, California, and a graduate of the California Maritime Academy and U.S. Naval War College, where he holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation, a master’s degree in Foreign Affairs and Strategic Studies, and a master’s degree in Computer Information Science. Dwyer is also a graduate of the NATO Defense College General Flag Officer and Ambassador course.

Dwyer, a career F/A-18 naval aviator and graduate of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), has completed eight carrier deployments to the Western Pacific, North Atlantic, Mediterranean, and North Arabian Sea, supporting Operations Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and New Dawn flying over 75 combat missions.

He has previously commanded Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27; Provincial Reconstruction Team Asadabad, Kunar Province, Afghanistan; Fleet Replacement Squadron (VFA) 106, Carrier Air Wing 8, and Carrier Air Wing 17; as a flag officer Dwyer commanded the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (CSG 9), was the 36th Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA), and most recently as commander U.S. Second Fleet, with additional command responsibility of NATO’s Joint Force Command Norfolk, and NATO’s Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Centre of Excellence.

His major staff assignments include director of Regional Outreach (CJ9) NATO Headquarters, Commander, International Security Assistance Force Kabul, Afghanistan, and director of Aviation Officer Distribution (Pers-43) Naval Personnel Command Millington, Tennessee.

As a flag officer Dwyer served as the chief of staff (CoS) and assistant chief of staff for Strategy, Resources and Plans (N5) for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Naval Forces Africa and for Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet in Naples, Italy, director of Plans and Policy (J5) for U.S. Cyber Command in Fort Meade, Maryland.

Dwyer began his current role as the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Development (N7) in February 2024.

Dwyer was the 1997 Commander Strike Fighter Wing Pacific Adm. Wesley McDonald Junior Officer of the Year and his personal decorations include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Air Medal Strike/Flight, Combat Action Ribbon, Battle E (three awards) and has accumulated over 3,800 F-18 flight hours, and over 1,100 carrier arrested landings on 12 different aircraft carriers.

About the Current Strategy Forum:

This year marks the 73rd annual Current Strategy Forum (CSF) at the Naval War College in Newport, hosted by the Secretary of the Navy. The first CSF was held on 9 May 1949 under the title “Round Table Talks.” This event offers an opportunity for the Nation’s public servants, scholars, and senior military officers to join the College faculty and students to discuss the future strategy of the United States. Over the years, the CSF has expanded to include a cross section of America’s civilian and military leadership to encourage a wide-ranging debate on national and international security. This year’s theme: "America’s Seapower and Maritime Statecraft."

The wars in Europe and the Middle East, and the danger of conflict in Asia and the Pacific, underscore the need for clear strategic guidance to provide for the security and wellbeing of the American people and the partners of the United States around the globe. In a speech at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro introduced the theme of Maritime Statecraft as a guiding principle for understanding the importance of seapower and maritime strategy in upholding an American-led, rules-based international order. The Secretary underscored the importance of strategy in meeting the challenges ahead for the United States. “I always say that I expect my Admirals and Generals to be skilled warfighters. But more so, I demand that they be strategic thinkers — that they strive first to deter our adversaries and, if called upon, be victorious during times of conflict.” The Naval War College, since its founding by Stephen B. Luce and the teachings of Alfred Thayer Mahan, has led professional military education in developing future leaders to be strategic thinkers.

This year’s forum will seek to understand the role of the United States naval forces and maritime statecraft as part of an overall national strategy to meet the strategic challenges before us.