Naval War College Monterey Bids Farewell to Longtime Professor
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U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Michael Ehrlich
Naval War College Monterey Bids Farewell to Longtime Professor
By MC1 Lewis Hunsaker
Naval War College (NWC) Professor Gary J. Ohls will have to say farewell to the strategy and war class he taught in NPS' Halligan Hall for the past several years. Ohls retires from the NWC Monterey program this month, completing a distinguished career spanning nearly 50 years in the Marine Corps and in federal service.
Ohls was born and raised in Kansas and enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1962, spending four years on active duty before being honorably discharged. After returning home, he earned his degree and again returned to the Marine Corps, this time through the Officer Candidate School (OCS) program.
In 1972, he was commissioned as a Marine Corps officer, commencing a 36-year career in the Marine Corps, both on active duty and in the reserves. Upon retiring for the Marine Corps Ohls returned to school yet again and earned a Ph.D. in History from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.
"In 1993 to 1994, I attended the NWC in Rhode Island and graduated with distinction … I was very impressed the NWC and hoped to return to the school in the future," said Ohls. "I [got my PhD] with the intent to teach at the Naval War College, since I was impressed with the program as a student. But I didn't know how likely that would be since a NWC job was very hi-demand position."
Ohls was very fortunate, he says, receiving a position at NWC, spending two years in Newport, Rhode Island before transferring to Monterey, where he has been for the past eight years.
"I have always felt a comradery with the students and was able to connect with them, which was remarkable considering the age gap between the students and me," said Ohls. "In return, it made me more effective as a teacher."
Naval War College (NWC) Professor Gary J. Ohls will have to say farewell to the strategy and war class he taught in NPS' Halligan Hall for the past several years. Ohls retires from the NWC Monterey program this month, completing a distinguished career spanning nearly 50 years in the Marine Corps and in federal service.
Ohls was born and raised in Kansas and enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1962, spending four years on active duty before being honorably discharged. After returning home, he earned his degree and again returned to the Marine Corps, this time through the Officer Candidate School (OCS) program.
In 1972, he was commissioned as a Marine Corps officer, commencing a 36-year career in the Marine Corps, both on active duty and in the reserves. Upon retiring for the Marine Corps Ohls returned to school yet again and earned a Ph.D. in History from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.
"In 1993 to 1994, I attended the NWC in Rhode Island and graduated with distinction … I was very impressed the NWC and hoped to return to the school in the future," said Ohls. "I [got my PhD] with the intent to teach at the Naval War College, since I was impressed with the program as a student. But I didn't know how likely that would be since a NWC job was very hi-demand position."
Ohls was very fortunate, he says, receiving a position at NWC, spending two years in Newport, Rhode Island before transferring to Monterey, where he has been for the past eight years.
"I have always felt a comradery with the students and was able to connect with them, which was remarkable considering the age gap between the students and me," said Ohls. "In return, it made me more effective as a teacher."