Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander graduates from US naval war college

LIEUTENANT Commander (Lt. Cmdr) Ralphie Ragguette of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Coast Guard Service became the fourth Vincentian national to graduate from the United States Naval War College (US NWC), located in Rhode Island, New York. Lt. Comdr. Raguette, who left St Vincent on July 7 last year to pursue the course, graduated on June 11, 2021.

He was one of 58 students from 51 countries who took part in the training programme which the naval institution has, for more than 130 years, offered to military and paramilitary personnel from 137 countries worldwide.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), was represented by trainees during academic years 2019/2020 and 2020/2021, a release from the police states.

Lt. Cmdr. Ragguette said while his experience was full of challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic and the eruption of la Soufriere volcano, it was nonetheless rewarding, and he was comforted by the fact that the SVG Coast Guard Service made a remarkable contribution to assist the people of (SVG) in the aftermath of the eruption of the volcano.

The US NWC program is a residential program that runs for a one-year. According to Lieutenant Commander Ragguette, the program offered a broad interdisciplinary curriculum in contemporary security studies that encompassed addressing and dissolving a diverse spectrum of regional and global issues and perspectives.

Some of the subject matters covered were: Theatre Security Decision Making, Strategy and War, Joint Military Operation, Leadership, Climate Change, National Security, and Leadership and war through the humanities.

Upon successful completion, Lt. Cmdr. Ragguette was awarded a diploma in recognition of Navy and Joint Professional Military Education in National Security, Strategy and Policy, and Joint Military Operations. He was also awarded an academic excellence certificate for best in writing.

He attributed his success to God, his wife, parents, friends, family, and work colleagues.

The other Vincentians who have attended the college were former Commander SVG Coast Guard Service, David Robin; Superintendent of Police, Benzil Samuel; and Lt. Cmdr. Deon Henry.

The Commissioner of Police, Colin John; Coast Guard Commander, Brenton Cain; and the rank and file officers of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF), and the SVG Coast Guard Service, have extended congratulates to Lt. Commander Raguette on his exceptional achievement.