Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center - SMWDC

Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center - SMWDC SMWDC is the U.S. Navy's Surface Warfare Warfighting Development Center (WDC)! This page is intended to provide updated information and discussion on the SMWDC.

The mission of Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) is to increase the lethality and tactical proficiency of the Surface Force through the development of top-talented surface warfare officers into warfare tactics instructors (WTI). SMWDC provides WTI production, advanced tactical training, doctrine and tactical guidance development, operational support to naval component c

ommanders, numbered fleet commanders, and combatant commanders, as well as capability assessments, experimentation, and requirements support. SMWDC, headquartered at Naval Base San Diego, is a subordinate command of Commander, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, with focuses on Amphibious Warfare, Integrated Air and Missile Defense, Mine Warfare, and Anti-Submarine Warfare / Anti-Surface Warfare.
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COMMUNITY GUIDELINES: Welcome to the Surface Mine and Warfighting Development Center’s (SMWDC) page managed by the SMWDC Public Affairs Officer. Please visit our official website at https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/nsmwdc/. While this is an open forum, it's also a family-friendly one, so please keep your comments and wall posts CLEAN and free from profanity. Comments and posts that do not adhere to the following guidelines will be removed or hidden, and continual violation of these guidelines will result in being blocked from this platform:
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-‐You participate at your own risk, taking personal responsibility for your comments, your username, and any information provided.
-‐For Official Use Only (FOUO), classified, pre‐decisional, proprietary or business-sensitive information should never be discussed here.
--Don't post personnel lists, rosters, organization charts or directories. This is a violation of privacy.
--Service members and their families/friends: Please practice good operations security (OPSEC); never share personal information, mission/deployment schedules or any other personally identifiable information (PII) or on any other publicly available information here (PAI). This includes websites and social media platforms. ***The appearance of external links on our page does not constitute an official endorsement on behalf of the U.S. Navy or Department of Defense. The appearance of external links or "Liked" pages on this site does not constitute official endorsement on behalf of the U.S. You are encouraged to quote, republish or share any content on this page on your own blog, web site or other communication/publication. If you do so, please credit the command or the person who authored the content as a courtesy (photo or article byline can be U.S. Navy or Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joe Smith, for example). For more information, visit the DoD Social Media user agreement at https://dodcio.defense.gov/Social-Media. Thank you for your interest in and support of the men and women of the U.S. Navy. If you would like information about joining the Navy, visit http://www.navy.com.

Congratulations to Surface Advanced Warfighting School instructor LT Patton on signing their SWO-Department Head Retenti...
09/04/2026

Congratulations to Surface Advanced Warfighting School instructor LT Patton on signing their SWO-Department Head Retention Bonus (DHRB) today! ⚓️👏

From shaping top-tier WTIs in the classroom to preparing to lead departments at sea, the future of the Surface Force is in great hands.

Thank you for your continued leadership and commitment to the fleet!

In an era of increasing operational demand across the Surface Force, we must continue to generate and sustain distribute...
09/02/2026

In an era of increasing operational demand across the Surface Force, we must continue to generate and sustain distributed combat power in conjunction with the Joint Force to deter aggression and prevail in contested maritime environments.

Today in San Diego, Rear Admiral T.J. Zerr, Commander, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center, kicked off by setting the scene for the Surface Force’s current fight.

He highlighted the modern-day wins of our Sailors operating across every theater and emphasized the urgency to continue learning, adapting, and evolving how we operate in contested maritime conflicts.

The environment is changing, and so must we. Our ability to learn faster, adapt with purpose, and deliver combat power where and when it matters will define our success.

Surface Warfare Tactics Instructors (WTIs) represent the pinnacle of tactical excellence within the Surface Force. As Wa...
09/02/2026

Surface Warfare Tactics Instructors (WTIs) represent the pinnacle of tactical excellence within the Surface Force. As Warriors, Thinkers, and Teachers, they are entrusted with advancing warfighting capability, strengthening combat readiness, and ensuring the Fleet is prepared to prevail in the most demanding operational environments.

Selected from the Navy’s top-performing surface warfare officers, WTIs bring proven operational experience, advanced tactical expertise, and a relentless commitment to developing the next generation of warfighters. Their purpose is to elevate the proficiency, confidence, and lethality of the Surface Force, ensuring U.S. Navy ships and crews are ready to fight and win in high-end maritime conflict.

2026 SMWDC COMMANDERS CONFERENCE COMPLETE ✅SMWDC Commander Rear Adm. T.J. Zerr hosted Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm...
09/01/2026

2026 SMWDC COMMANDERS CONFERENCE COMPLETE ✅

SMWDC Commander Rear Adm. T.J. Zerr hosted Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby—SMWDC’s inaugural commander—along with former command leaders at SMWDC headquarters in San Diego to reflect on a decade of growth and chart the future of surface warfare.

Key highlights from this year's huddle:

1️⃣Accelerating WTI Production: Welcoming Class 26020 to the Fleet! SMWDC fielded 146 WTIs in 2024, 157 in 2025, and over 90 to date in 2026- a massive trajectory from the 84 total WTIs patched in 2015.

2️⃣Operational Reach: WTIs are actively shaping the fight worldwide, serving as Tactical Action Officers in Combat Information Centers at sea and advising watchfloors at U.S. Central Command.

3️⃣Future Readiness: Leadership discussed advancing SMWDC’s sixth line of operation—the Surface Warfare Combat Training Continuum—to standardize training data across individual, team, and unit levels, alongside the rapid integration of unmanned systems and mine countermeasures.

Read full press release here : https://www.dvidshub.net/news/573618/smwdc-hosts-former-commanders-including-vice-chief-naval-operations-annual-huddle

Today, Rear Admiral T.J. Zerr welcomed former command leadership, including the Vice Chief of Naval Operations Admiral J...
08/31/2026

Today, Rear Admiral T.J. Zerr welcomed former command leadership, including the Vice Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jim Kilby, to Headquarters in San Diego for the SMWDC Commanders Conference. 🔱

Established in June 2015 under Admiral Kilby’s inaugural leadership, SMWDC is the premier standard-bearer for warfighting excellence in the Surface Force. What began as a bold concept is now fully operational, fully integrated, and fully trusted. Today, we are driving high-velocity learning, delivering real-time tactical advantages, and shaping the future of the Fleet.

At the core of this mission are our Warfare Tactics Instructors (WTIs). As the Surface Navy’s premier tactical experts, WTIs serve as critical force multipliers—elevating combat readiness, and modernizing surface warfare doctrine.

Since its inception, SMWDC has fundamentally transformed how the Surface Force prepares for high-end combat, guided by an exceptional lineage of leaders:

1️⃣ADM James W. Kilby (June 2015 – Aug 2016)
2️⃣VADM John F. Wade (Aug 2016 – May 2018)
3️⃣RDML David Welch (May 2018 – May 2019)
4️⃣RADM Scott F. Robertson (May 2019 – Nov 2020)
5️⃣RADM Christopher Alexander (May 2021 – May 2023)
6️⃣RADM D. Wilson Marks (May 2023 – Apr 2025)
7️⃣RDML T.J. Zerr (Apr 2025 – Present)

Looking ahead, SMWDC’s strategic mandate will only expand. As our adversaries continue to challenge us in contested environments, the demand for integrated warfare training and cutting-edge tactics is greater than ever. SMWDC will continue to lead from the front ensuring that when our Sailors are called to fight, they stand ready as the best-trained and most lethal Surface Force in the world.

Forged in the Foundry: The Surface Force’s Newest WTIs Graduate! ⚓️🔥 Today, the Surface Advanced Warfighting School (SAW...
08/21/2026

Forged in the Foundry: The Surface Force’s Newest WTIs Graduate! ⚓️🔥

Today, the Surface Advanced Warfighting School (SAWS) proudly graduated class 26020 of Warfare Tactics Instructors (WTIs) on Naval Base San Diego!

SAWS delivers elite, high-fidelity instruction across four critical warfare specialties, transforming top-tier Officers into the premier tactical experts our Fleet demands:
Anti-Submarine Warfare / Surface Warfare (ASW/SUW)
Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD)
Amphibious Warfare (AMW)
Mine Warfare (MIW)

These newly minted WTIs are heading back to the fleet to put their advanced expertise to work—meeting the exact demands of operational commanders and delivering decisive, expert tactical advice where it matters most.

In direct alignment with the Chief of Naval Operations’ “Foundry” pillar, SAWS is a critical engine for generating and modernizing naval power. Every ounce of sea power we wield originates in the Foundry; it is the absolute bedrock of our Navy, and these tacticians are the flame keeping it hot.

Congratulations to our newest WTIs. Stand fast, think fast, and lead the fight!
Are you ready to sharpen your tactical edge, lead the community from the deckplates, and become a warfare area expert?
Email [email protected] today to get more information on how you can earn the patch and become a Warfare Tactics Instructor.

Congratulations to the Quarter 3 FY26 awardees at the Surface Advanced Warfighting School (SAWS)!Instructor of the Quart...
08/18/2026

Congratulations to the Quarter 3 FY26 awardees at the Surface Advanced Warfighting School (SAWS)!
Instructor of the Quarter: LT Monica Sullivan
Sailor of the Quarter: IT2 Johnny Willis
Civilian of the Quarter: Jaime Martinez

These elite individuals represent the standard and the heartbeat of SAWS. As the vital engine behind the Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) enterprise, their leadership, subject matter expertise, tactical brilliance, and dedication are absolutely crucial in the ex*****on of the Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) Courses of Instruction (COIs). By shaping the curriculum and mentoring the fleet’s future tacticians, they ensure our surface force remains lethal, adaptable, and ready for high-end combat.

SMWDC will continue to increase the lethality and tactical proficiency of the Surface Force across all domains.

Over the last two months, Warfare Tactics Instructors (WTIs) actively supported Midshipmen summer cruises to foster prof...
08/15/2026

Over the last two months, Warfare Tactics Instructors (WTIs) actively supported Midshipmen summer cruises to foster professional development and provide critical insights into the Surface Warfare community.
During the summer cruises, WTIs provided the Midshipmen with an exclusive sneak peek into the rigorous WTI Courses of Instruction (COIs).
The engagements focused on candid group discussions detailing the life of a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) and the distinct responsibilities of a WTI in the Fleet. The dedication and expertise shared by the WTIs, which included firsthand accounts of their experiences during deployments and real-world combat operations, significantly enhanced the professional development and tactical awareness of these future SWOs.

The Mission: The Midshipmen summer cruise program bridges the gap between academic training and practical Fleet application. By interacting directly with tactical experts and discussing Surface Warfare firsthand, prospective naval officers build the foundational knowledge and expectations required to deliver decisive leadership and integrate seamlessly into their future warships.

The “So What?”: This hands-on mentorship between the Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) and the Navy’s future leadership ensures that graduating Midshipmen possess a comprehensive understanding of Fleet operations and the WTI program. Armed with these insights, these future SWOs stand ready to immediately enhance their respective wardrooms and maximize the combat readiness of the surface force.

SMWDC will continue to increase the lethality and tactical proficiency of the Surface Force across all domains.

Address

4170 Norman Scott Road , Suite 4
San Diego, CA
92136

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