Office of the Commandant/Division of Professional Development/Department of Leadership and Law: Records of the Department of Leadership and Law, 1968-1991: Finding Aid

History of the Department of Leadership and Law

Since the founding of the Naval Academy in 1845 leadership has been a core subject in the development of future officers of the Navy. Prior to the major reorganization of the Academy's academic departments, instruction in leadership and military law was administered by military staff in the Executive Department, under the purview of the Commandant of Midshipmen. In 1933 the need for integration of the major professional subjects at the Naval Academy resulted in the establishment of the Department of Seamanship and Navigation, comprising leadership and military law, seamanship, navigation, and tactics. In 1959 the Academy went through a major reorganization, transitioning from the old "lock-step" curriculum (consisting only of core courses) towards today's majors program. In 1976 the Department of Leadership and Law was moved under the auspices of the Division of Professional Development. Psychology and Behavioral Science became core courses during the 1970s, were eliminated in the 1980s, and now exist as elective courses. Before the 1960s, the leadership program was strictly under the purview of the Commandant. In the later part of the 1960s and first half of the 1970s, leadership was administered under the Academic Dean. Since that time it has been placed back under the control of the Commandant, with the Academic Dean exercising authority over promotion and tenure of the Department's civilian faculty. Today, instruction in leadership and law is administered under the purview of the Leadership Education and Development Division (LEAD). Located in Luce Hall, LEAD houses the Center for Experiential Leadership Development (ELD), the Department of Leadership, Ethics, and Law (LEL), and the Company Officer Master's Program.

Description of Contents

The Records of the Department of Leadership and Law, comprising 10 linear feet of documentation, span from 1968 to 1991. The collection consists of 5 series of SSIC Subject Files dating from 1969 to 1991. The subject files pertain to a broad scope of subjects related to academic curricula, midshipman training, and administration of civilian and military personnel and material resources. The series of Subjective Files relate to accountability, awards, building renovations, civilian staffing, curricula of professional courses, midshipman aptitude, grades, and records, officer training, professional exams, psychological tests, and research. The Correspondence Chronology series addresses academic curricula, examinations, grades, projects, research, and textbooks; administration of financial and material resources; faculty; guest speakers; letters of appreciation; professional training of midshipmen; and visits of distinguished individuals, other service academies, and ships.

The first five series, SSIC SUBJECT FILES largely consist of correspondence, memoranda, orders, and reports, with some interfiled newspaper clippings and photographs. The files mainly relate to academic curricula proposals, changes, and validations; administration of civilian and military personnel, and material resources; awards; logistics; meetings, conferences, and seminars; midshipman admissions, events, grades, and training and education; and visits by distinguished guests and ships. There is a heavy emphasis on race and gender relations in the leadership course curricula.

The sixth series SUBJECTIVE FILES, consists of applications, correspondence, lists, memoranda, reports, and schedules. The files relate to accountability, awards, building renovations, civilian staffing, curricula of professional courses, midshipman aptitude, grades, and records, officer training, professional exams, psychological tests, and research. The records originate from the Department of Leadership and Law and the Department of Behavioral Science.

Series 7: CORRESPONDENCE CHRONOLOGY, consists of copies of written and typed correspondence, letters, and memoranda. The correspondence addresses a variety of subjects including, academic curricula, examinations, grades, projects, research, and textbooks; administration of financial and material resources; faculty; guest speakers; letters of appreciation; professional training of midshipmen; and visits of distinguished individuals, other service academies, and ships.

Arrangement

The Records of the Department of Leadership and Law are organized into the following seven series:

• Series 1: SSIC SUBJECT FILES, 1969-1987
• Series 2: SSIC SUBJECT FILES, 1988
• Series 3: SSIC SUBJECT FILES, 1989
• Series 4: SSIC SUBJECT FILES, 1990
• Series 5: SSIC SUBJECT FILES, 1991
• Series 6: SUBJECTIVE FILES, 1968-1986
• Series 7: CORRESPONDENCE CHRONOLOGY, 1978-1985

Access and Use

Access

Restricted - Partly. These records must be screened for personal privacy and law enforcement information under 5 U.S.C. 552(b) prior to public release. Per review, select records may be withheld or redacted in accordance with FOIA (b)(6) Personal Information, and FOIA (b)(7) Law Enforcement.

Copyright and Permission

Generally, materials produced by Federal agencies are in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission. Any non-government publications held herein may still be subject to copyright. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.

Acquisition and Appraisal

Custodial History

RG 405 Records of the United States Naval Academy is the property of the National Archives and Records Administration. The materials are housed at the United States Naval Academy, William W. Jeffries Memorial Archives, an affiliated archive, as per a Memorandum of Agreement between the National Archives and Records Administration and the United States Naval Academy.

Related Materials

Related Archival Material

For records originating out of the Division of Professional Development, see entries 165 through 180a. For records originating out of the Department of Naval Science, see entry 180b. For records originating out of the Department of Seamanship and Navigation, see entry 180c.

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Office of the Commandant/Division of Professional Development/Department of Leadership and Law: Records of the Department of Leadership and Law, RG 405.3.2 Entry 180d

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Selected Bibliography

The following sources were consulted during preparation of the historical note:

United States Naval Academy. 150th Anniversary - History of the Leadership and Law Department. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Academy, 1995.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Samuel Limneos in September 2019. Finding aid written by Samuel Limneos in September 2019.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Leadership - Research
• Leadership -- Study and teaching
• Leadership -- United States - History
• Naval education -- United States
• United States Naval Academy
• United States Naval Academy - Leadership
• United States Naval Academy -- History -- 20th century
• United States Naval Academy. Dept. of Leadership, Ethics and Law
• United States Naval Academy. Division of Professional Development

Genre Terms

• Application forms
• Correspondence
• Memorandums
• Newspapers
• Orders (military records)
• Photographs
• Plans (reports)
• Reports
• Schedules (time plans)