About

COMMAND PHILOSOPHY

MISSION: TO INCREASE THE LETHALITY AND TACTICAL PROFICIENCY OF THE SURFACE FORCE ACROSS ALL DOMAINS

COMMIT TO EXCELLENCE

SMWDC strengthens the Foundry, enhances the Fleet, and ensures the Surface
Navy is forged to Fight, delivering peace through strength and preserving our
enduring advantage at sea.

We increase the tactical proficiency and lethality of the Surface Force by producing
elite Warfare Tactics Instructors (WTIs) who are Warriors, Thinkers, and Teachers.
WTIs deliver advanced training, support global operations, and drive warfighting
innovation. Central to this mission is the necessity to build tactical proficiency
through the Surface Warfare Combat Training Continuum (SWCTC).

We are a team of officers, Sailors and civilians on a relentless quest for excellence.
To us, "good" falls short of mission success; we find no fulfillment in mediocrity.

We recognize that excellence is not a static achievement, but an intentional process
of evolution and the internal drive to constantly improve.

Excellence is a rarely attained level of performance. It requires constant vigilance
against our weakest human instincts for comfort and a commitment to meaningful
"routines done routinely." This high standard is only created and maintained within
cohesive teams where an individual’s membership is defined not by perfection,
but by a deep, abiding commitment to achieve our standards.

We win through unwavering standards and the collective will to strive for the
exceptional. Success in the next fight will not be a matter of chance, but a product
of our deliberate preparation. We do not hope for victory; we build it through the
rigorous application of our craft and the relentless pursuit of excellence in ourselves and our teammates.

THIS IS TACTICAL EXCELLENCE BY DESIGN

RDML T. J. ZERR
COMMANDER, NAVAL SURFACE & MINE WARFIGHTING
DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Naval Surface & Mine Warfighting Development Center (nSMWDC)

4170 Norman Scott Road, Suite 4
San Diego, CA 92136-5519
UIC: 4005Y