Trent Hone is the Marine Corps University Foundation Chair of Strategic Studies at Marine Corps University (MCU) in Quantico, Virginia. In addition to teaching naval history and theory, he consults with organizations and federal agencies to improve their art of practice, accelerate learning, and innovate more effectively. 

Mr. Hone’s work is fueled by an interest in organizational learning and operational effectiveness. He is excited to bring these perspectives—and his rich expertise in naval history, strategy, and innovation—to MCU and grateful to the Foundation for the opportunity to do so. He joined the MCU team in August 2025.

Mr. Hone’s book Learning War: The Evolution of Fighting Doctrine in the U.S. Navy, 1898–1945, brought a new and valuable perspective that explains how the U.S. Navy harnessed learning mechanisms to accelerate victory. It was the U.S. Naval Institute’s Book of the Year for 2018. Mr. Hone’s article, “U.S. Navy Surface Battle Doctrine and Victory in the Pacific” was awarded the U.S. Naval War College’s Edward S. Miller Prize and the Naval History and Heritage Command’s Ernest M. Eller Prize. His essay, “Guadalcanal Proved Experimentation Works” earned second place in the 2017 Chief of Naval Operations Naval History Essay Contest.

Mr. Hone’s latest book, Mastering the Art of Command: Admiral Chester W. Nimitz and Victory in the Pacific War, was published in September 2022. It is a detailed examination of Admiral Nimitz’s leadership during World War II and describes how Nimitz used his talents to win crucial victories against the forces of Imperial Japan, seize the initiative, and execute an offensive campaign that created the conditions for victory in the Pacific.

Mr. Hone has addressed a variety of organizations and institutions, including the U.S. Naval War College, the CNO Executive Panel, OPNAV N7, the Naval Warfare Development Center, NSWC Carderock, the USMC National Operations Training Symposium, the Joint and Combined Warfighting School, the Führungsakademie der Bundeswehr, the Australian War College, and the Indian Naval War College. Mr. Hone has also spoken at the National World War II Museum, the National Museum of the Pacific War, Johns Hopkins APL, the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, the Dr. Harold C. Deutsch World War II History Round Table, as well as a wide variety of conferences in the United States and Europe.