It is practically a requirement that you attend NPS as an O3 if you want to make O4 or above. You will choose from a limited selection of degree options Deployments will be much the same as any other restricted Line Officer.. with an IA/GSA of 9-12 months happening every 2-3 years and depending on the duty station, numerous smaller/shorter ones in between. Most will be shore duty although there are opportunities for sea duty and overseas duty(which counts as sea duty) you can and will deploy anywhere.. Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia/Qatar, Horn of Africa. and all the other hot spots.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.