Keeping USNI ahead of the Curve
The Naval Institute is evolving rapidly to stay relevant in a challenging high-tech environment. To this end, we are harnessing the enormous power of our dynamic content, making it instantly available to naval professionals wherever they serve.
We are gratified by the response to our efforts to stay out in front. Information Dissemination, a prominent blog covering international and U.S. naval affairs, recently observed:
“If you take even a casual look at the maritime-related social-media communities on the Internet, you notice that nearly all of them are networked in some way with the U.S. Naval Institute. In a very short time, the Institute has evolved as the premier publisher of national-security-related content in the 20th century to being a fully integrated publishing and national-security network focused on sea power in the 21st century—a network that all big ideas in the maritime community want to be associated with.”
Having hit our stride with recent initiatives such as eBooks, virtual conferences, and our award-winning blog, the Institute has launched several new projects:
• News.usni.org addresses the restrictions of magazine publishing cycles and how they hamper timely coverage of current events. The addition of a news and analysis portal at our website has already allowed quick pieces on, for example, the Iranian naval threat in the Strait of Hormuz, sequestration, and the rise of privateers.
• USNI Naval Wiki improves access to the crucial information junior naval professionals need to keep up with the increasing demands of their jobs in environments far from traditional support and mentors. Conceived as the bedrock source containing the sum of naval service and operations knowledge, the Naval Wiki ensures that the sea-services heritage is preserved and accessible as a growing resource. It is also a great way to encourage junior personnel to contribute to the profession as authors.
• The Naval Professional App Suite overcomes the limitation of access to the Internet. Smartphone and tablet applications offer a sophisticated, portable solution available to all. The Naval Institute is developing a series of ten apps initially derived from the key professional operational environments. Content feeds to them from the most important and relevant Naval Wiki entries and the Institute’s professional Blue-and-Gold series publications, such as The Bluejacket’s Manual. The apps will update as new entries populate the Wiki and as books are updated.
Your tax-deductible contribution is a tangible way to invest in the Institute’s future while reaping the benefits today, since we are developing these and other technological advances to better serve you now. Donations can be made online at www.usni.org (click “Donate Now” at top right). Gifts by check or credit card can be sent to the Naval Institute Foundation, 291 Wood Road, Annapolis, MD 21402. For more information, contact Kirk McAlexander at (410) 295-1056 or [email protected].
In Remembrance – Beno Bowler
Throughout our 139-year history, the Naval Institute has been blessed by and taken strength from the contributions of the men and women who have believed in and worked to advance our mission. With sadness, we report the death of Martha Jean Richards “Beno” Bowler. Beno, as she was known to all who knew and admired her, was the wife of the late Commander Roland T. E. “Bud” Bowler, U.S. Navy, and was at his side playing an important, if often unseen, support role during Bud’s 22 years as the Institute’s leader. While still on active duty, Bud served as Secretary-Treasurer from 1962-64. On retirement, he continued as the Institute’s Secretary-Treasurer and Publisher from 1964-1984. Beno, Bud, and their four children Tom, Daniel, Linda, and Amy, called Annapolis home, and the Naval Institute is fortunate today to have Rear Admiral Dan Bowler, U.S. Navy (Retired), as a member of our Board of Directors. We are honored that Beno named the Naval Institute Foundation as a beneficiary of memorial gifts. Her life has a lasting place in our memories.