We have re-established separate Directors for the Naval Institute Foundation to improve our focus in this important area. The first meeting of the new Board of Directors of the Naval Institute Foundation, appointed by the Institute’s Board of Directors, convened on 4 October 2013.
Former Secretary of the Navy and Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England of Fort Worth, Texas, is the Chairman. The Vice Chairman is Tom Musser, chairman of the Tri-M Group. Other members of the Board are Rear Admiral Kendell Pease, U.S. Navy (Retired), former Navy Chief of Information and former Senior Vice President of General Dynamics Corporation; Steve Waters, founder of Compass Advisors; and Michael Wiseman, managing partner of the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell, LLP.
Rear Admiral Dan Bowler, U.S. Navy (Retired), a member of the Institute’s Board of Directors, serves as liaison member of the Foundation Board. As CEO, I serve as a member of both boards as well. We thank our new Foundation Directors for volunteering for this important effort!
Both the Naval Institute and the Naval Institute Foundation are certified by the IRS as 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits. The sole purpose of the Foundation, as set by its bylaws, is to raise funds for the charitable and educational purposes of the Naval Institute. We depend on philanthropic support to launch initiatives, underwrite mission-central programs, and secure the future of the Institute’s operations.
Some of the very best ideas, fresh thinking, and valuable constructive criticism on the way ahead for sea power and national defense are found in the essays by junior officers published in Proceedings. Earlier this year, the Naval Institute partnered with Dr. J. Phillip London and CACI International to initiate the 2013 Leadership Essay Contest. Intended to stimulate the best thinking and writing on leadership challenges and the traits and values of good leadership now and in the future, the contest was open only to junior officers—O-4 and below—from the Navy, Marines Corps, and Coast Guard. The number of essays submitted was outstanding. Contestants’ identities were not made available to those judging the contest, with each entry evaluated solely on merit.
The winning essay, published in this issue of Proceedings, is “Triggering Innovation and Initiative” by Lieutenant Erik Sand, U.S. Navy, who was awarded the first prize of $5,000 and a one-year Naval Institute membership. The second prize of $2,500 and a one-year Institute membership was awarded to Captain Justin P. Gray, U.S. Marine Corps, for his essay “The Pillar of Leadership.” Lieutenant Kurt Albaugh, U.S. Navy, won the third prize of $1,500 and a one-year Institute membership for his essay “Empathy: Sustaining Naval Leaders for the Long Haul.” We thank all who entered the contest for their excellent submissions. We thank Dr. London and CACI International for their vision in joining this partnership, and look forward to a spirited leadership discussion in the months ahead.
On 3 October, in partnership with the U.S. Naval Academy, the Naval Institute hosted a conference on the “Past, Present, and Future of Human Space Flight” that included some of the nation’s legendary astronauts and addressed space missions from Mercury to Shuttle, the current work of the International Space Station, and the goals and programs of the new generation’s private-sector, commercial spaceflight pioneers. We had a host of significant speakers who enlightened us all. It was gratifying to see the high level of interest among the midshipmen who attended and witness their connection to these important trailblazers. You may view the conference by going to www.youtube.com/user/USNavalInstitute/videos.
The Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard are currently in the process of revising the 2007 maritime strategy. Our Defense Forum Washington event, 10 December at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., will address “Shaping the New Maritime Strategy and Navigating the Budget Gap Reality.” As of this writing, we have confirmed Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-ME) and Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA), and have invited Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus to participate. Space is limited, and we encourage our members to sign up early at www.defenseforumwashington.com.