This month, the Naval Institute takes pride and great pleasure in publishing the new, illustrated edition of The Big E: The Story of the USS Enterprise. The work—hardcover, 9” x 12”, 576 pages, with 370 photos, maps, and other illustrations—tells the tale of the aircraft carrier that contributed more than any other warship to the naval victory in the Pacific. The scoreboard on her hangar deck at the end of World War II included 20 battle stars, 911 aircraft destroyed, and 71 ships sunk.
The first edition of The Big E was published in 1962. The author, the late Commander Edward Peary Stafford, USN (Ret.), was a naval aviator. He gives us a superb study—literate, scholarly, highly dramatic—of a great ship, her crew, and the action they saw. His work is judged to be one of the finest pieces of naval writing to emerge from the war. The U.S. Naval Institute gratefully acknowledges the generous financial support and invaluable partnership of Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Enterprise Executive Chairman Andrew C. Taylor for making this special edition of Commander Stafford’s The Big E possible.
To place an order:
Online: www.nip.org or www.usni.org
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1-800-233-8764
Mail: U.S. Naval Institute
291 Wood Road
Annapolis, MD 21402
This new edition is invaluable professional reading, naval history of enduring importance, and a publisher’s work of art.
I am pleased to report the winners in two important essay contests.
In the Enlisted Prize Essay Contest, sponsored with Textron Systems, we received many excellent submissions. The winners are:
• First Prize: $3,000
“Succeeding in the Human Domain”
By Sergeant Dion J. Edon Jr., USMC
Note: This essay is published on pages 58-61 in this issue.
• Second Prize: $2,000
“How to Make the Navy Stronger”
By Chief Electronics Mate Clinton Anderson, USNR
• Third Prize: $1,000
“The New Navy: Acceptance and Coping with Generational Changes”
By Hospital Corpsman Ryan Zieno, USN
The winners will be recognized at the WEST Conference on 17 February 2016 and receive one-year memberships (or extensions).
In addition to these prize winners, we are going to publish a number of the essays as features in Proceedings, perhaps in a new running column, and on the USNI Blog.
As you may recall, the Enlisted Prize Essay Contest is unique in that we are running it twice a year. Watch for details about the next opportunity to participate.
In the Leadership Essay Contest, cosponsored with Dr. J. Phillip London and CACI International, we again received many more fine essays than we have prizes to award. In part, the judging results helped us address this problem—i.e., we had a three-way tie for Third Prize. The results of this year’s contest are:
• First Prize: $5,000
“Leading Outside Command”
By Lieutenant Commander Jason Shell, USN
Note: This essay is published on pages 52-57 in this issue.
• Second Prize: $2,500
“A View on Leadership: What Do You Think? Critical Thought Leadership as the Foundation for All to Lead”
By Ensign Justin Chock, USN
• Third Prize (3): $500 each
“Identity, Passion & Service”
By Lieutenant Commander Robert E. Keller, USN
“#Leadership”
By Captain Rafiel Deon Warfield, USMC
“Leadership at Sea: Earn Trust, Develop Loyalty, and Ensure Success”
By Lieutenant Matthew Farrell, USN
These winners will also be recognized at the WEST Conference and will receive one-year memberships (or extensions).
Finally, I am pleased to report the Naval Institute and the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) Foundation will cosponsor the new NPS Foundation/U.S. Naval Institute Annual Essay Contest Award to encourage critical thinking and writing for publication among students, faculty, and staff at the NPS. For details about this new initiative, see the ad on page 15.
The Naval Institute had the opportunity to participate in the Defense Entrepreneurs Forum (DEF-2015) in Chicago in mid-November. The Defense Entrepreneurs Forum came together three years ago. Its goal as articulated by DEF’s chairman, Lieutenant Commander Ben Kohlmann, USNR, is “to create an enduring culture of creativity and innovation throughout national security by giving a voice to those who rarely have a chance to speak publicly.”
These enterprising junior officers, enlisted professionals, and motivated civilians give presentations and openly discuss new ideas. No one wears a uniform, and rank is left at the door.
This year, I was invited to participate in a DEF Consultancy, “How Can the Naval Institute Better Reach Millennials?” I got the opportunity to tee up this question by sharing with the group some of the thinking that has developed over the past many months as we build the Naval Institute’s next three-year strategic plan.
I went into this engagement hopeful. I came out impressed and with many new ideas and suggestions that I know will make the Naval Institute and its service to the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard stronger.
Finally, on the last day of the event, the Naval Institute sponsored DEF’s Innovation Pitch Competition. We will report on the results and recognize the winners and their programs in a future issue of Proceedings.
I hope you will take a few moments to glance through our new Holiday Catalog at www.usni.org. There is a superb selection of books and other gifts, and outstanding Member discounts on books ordered by 18 December. We’re offering 50 percent off all books in the catalog and free domestic shipping. To receive this discount, use the coupon code “Holiday2015.” You may order online—www.nip.org—or via phone at (800) 233-8764.
Please be sure to register for our 7 December Defense Forum Washington 2015 addressing “From the South China Sea to ISIS: What is the Role of American Sea Power?” The conference will be held at the Newseum in Washington, D.C, from 0800-1200.
Join us as Admiral John Richardson, USN, shares his strategic view, the underpinning for his vision, and plans for his next four years as the Chief of Naval Operations. Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT), Member, House Armed Services Committee; Member, House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces; and Co-Chair, Congressional Shipbuilding Caucus, will offer his perspective on the priorities, role, and response of the Sea Services during a time of increasing national-security challenges and budget constraints. Mr. Ron O’Rourke will also join us and share his views on the naval capacity and capability needed to meet current global missions. Representative Mac Thornberry (R-TX) and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) are invited but not confirmed as of this writing. You can register to attend DFW at www.defenseforumwashington.com.
And remember to save the date for WEST 2016, 17-19 February in San Diego.
As we head into the end of 2015, I am happy to report the Naval Institute has had another very successful year. We have made excellent progress on our important mission goals such as preserving primary-source history through our expanded Oral History program and accelerating our progress toward the digital future by release of our new Proceedings app and increased eBook offerings. We are reaching an ever greater audience through initiatives such as USNI News and our expanded essay contests. Membership is up for the fourth straight year, and the Naval Institute Foundation will set another record in 2015. We sincerely thank you for your membership and support!
On behalf of the staff of the Naval Institute, I wish all our Members a very joyous holiday season and a Merry Christmas!
Peter H. Daly, VADM, USN (Ret.)
Life Member and Member since 1978