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By Vice Admiral Howard B. Thorsen, U.S. Coast Guard
MV
New Naval Institute Press Books
New editions of three popular titles become available this month. First off the press is the second edition of Handbook of the Nautical Rules of the Road by Christopher B. Liana and George P. Wis- neskey. This convenient, take-along guide has become a treasured reference
In iny remarks one year ago, I described the process by which articles proceed from receipt to acceptance or rejection by the egalitarian Editorial Board. Today, as then, I can report to you that we have toiled honestly, earnestly, and sometimes exhaustively in our quest to maintain the level of total professional credibility and integrity which is expected of the U.S. Naval Institute. Indeed, to do less would be an abroga-
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Editorial Board Chairman Admiral Thorsen addresses 117th Annual Meeting.
tion of our responsibilities to the worldwide membership of our organization.
Last year, I also spoke of our concern that a new restriction might be imposed on all active-duty authors. That restriction is in the form of a mandatory review of their personal expressions and views—i.e., Pentagon review for the
been praised by both the naval and academic communities. It is the product of years of research, including the period between 1974 and 1982 when the author, as historian for the Atomic Energy Commission, was assigned to Admiral Rick- over’s office.
Dr. Duncan had free access to files, documents, and personnel at every level so that he could accurately record the nuclear navy’s development. Such a rare inside view of the program and its leader can never be duplicated. Captain Beach calls it “a definitive contribution that is especially interesting to individuals like myself who rubbed elbows with Rickover
sole purpose of ensuring that those personal thoughts would not be contrary to policy. Our concern has not been eased.
Please note that I am not speaking of a review to ensure that national security is being protected. We have no argument on that issue; in fact, board members and all Naval Institute employees who read an article in the course of their professional work are very alert for any indication that classified information may be included or form the basis for statements or conclusions by an author. An unofficial security check to be sure, but it is one we hold very seriously.
Taking the initiative to, first, determine the status of any instruction that may contain a requirement for mandatory policy conformance and, second, to understand the rationale behind that requirement, the Executive Director (Captain Jim Barber) and I began working our way through the organization. We had reached the top and were scheduled to meet with Mr. Pete Williams, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. Unfortunately, our timing was not optimum, and we were understandably preempted by the events immediately preceding and then occurring in Desert Storm.
What I can report to you is this; the copy of the draft instruction which we were given during one meeting in the Pentagon does contain specific language that could most logically be interpreted to require all material intended for publication first to be officially reviewed to ascertain whether or not the author presents any thoughts, suggestions, or recommendations that are not in support of or in consonance with current or established policy. If there is objection by the reviewing official, changes would be required, or the author would not be allowed to offer the writing for publication.
Should that sound like censorship to you, don't feel alone. We believe that at least one legal opinion during normal review in the Pentagon has arrived at that same conclusion.
The safeguarding of classified and protected information is appropriate, but that does not extend to the infringement of the right o! free speech which is guaranteed by our nation’s Constitution! We will continue our efforts to prevent the imposition of policy review on our active-duty authors and will keep the membership advised of our progress.
Unfortunately, there is another “bad news” item about
for sail and power boaters.
Since publication of the original edition in 1986, the book has earned a reputation for using easy-to-understand language to explain the nautical rules of the road and show how they apply in real-life situations. Such a tribute comes as little surprise to us, given the fact that the authors, former U.S. Coast Guard officials, have long-time experience answering questions from the sea-going public. Now the handbook has been updated to include amendments to the rules.
Mid-month will see the publication of the third edition of Piloting and Dead Reckoning, revised by Commander Bruce
Proceedings/June 1991
Captain Barber, Admiral Thorsen, and Institute President Admiral Kelso honor essay contest winners at Annual Meeting in Annapolis. .
which you should be aware. As a result of the Ethics in Government Law enacted by Congress last year, active-duty authors may not accept payment for articles they have offered for publication, if the subject of the article concerns issues or topics that the author has learned of or become knowledgeable in as a result of the author’s employment and assignment to duty as a member of the military services within the Department of Defense. In layman’s terms, that means: if you have the experience to know what you’re talking about, you cannot be paid for your off-duty literary efforts as long as you are on active duty. There are some authorized exceptions: you can be paid if the material published is a chapter from a book you are writing; you may write a book and be paid for your efforts; and you may enter contests and accept prizes.
Let no one have the feeling that individuals are becoming wealthy by having their work published in Proceedings. Most authors aren’t even aware that they may be rewarded financially. Speaking from personal experience, I was surprised and delighted a decade ago when I received two checks for some work I had submitted. With those two checks, I was able to buy my wife a camera—off budget. As I recall, my personal “take” was nearly $150. Today, the average fee payment for articles is $300 and about $100 for all other submissions—hardly, I should think, sufficient to be included in ethical conflicts among government employees.
Once again, the Naval Institute is taking the initiative to correct what can only be described as an unfortunate and unintended restriction on our typical authors, the young professional men and women in the lower ranks who are dedicating their lives to the service of their country. In this instance, the most appropriate avenue is legislative action, and we have begun our effort in that direction. We will keep you informed. (In anticipation of eventual favorable resolution, we are keeping track of the monetary remuneration due the active-duty authors, and payments will be made at that time when those individuals may accept their just rewards.)
Our purpose remains today exactly what it was when the U S. Naval Institute was established in 1873: the advancement of professional, literary, and scientific knowledge in the naval and maritime services, and the advancement of the knowledge of sea power. Any review for policy conformance is unworkable, as well as unconstitutional. Policies change when leadership changes; are altered by those who have previously set them; are interpreted and implemented at several levels, again with often-changing leadership. Decreeing that literary effort—work—done by an individual during non-duty time cannot result in even a modest payment is, at best, a regrettable mistake which was not intended by the drafters of the legislation; at worst, it is an insult to the integrity of the very ones who were so recently placed in harm's way, and who performed so superbly in Desert Shield and Desert Storm-
Last year, I told the assembled members how honored and proud I felt to serve on The Board of Control and the Editorial Board. This year, I want to salute the staff of the Naval Institute. I wish each and every one of our more than 100,000 members could have the opportunity of participating alongside the nearly one hundred individuals who comprise the staff as they go about their business.
In the military service, we are often reminded of the unselfish devotion to duty, the dedication, and initiative displayed by our men and women. I have never heard such terms used to describe the individuals who comprise the work force of any business or private organization. But I can and do want to use those very words to salute the men and women who toil with such integrity, with such pride; who portray in their personal and professional countenance all and everything that we would hope to find. I should name each one. Instead, on behalf of each member of the Naval Institute, I congratulate every staff member who continues to maintain a standard of excellence unmatched anywhere.
Finally, I will repeat my closing comment from one year ago. In light of the drastic changes taking place in many parts of the world today, considering the uncertainty of the future, is it not obvious that the pen may be the best instrument with which to sharpen our sword?
Allan Bauer, USN (Ret.), a master mariner in the U.S. Merchant Marine. The first update in ten years, this new guide includes information on the sophisticated, satellite-monitoring navigational aids that are becoming more widely available. An entire chapter is devoted to new radar and Loran techniques that explains both their capabilities and limitations. Other chapters offer basic principles that all boaters must master.
Also to come later this month is the second edition of Jack Sweetman’s American Naval History: An Illustrated Chronology of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, 1775-Present. This popular chro
nology has been fully updated to include coverage of events through Operation Desert Storm. In fact, the last entry Professor Sweetman made before submitting his manuscript was for 8 March 1991, the homecoming of the first American ground forces from the Middle East. The book provides many other new entries on activities that have occurred since the mid-1980s, such as the air strike on Libya, the Walker spy case, the invasion of Panama, and the Iowa disaster, to name only a few. For those who need a quick reference for their desk tops or simply enjoy browsing through naval history, this book is a wise investment.
Proceedings / June 199)