The Challenge

Leadership in the Sea Services: The Junior Officers’ Perspective

The 2019 Leadership Essay Contest focuses on the roles of leadership and character in America's Sea Services. 

Eligibility

Junior officers (LCDR/Major and below) from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard are eligible to take part in the essay contest.

Length

  • 2,250 words maximum (excludes footnotes/endnotes/sources).

Prior Publication

Essays must be original, not been previously published (online or in print) or being considered for publication elsewhere.

Awards

First Prize: $5,000 Second Prize: $2,500 Third Prize: $1,500

Submission Guidelines

  • Include word count on title page of essay but do not include your name on title page or within the essay.
  • Provide separate attachment to include biography and complete contact information -- i.e., work, home, and cell phone numbers; and home mailing address.

Selection Process

The Proceedings staff members will evaluate every essay and screen the top essays to a special Essay Selection Committee of at least six members who will include two member's of the Naval Institute's Editorial Board and four subject experts.  All essays will be judged in the blind -- i.e., the Proceedings staff members and judges will not know the authors of the essays.

Announcement of the Winners

Winners will be announced in the January 2020 Proceedings.

Selected Submissions

PRIZE
TITLE
NAME
First Prize
Lieutenant Commander James E. Brokaw, U.S. Navy
Second Prize
Lieutenant Commander Steven R. Moffitt, U.S. Navy
Third Prize
Major Brian Kerg, U.S. Marine Corps
Sponsored by
CACI: Ever Vigilant
Dr. J. Phillip London and CACI International

Previous Winners

2015 Leadership Essay Contest A U.S. Naval Institute Program in Partnership with Dr. J. Phillip London and CACI International

PRIZE
TITLE
NAME
First Prize
Lieutenant Commander Jason Shell, U.S. Navy
Second Place
Ensign Justin Chock, U.S. Navy
Third Prize
Lieutenant Commander Robert E. Keller, U.S. Navy
Third Place
Captain Rafiel Deon Warfield, U.S. Marine Corps

2014 Leadership Essay Contest A U.S. Naval Institute Program in Partnership with Dr. J. Phillip London and CACI International

PRIZE
TITLE
NAME
First Prize
Ensign Jesse Burroughs, U.S. Navy
Second Prize
Captain Rafiel D. Warfield, U.S. Marine Corps
Third Prize
Lieutenant Michael Mabrey, U.S. Navy
Honorable Mention
Past as Prologue: A Fresh Perspective on Naval Leadership from the Junior Officer Ranks
Lieutenant Jonathan Lushenko, U.S. Navy
Honorable Mention
Ruthless Self-Reflection: Integrating the Most Important Leadership Trait into a Highly Effective Leadership Persona
Captain James P. Donovan, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
Honorable Mention
Leadership Development: Seek Crucible Opportunities, Seek Mentoring
Lieutenant Jeff Janaro, U.S. Coast Guard

2004 Vincent Astor Memorial Leadership Essay Contest

PRIZE
TITLE
NAME
First Prize
Lieutenant William Scotch Perdue, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy
Second Prize
First Lieutenant Christopher S. Tsirlis, U.S. Marine Corps
Third Prize
Ensign Anne Gibbon, U.S. Navy
Third Prize
Lieutenant Kevin M. Coyne, Civil Engineer Corps, U.S. Naval Reserve

1995 Vincent Astor Memorial Leadership Essay Contest

PRIZE
TITLE
NAME
First Prize
Lieutenant Michael M. Edwards, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy
First Honorable Mention
Lieutenant (junior grade) Martha Suzanne Dunne, U.S. Navy
Second Honorable Mention
Lieutenant Christopher E. Devereaux, Medical Corps, U.S. Naval Reserve
Second Honorable Mention
Captain Lori Reynolds, U.S. Marine Corps

1994 Vincent Astor Memorial Leadership Essay Contest

PRIZE
TITLE
NAME
Winner
Lieutenant Michael M. Edwards, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy
First Honorable Mention
Captain Kirk L. Freund, U.S. Marine Corps
Second Honorable Mention
Is the Naval Service Still a Profession?
Ensign Martha Suzanne Dunne, U.S. Navy
Second Honorable Mention
Military Leadership in a Multinational Era
Lieutenant Scott H. Frewing, U.S. Navy

1987 Vincent Astor Memorial Leadership Essay Contest

PRIZE
TITLE
NAME
Winner
Midshipman First Class Martin P. Siewert, U.S. Naval Reserve
First Honorable Mention
Lieutenant William F. Hoeft, Jr., U.S. Navy
Second Honorable Mention
Lieutenant Lewis C. Kimmel, Chaplain Corps, U. S. Naval Reserve
Second Honorable Mention
Taking a Chance: The Role of Risk-Taking in Military Leadership
Lieutenant Christopher A. Abel, U.S. Coast Guard
Second Honorable Mention
Lieutenant Sam J. Tangredi, U.S. Navy

1975 Vincent Astor Memorial Leadership Essay Contest

PRIZE
TITLE
NAME
Winner
Lieutenant Michael R. Svendsen, U. S. Navy
First Honorable Mention
Lieutenant Thomas F. Marfiak, U.S. Navy
Second Honorable Mention
Captain R. J. O'Rourke, U. S. Marine Corps
Second Honorable Mention
Lieutenant Thomas S. Sher, U. S. Navy
Second Honorable Mention
Lieutenant Bruce Stuart Lemkin, U. S. Navy