The Challenge

Advance new thinking about the U.S. Coast Guard's critical role in the new era of great power competition. No issue is too big or too narrow as long as it makes the Coast Guard stronger. This does not mean authors cannot be critical and take on conventional wisdom and current practices. In fact, we encourage you to push the "dare factor."

Submission Guidelines

  • Word Count: 2,500 words maximum (excludes endnotes/sources).
  • Include word count on the title page but do not include your name on title page or within the essay.
  • Note: Your essay must be original and not previously published (online or in print) or being considered for publication elsewhere. 

First Prize: $5,000

Second Prize: $2,500

Third Prize: $1,500

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 members 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 published in the August Proceedings.

Selected Submissions

PRIZE
TITLE
NAME
First Prize
Lieutenant Andrew Ray, U.S. Coast Guard
Second Prize
Lieutenant Commander Daniel Wiltshire, U.S. Coast Guard
Third Prize
Petty Officer Third Class Merrill A. Magowan, U.S. Coast Guard
Sponsored by
Naval Institute

Previous Winners

2022 Coast Guard Essay Contest Cosponsored by Susan Curtin and the U.S. Naval Institute

PRIZE
TITLE
NAME
First Prize
Commander Craig Allen Jr., U.S. Coast Guard
Second Prize
Lieutenant Holden Takahashi, U.S. Coast Guard
Third Prize
Lieutenant Christopher Booth, U.S. Coast Guard, and Auxiliarist Mark Snell, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary