A Challenge
There are indications that in the next two or three years there will be more changes in international relations and politico-military relations than in all the quarter of a century since the end of World War II. In the light of such changes, how can the Navy best serve the interests of the nation?
Is there good reason to put a larger portion of our nuclear deterrent afloat than we now have? Is there good reason to put a larger portion of our tactical aviation afloat than we now have? Is there good reason to keep a larger portion of our ground forces at home but ready to move in amphibious lift than we now do?
If the answer to any of these is yes, then how does it affect not only that part of the Navy directly involved, but those parts which are necessarily involved indirectly? In view of a Navy which appears to be shrinking, rather than growing, what changes would have to be made in the forces we now have and in the way we use them?
The Board of Control of the Naval Institute is highly interested in answers to questions such as these and is anxious to consider for publication the writings of naval officers and other interested authors on such matters.
The Third Thursday Society
Two events important to better naval thought have taken place in recent years. One was the creation of the Boston Association of Members of the Naval Institute, which is now expanding into the New England Association. The other was the creation of the Third Thursday Society, founded at Norfolk, Virginia, in 1967, for the purpose of studying and discussing books important to the naval and military professions.
The Third Thursday Society—which, as its name indicates, meets one evening a month—opened a second chapter in 1968 in Arlington, Virginia, and, according to its librarian, Captain James Strong, U. S. Navy, "we have expanded it to three full discussion groups. A new Chapter, our third, has been founded in New London, Connecticut. Additionally, Rear Admiral J. L. Abbot, Jr., U. S. Navy, ComCarDiv Sixteen, is sponsoring experiments on board the USS Yorktown which could lead to chapters afloat. While still small, our society continues to double its size every year. It is our desire to spark the formation of new chapters throughout the naval community.”
Interested persons should write to: Captain James Strong, U. S. Navy, 742 South 26th Place, Arlington, Virginia, 22202.
Meetings of Interest
An International Symposium on underwater technology will be held on 10 and 11 June 1970, in Den Helder, the Netherlands. The Symposium has been organized by the Royal Naval College in co-operation with the Underwater Technology Department of the Royal Institution of Engineers. Those interested in obtaining detailed information should write to: Symposium
Committee, Koninklijk Instituut voor de Marine, Het Nieuwe Diep 8, Den Helder, the Netherlands.
The University of Delaware is conducting the first in a series of meetings concerned with military and naval affairs from 16 June through 21 July 1970. The theme will be "Warfare and Society in the Modern Age.” The aim of the series is to enable students, under the guidance of regular staff members and guest lecturers, to explore the history of warfare, with emphasis upon security, decisionmaking and strategy. Undergraduate students, full-time graduate students, teachers, and other interested persons may attend.
Inquiries should be addressed to Professor James M. Merrill, Director of the Military and Naval Affairs Institute, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, 19711.
In the Next Proceedings
On considering the sharp differences of cultural and religious backgrounds that exist between the Soviet Union and the countries of the Middle East, one may wonder with reason at the inroads achieved by the Soviets in that area. Wynfred Joshua’s "Arms for the Love of Allah” assesses the effectiveness of the Russian effort.
/s
R. T. E. Bowler Jr.
Commander, U. S. Navy (Retired)
Secretary-Treasurer and Publisher
U. S. Naval Institute