Skip to main content
USNI Logo USNI Logo USNI Logo
Donate
  • Cart
  • Join or Log In
  • Search

Main navigation

  • About Us
  • Membership
  • Books & Press
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Naval History
  • Archives
  • Events
  • Donate
USNI Logo USNI Logo USNI Logo
Donate
  • Cart
  • Join or Log In
  • Search

Main navigation (Sticky)

  • About Us
  • Membership
  • Books & Press
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Naval History
  • Archives
  • Events
  • Donate

Sub Menu

  • Essay Contests
    • About Essay Contests
    • CNO Naval History - Professional
    • CNO Naval History - Rising
    • Naval Intelligence
  • Current Issue
  • The Proceedings Podcast
  • U.S. Naval Institute Blog
  • Submission Guidelines
  • Contact Proceedings
    • Media Inquiries
  • All Issues
All photos from the U.S. Naval Institute Photo archive
In distinguished company Young officers such as (left to right) William F. Halsey, Chester Nimitz, and Ernest J. King all published in Proceedings without negative repercussions to their careers. The author urges today's junior leaders to follow their example.
All photos from the U.S. Naval Institute Photo archive

Sub Menu

  • Essay Contests
    • About Essay Contests
    • CNO Naval History - Professional
    • CNO Naval History - Rising
    • Naval Intelligence
  • Current Issue
  • The Proceedings Podcast
  • U.S. Naval Institute Blog
  • Submission Guidelines
  • Contact Proceedings
    • Media Inquiries
  • All Issues

Read, Think, Write, and Publish

A senior commander and veteran writer encourages Sea Service professionals to fearlessly air their ideas in print and on the Internet.
By Admiral Jim Stavridis, U.S. Navy
August 2008
Proceedings
Article
View Issue
Comments

Benjamin Franklin once said, "Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing." But I would say, "Do both!" Live well, write about it, and write it well. Life in today's military certainly takes care of the "worth writing" part of Franklin's advice by providing us a broad, rich array of worthy experiences and ideas, worthy of living, but also worthy of reading, documenting, discussing, and—above all—publishing.

Much as the sea has been the inspiration for many writers—poets, novelists, journalists, even scientists—our military profession itself is a sea of inspiration. It is ever-changing, nearly boundless, often Hollywood-style exciting, and begs to be interpreted, presented, and debated. Indeed, we already have a well-established literary heritage, from purist strategy and tactics to fiction and even science fiction, but each of us has a role to play in continuing and improving on this heritage.

And it has never been easier to get started. All you need are some ideas you care about and pen and paper . . . or more likely, just a keyboard.

Premium Member-Only Content

Don't miss out. Become a member of the Naval Institute today.

Join Today

Already a member? Sign in to continue reading.

ADM James G. Stavridis, USN (Ret.)

By Admiral Jim Stavridis, U.S. Navy

Admiral Stavridis is the commander of U.S. Southern Command. He began his Navy publishing life as Salty Sam at the Naval Academy in 1976, and has since published more than a hundred articles and four books on leadership, shiphandling, and watch-standing, including Command at Sea and, most recently, Destroyer Captain.

More Stories From This Author View Biography

Quicklinks

Footer menu

  • About the Naval Institute
  • Books & Press
  • Naval History Magazine
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Oral Histories
  • Events
  • Naval Institute Foundation
  • Photos & Historical Prints
  • Naval Institute Archives

Receive the Newsletter

Sign up to get updates about new releases and event invitations.

Sign Up Now
Example NewsletterPrivacy Policy
USNI Logo White
Copyright © 2022 U.S. Naval Institute Privacy PolicyTerms of UseContact UsAdvertise With UsFAQContent LicenseMedia Inquiries
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
Powered by Unleashed Technologies