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U.S. Navy (Milosz Reterski)
Sailors write in the library of the USS Enterprise (CVN-65). Email is not the only form of writing Sailors should attempt while serving on active duty.
U.S. Navy (Milosz Reterski)

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Write-with Your Eyes Wide Open

To write or not to write while developing a military career? The rewards are usually worth the risks, but the risks are real.
By Captain William J. Toti, U.S. Navy (Retired)
December 2008
Proceedings
Article
View Issue
Comments

Having just finished reading Admiral James Stavridis' article in the August 2008 issue of Proceedings, I felt compelled to follow his advice and write.1 Admiral Stavridis is a friend and a former mentor, so it won't be surprising to learn that I agree with him about the merits of publishing. His admonishment to think great thoughts and be bold enough to share them, is right on target.

Over the years I have written more than a dozen articles for Proceedings and have published more than 20 OpEd pieces in national and international periodicals.2 I've contributed to two books as well.3 And I've never regretted any of it.

However (and this is a big caveat), it is important that any prospective military author understand the very real risks associated with writing. It's a fact that the prospective author's military boss is still a human being, subject to the same human foibles as the rest of us.

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William J. Toti

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