The Naval Institute staff, Board of Directors, Trustees, and I continue to develop an updated strategic plan for the Institute. The project is exciting, and I am always impressed by the new strategies and initiatives that we identify to achieve the mission, vision, and objectives of the Institute. We especially thank our Members who took the time to respond to our surveys and questions—all of this helps us craft a better plan! The effort will wrap up in September, and I look forward to briefing Members on our results.
The U.S. Naval Institute and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) are bringing you the next presentation in our Maritime Security Dialogue series on 9 July at CSIS’s headquarters in downtown Washington, DC. The series is intended to highlight the particular challenges facing the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, from national-level policies to specific programs.
Vice Admiral Tom Rowden, U.S. Navy, Commander Naval Surface Forces and Commander, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, will address the key initiatives ongoing within the Surface Navy and his vision for the future. We hope that many of you will join us at 1300 on 9 July at CSIS for what promises to be a great discussion. This year’s series is sponsored by Lockheed Martin. Sign up at www.usni.org/events.
The 2015 Information Dominance Essay Contest, sponsored for the second year by HP, produced three prize-winning essays, two Proceedings feature articles, and two quality contributions to the USNI Blog.
The winning essays are:
* First Prize: $5,000
“Next Exit: Joint Information Environment” (published in this issue, pages 54–59)
By Commander John M. (Mike) Dahm, U.S. Navy
* Second Prize: $2,500
“Updating the Joint Information Environment”
By Lieutenant Jeffrey B. Hunter, U.S. Navy
* Third Prize: $1,500
“Data and Design”
By Ensign Benjamin Morris, U.S. Navy
These winners will be recognized at WEST 2016 on 17 February 2016 at the San Diego Convention Center. In addition to their cash prizes and plaques, the winners receive one-year extensions to their memberships in the Naval Institute or new memberships. The second and third prize-winning essays will be published in future issues of Proceedings.
Look for details about next year’s Information Dominance Essay Contest in the August Proceedings and on the website. The deadline for entries will be 30 April 2016.
The deadlines for the Naval History and Innovation & Risk Essay Contests (31 August and 30 September, respectively) are approaching.
The Naval History Essay Contest, now in its second year under the sponsorship of the William M. Wood Foundation, features “Marine Actions Shaping History.” The winners will be recognized during our History Conference at the U.S. Naval Academy on 14 October 2015. Visit www.usni.org/nhessay for more details.
The Innovation & Risk: Striking the Right Balance Essay Contest, sponsored by Engility, tackles one of the nation’s most pressing issues: balancing the promise of new technologies with the constraints of current budget limitations. Visit www.usni.org/innovationessay.
Throughout our history, the Naval Institute has served as a uniquely valuable, nonpartisan, authoritative source on issues relating to the work of the Sea Services and the importance of sea power. As we have looked to the future, we have recognized the importance of—indeed, the growing demand for—more timely publication of breaking news and articles on current priority issues.
Since the official rollout of USNI News just over two years ago, the Institute has become more than ever a source of sources, with growing reach and a reputation for reliable information. The May 2015 snapshot shows more than 835,000 views of USNI News. The site was referenced in articles in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, National Review, CNN, Bloomberg, and ESPN.
The Institute continues to receive favorable reaction to the site’s timeliness and quality of content. All of this is being accomplished by the dedicated, talented staff of USNI News founding editor Sam LaGrone, his new editorial partner Megan Eckstein, and assisted by the valuable ideas and contributions of Scot Christenson. As ever, your feedback on the site is most welcome.
I wish all of our Members an enjoyable and safe summer!
Peter H. Daly, VADM, USN (Ret.)
Life Member and Member since 1978