The Naval Institute and the U.S. Naval Academy Museum have enjoyed a close relationship through the years. An important highlight occurred in the late 1930s when the Academy made the decision to build Preble Hall to house the museum, and the Naval Institute played a major part in funding its construction.
Starting 10 September, these ties will be celebrated when the museum presents “Warrior Writers: The U.S. Naval Institute,” an exhibit capturing the Institute’s role for 142 years as the premier independent forum of the Sea Services. The exhibit will include more than 100 artifacts from the museum’s collection, many of which have never been displayed before. It will also include several unique items from the Institute and its authors. These artifacts tell the story of naval events and ideas—from the post–Civil War period to Afghanistan, from sail to steel, aviation, submarines, nuclear propulsion, and cyber. One of the great things about the Naval Institute is that our long history fully encompassed these historical and technological developments as they occurred.
We are very grateful to the Naval Academy Museum and its Director, Claude Berube, for conceiving the exhibit idea and bringing it to life. I encourage our Members to take in the exhibit sometime during its run between now and the end of January 2016.
On 14 October, the Naval Institute and U.S. Naval Academy will cohost the 2015 Naval History Conference, “Marine Corps Actions Shaping History,” with the generous sponsorship of the William M. Wood Foundation.
The day-long conference, to be held in the Academy’s Alumni Hall, will have an extraordinary lineup of speakers, including former Commandant General Alfred M. Gray Jr., USMC (Ret.); former Commandant General James Amos, USMC (Ret.); General John Allen, USMC (Ret.), Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL; renowned World War II historian Richard B. Frank; and a “no-holds-barred” panel of younger active-duty and retired officers and noncommissioned officers addressing “Lessons in Leadership: A Conversation with Young Marines.”
Mark the conference on your calendar. To view the full schedule and register to attend, go to www.usnihistoryconference.org.
We are delighted to announce the winners of the International Navies Essay Contest sponsored by Finmeccannica North America/DRS Technologies:
• First Prize: $5,000
“A ‘Black Rack’ Solution?”
By Captain Sam J. Tangredi, USN (Ret.)
This essay is published in this issue on pages 64–68.
• Second Prize: $2,500
“Ghana Navy: A Rising Star in the Maritime Domain”
By Lieutenant Commander Onege Maroadi, USN
This essay will be published in the March 2016 International Navies issue of Proceedings. At that time, the author will be the U.S. naval attaché to Nigeria.
• Third Prize: $1,500
“A Sling for Goliath”
By Lieutenant John F. Tanalega, USN
The winning authors will be recognized publicly at the Naval Institute’s Defense Forum Washington on 3 December. All the authors currently are Members of the Institute and, as part of their prizes, will have their memberships extended for one year.
The deadline for the Innovation & Risk: Striking the Right Balance Essay Contest, sponsored by Engility, is 30 September. As Members and readers of Proceedings know, innovation is a hot-button issue today. In addition to cash prizes and public recognition at Defense Forum Washington, the winners in this contest will attract extra attention. See the ad on page 11 for details.
Be sure to check out all the opportunities the Naval Institute—with the support of corporate partners, foundation, and individuals—offers to encourage potential authors to dare to write and make the naval profession stronger. Go to www.usni.org/essay-contests for more information.
Peter H. Daly, VADM, USN (Ret.)