In November each year we emphasize Marine content, in part to celebrate the Marine Corps in the anniversary month of its birthday, 10 November 1775. This issue features three articles and a “Nobody Asked Me, But” by Marine authors. In our special tribute to Veterans Day and service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice, “To Honor the Fallen,” not surprisingly five of the seven contributors are Marines. This issue also includes the Marine General Officer and Senior Enlisted Leadership listings, with photos and organizational information about the service.
In a point-counterpoint section, “Navy Ratings Sail into the Sunset,” two master chiefs and a senior chief take on the controversial decision to change the Navy’s rating system. This move promises to generate a great deal of heat and light over many future issues of Proceedings.
This issue also marks the return of the Coast Guard Essay Contest, sponsored with Huntington Ingalls Industries (HHI) after a ten-year hiatus, with publication of the prize-winning essay, “White Hulls Must Prepare for Gray Zone Challenges,” by Lieutenant Commander Craig Allen Jr., U.S. Coast Guard.
The other prize winners who will be published in future issues are:
Second Prize:
• “The Perils of Indispensability” By Lieutenant Commander Kevin Duffy, U.S. Coast Guard
Third Prize:
• “All Hands on Deck: Diversifying Coast Guard Operations in Central America” By Sean Plankey, Gregory Bernstein, and Reilly Stephens
The winners of the contest were recognized at the Naval Institute’s Coast Guard Conference, sponsored by The William M. Wood Foundation at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy on 24 October. Former Commandant Admiral Thad Allen participated in the recognition of the winners.
In addition to all of the other engaging content in this issue, retired Navy Commander Kenneth J. Marra comments on page 86 on the October article by Navy Midshipman Third Class Jonathan Hebel, “The Navy Undervalues the Liberal Arts.” Commander Marra refers to the Holy Cross NROTC Unit celebration of its 75th anniversary on 8 October, and to the keynote address by Naval Institute CEO, retired Navy Vice Admiral Pete Daly. The USNI Blog posted an abridged version of this address on 23 October.
Fred H. Rainbow
Editor-in-Chief
Life Member since 1976