WEST 2018 Is Big
Now in its 28th consecutive year, the WEST Conference & Exposition is the biggest event of its kind in the Pacific theater. This year the program and exhibits run from Tuesday, 6 February, to Thursday, 8 February, at the San Diego Convention Center. The Naval Institute has cosponsored this event since its inception with another great nonprofit professional organization, AFCEA International.
The 2018 program kicks off with an address by the Honorable Patrick M. Shanahan, Deputy Secretary of Defense. This will be Secretary Shanahan’s first time speaking at WEST.
Another highlight will be a freewheeling roundtable discussion with the nation’s three Sea Service chiefs—General Robert B. Neller, U.S. Marine Corps; Admiral John M. Richardson, U.S. Navy; and Admiral Paul F. Zukunft, U.S. Coast Guard. This unscripted discussion will be facilitated by Admiral James G. Stavridis, U.S. Navy (Retired), former Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, and chair of the U.S. Naval Institute’s Board of Directors.
Between these defining conference sessions will be exciting and informative panels and addresses. We invite you to check out the entire program at www.westconference.org.
Complementing the great original content, the exposition floor offers the opportunity to see and learn about technologies in service with the armed forces and new innovations and equipment soon to enter service. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) will host a Navy Information Warfare Pavilion showcasing the most recent efforts to improve cybersecurity and technology in the Fleet. The Office of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare (N2/N6) will be conducting its own conference within WEST.
We also will be recognizing the Copernicus Award winners, the winners of many of the essay contests the Naval Institute sponsors with Textron Systems, Dr. J. Phillip London & CACI International, DXC Technology, and Marine Generals Peter Pace and John Allen and Lieutenant General Wallace “ Chip” Gregson.
Networking—the ability to connect with primary-source experts in the military, government, and industry—is one of the biggest opportunities WEST provides. Because this event is held “outside the D.C. Beltway,” the speakers, panelists, and moderators tend to spend more time at WEST’s related activities.
Please consider attending, if only for a day or part of a day. Admission to WEST is free for those serving on active duty and in the service of the federal government. If you visit the Naval Institute booth, you will have the chance to meet many of our authors, including Admiral Stavridis, signing their books. Join the Naval Institute or renew your membership and receive a Naval Institute Press book as an incentive.
We hope to see you in San Diego.
Reserve The Dates
On Tuesday, 14 February, the Naval Institute will hold its next event in the Maritime Security Dialogue series conducted with the Center for Strategic & International Studies. The program will cover the recent Comprehensive and Strategic Reviews addressing the readiness of the surface forces. Retired Navy Vice Admiral Phil Balisle will for the first time since the recent collisions discuss the 2010 “Balisle Report.” Check out our website for more details.
Also, please fence off 2 May on your calendars to ensure you can join us for this year’s Annual Meeting. We will have more information on this Washington, D.C., event in the coming months.
CNO Naval History Essay Contest Is Back
We are pleased to announce that we are conducting the Second CNO Naval History Contest, sponsored again this year with support from General Dynamics. Last year’s contest was a huge success by all metrics.
Peter H. Daly, VADM, USN (Ret.)
Life Member and Member since 1978