April 1924 Proceedings—In “A Study of Our Promotion and Graded Retirement Laws,” Captain J. K. Taussig, U.S. Navy, wrote, “The chief trouble seems to be not so much with what has happened to date, but with what is feared may happen in the future. The present policy of the selection board is one of elimination, rather than of selection. . . . The board, instead of selecting the best officers from among all those available, really eliminates a few near the top of the list, whom they consider not up to the average, or for other reasons.”
April 1974 Proceedings—In his prize-winning essay “Counterforce or Countervalue,” Commander Roy L. Beavers, U.S. Navy (Retired), wrote, “Both U.S. and Soviet proponents of counterforce strategic weaponry must understand that perceptions are the all important adhesive which governs the durability of such arms control agreements as SALT I. However legalistically one side may justify a particular qualitative improvement for its strategic arsenal, if that improvement is viewed as destabilizing by the other side, it can be pursued only at the risk of wrecking SALT I. This will apply equally to Soviet MIRV programs.”
April 1999 Proceedings—In “A ‘National Fleet’ for America,” Navy Vice Admiral Thomas Fargo and Coast Guard Rear Admiral Ernest Riutta wrote, “The demand for high-profile, visible forward presence by U.S. naval forces capable of providing the full range of naval capabilities will remain high. But the Coast Guard’s proficiency at supporting lower-end missions during peacetime provides the opportunity to augment U.S. maritime power on a daily basis while also providing the foundation for the Coast Guard’s important role in support of the Navy in the event of a major theater war. Both services—and our nation—benefit.”
A. Denis Clift
Golden Life Member
