ALCOAST 366/18 - OCT 2018 U.S. NAVAL INSTITUTE’S GENERAL PRIZE ESSAY CONTEST

united states coast guard

R 181223 OCT 18
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-09//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS//N05700//
ALCOAST 366/18
COMDTNOTE 5700
SUBJ: U.S. NAVAL INSTITUTE’S GENERAL PRIZE ESSAY CONTEST
A. Coast Guard External Affairs Manual, COMDTINST M5700.13 (series)
1. This ALCOAST announces the U.S. Naval Institute’s annual General Prize Essay Contest.
2. Overview. Located at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, the U.S. Naval Institute
(USNI), a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization, has provided an open forum for
honest debate, informed discussion, and professional development for members of the Naval
Services since 1873. The vision and mission of USNI is to give a voice to those who seek the
finest Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard by providing an independent forum for those who
dare to read, think, speak, and write to advance the professional, literary, and scientific
understanding of sea power and other issues critical to global security. USNI is noted for
its flagship magazine Proceedings, and a variety of historical and professional books.
3. General Prize Contest. This year’s annual General Prize Essay Contest challenges authors
to dare to write to advance the professional, literary, and scientific understanding of sea
power and other issues critical to national defense. Authors are encouraged to discuss the
most compelling issues, ideas, and solutions. There is no restriction on topic. Those
authors who choose to write about the Coast Guard are encouraged to advance new thinking
about the Coast Guard’s critical role in the 21st century, including constructively
analyzing and challenging conventional wisdom and current practices. In fact, USNI
encourages authors to push the “dare” factor, and Coast Guard senior leaders encourage
diversity of thought and respectful deliberation of difficult issues facing our Service.
    a. Eligibility: Open to all contributors – active duty military, reservists, veterans,
and civilians - who are eligible for USNI membership. The essay must be original and not
published or under consideration for publication elsewhere.
    b. Length: 3,000 words maximum, excluding footnotes, endnotes and sources.
    c. Prizes: First prize - $6,000. Second prize - $3,000. Third prize - $2,000. Some
entrants will be awarded a one year USNI membership. All winning essays will be announced
and published in the May 2019 issue of Proceedings. Essays not earning prizes will be
considered for publication in future issues of Proceedings.
    d. Submission Deadline: 31 December 2018. Note: Essays are submitted directly to USNI and
the Coast Guard plays no role in selecting the winning essays. Applicants shall ensure
entries conform to Chapter 6, sections (A) through (C) of REF (A).
    e. Additional details: https://www.usni.org/essay-contest/general-prize-essay-contest/.
4. Other Essay Contests and Writing Opportunities.
    a. Essay Contests. In addition to its flagship General Prize Essay Contest, the Naval
Institute sponsors other essay contests throughout the year including the Coast Guard, Cyber,
Emerging and Disruptive Technology, Enlisted, Leadership, Marine Corps, Naval History, Naval
Intelligence, Naval Mine Warfare, and Midshipman and Cadet essay contests. For details see:
https://www.usni.org/essay-contests/.
    b. Other Writing Opportunities. Authors can also submit articles year round for
publication in Proceedings or Naval History magazines, Proceedings Today (online), and the
Naval Institute Blog (online). For details see: https://www.usni.org/magazines/submissions.
5. POCs.
    a. For additional information on USNI, contact RDML Jack Vogt (Anthony.J.Vogt@uscg.mil),
the Coast Guard's representative to the U.S. Naval Institute.
    b. For additional information on professional writing for USNI, including essay contests,
contact CAPT Greg Stump (Gregory.G.Stump@uscg.mil), CAPT Holly Harrison
(Holly.Harrison@uscg.mil), CDR Brian Smicklas (Brian.A.Smicklas@uscg.mil) or CDR Grant
Thomas (Joseph.G.Thomas@uscg.mil) who currently serve or have served as elected members of
the Naval Institute's editorial board.
6. ADM Charles W. Ray, Vice Commandant, sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.