ALCOAST 021/21 - JAN 2021 DEADLINE FOR THE U.S. NAVAL INSTITUTE’S ANNUAL EMERGING AND DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES ESSAY CONTEST- THE U.S. MILITARY’S LONG-COMFORTABLE TECHNOLOGICAL EDGE IS STEADILY ERODING

R 152114Z JAN 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST

UNCLAS
ALCOAST 021/21
SSIC 5726
SUBJ: DEADLINE FOR THE U.S. NAVAL INSTITUTE’S ANNUAL EMERGING
AND DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES ESSAY CONTEST- THE U.S. MILITARY’S
LONG-COMFORTABLE TECHNOLOGICAL EDGE IS STEADILY ERODING
A. Coast Guard External Affairs Manual, COMDTINST M5700.13 (series)
1. This ALCOAST announces the U.S. Naval Institute’s Emerging
and Disruptive Technologies 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 the 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 known for its flagship magazine, Proceedings
and a variety of historical and professional books.
3. Summary. The Naval Institute's Emerging and Disruptive
Technologies Essay Contest provides service members, reservists,
and civilians an opportunity to consider the next transformative
technologies and how they might be used to help the military
maintain its edge over U.S. adversaries. The Department of
Defense seeks to leverage emerging technology, focusing heavily
on autonomy, man-machine teaming and machine learning, and
innovative ways to harness new technologies with tactics,
techniques, and strategies to maintain a pacing edge over
adversaries. How should the Sea Services meld technology
and innovation to maintain our nation's advantage?
4. The Challenge. Predict the next emerging and disruptive
technologies, describe how those technologies will be used
by the U.S. military or against it, and discuss practical
approaches for fielding and wielding emerging and disruptive
technologies rapidly and getting them into the hands of the
warfighters.
    a. Eligibility: Open to all persons eligible for membership
(including existing members) in the Institute (to include U.S.
Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard). The essay must
be original and not published or being considered for publication
elsewhere.
    b. Length: 2,500 words maximum, excluding notes and sources.
    c. Prizes: First prize - $5,000. Second prize - $2,500. Third
prize - $1,500.
    d. Submission Deadline: the deadline for entries is 28 February
2021. The winning essays will be published in a future issue of
Proceedings. Note: essays are submitted directly to USNI and the
U.S. Coast Guard plays no role in selecting the winning essays.
Applicants must ensure entries conform to Chapter 6, sections (A)
through (C) of REF (A).
    e. Additional details: submit the essay as a word document
online at: www.usni.org/technologiesessay by 28 February 2021.
Include the word count on the title page, but do not include
your name on the title page or within the essay.
    f. The Proceedings staff members will evaluate every essay
and screen the top essays to a special Essay Selection Committee
of at least six members who will include two members of the Naval
Institute's Editorial Board and four subject matter experts. All
essays are judged in the blind; the Proceedings staff members and
judges will not know the authors of the essays.
5. Other Essay Contests and Writing Opportunities.
    a. Essay Contests. USNI hosts essay contests throughout the
year on a variety of topics including: Coast Guard, Cyber, Enlisted
Perspectives, Innovation & Risk, International Navies, Leadership,
Marine Corps, Naval History, Naval Intelligence, Naval Mine Warfare,
and Naval Postgraduate School Foundation/USNI. For details see:
https://www.usni.org/technologiesessay.
    b. Other Writing Opportunities. Authors can also submit articles
for publication in Proceedings or Naval History magazines, USNI
Today (online), and USNI’s Blog (online). For details see:
https://www.usni.org/periodicals/proceedings-magazine/submission-
guidelines.
6. RDML Scott W. Clendenin, Assistant Commandant for Response Policy
(CG-5R), sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.