usni essay contest winners

• National Leadership
• NIP Chair Update
• Become a Member
• Member Login
• The Foundation Committee
• The “Red Tie” Award
• RADM Shapiro Scholarship Program
• ISI Programme Scholarship
• Essay Contest
• Foundation History
• Project 2032
• USS Midway CVIC Restoration Project
• NIP Bookshelf
• Professional Articles

Naval Intelligence Essay Contest

The NIP Essay Contest is conducted in cooperation with the United States Naval Institute (USNI). Rules and deadlines are promulgated through an ALLNIP email and published on both the NIP and USNI websites during the March/April timeframe. Entries are due by the end of July. Winners are usually announced in early September.

Each year NIP will identify a theme pertaining to maritime intelligence or intelligence support to naval forces. Any author (officer, enlisted, military or civilian, foreign or domestic) is eligible to enter with an original composition related to the annual theme.

The CHALLENGE this year: In the face of continued Chinese military modernization and Russian agression, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs has assessed that the “potential for significant international conflict is increasing.” The 2022 National Defense Strategy directs the services to “act urgently to sustain and strengthen deterrence.” Faced with this deteriorating environment, this year’s Naval Intelligence Essay Contest challenges you to think about how Naval Intelligence supports naval power across the Sea Services.

Entries for the 2024 Essay Contest are due 31 July 2024!

The following prizes will be awarded:

1st Place:  $5,000 cash prize,  a 1-year membership to NIP and USNI. Additionally, the first place essay will be published in USNI’s Proceedings . 2nd Place:  $2,500 case prize, a 1-year membership to both NIP and USNI 3rd Place:  $1,500 cash prize, a 1-year membership to both NIP and USNI 

Contest Status:

Entries due:.

1st Place: "Preparing Intelligence Officers for the Undersea Fight" By Lieutenant Commander Andrew Kramer, USN , Lieutenant Corey Grey, USN , and Lieutenant Commander Larry Green, USNR

2nd Place: "Lessons from an Intelligence Officer on Ukraine's Front-Line" By Mr. Austin Gray

3rd Place:  "Special Delivery: Building Better Intelligence Support for Logistics" By Major William S. (Stone) Holden, USMC

Essay Contest News

2019 Intelligence Essay Contest Award Winners

2018 Prize Winning Essay by CAPT Dale Rielage

US Naval Institute-NIP 2017 Essay Contest Update

2016 Naval Intelligence Essay Contest: First & Second Place Awards

2016 Naval Intelligence Essay Contest: Third Place Award for "What is Past is Prologue."

2016 Naval Intelligence Essay Contest Winners!  

Awardees 

1st Place: "Alone and Afraid: Revitalizing the Enlisted Ship’s Intelligence Officer" (NIEC #11-22) By Chief Petty Officer John Minor, USN

2nd Place: "Navy and Marine Corps Intelligence Integration Through Force Design 2030" (NIEC #21-22) By Captain Robert Holmes, USMC

3rd Place: "Lesson from Ukraine: Assessing Capability is More than Just Counting Guns" (NIEC #17-22) By Robert McKeown

1st Place: “Warhols, Kennans and Murrays: A Concept for Professional Development Across the Naval Intelligence Community” - By Lieutenant Kyle Cregge, USN and Lieutenant Shane Halton, USN 2nd Place: “Human Geography for Intelligence Advantage” - By Major Brian Kerg, USMC 3rd Place: “Persistent Forward Employment for Maritime Reconnaissance and Counterreconnaissance” - By Captain Michael Van Liew, USMC

1st Place: CDR Christopher Nelson, USN and Andrew Rhodes: “Strike A Balance: Embrace Analog Tools in a Digital Intelligence Profession”   ( Reprinted from  Proceedings  with permission; Copyright © 2020 U.S. Naval Institute/ www.usni.org .) 2nd Place: Maj Brian Kerg, USMC: “Naval Intelligence for Maritime COIN” 3rd Place: LT Sean Margot, USN and LCDR Tyson Meadors, USN:  “HC SVNT DRACONES — There Be Dragons”  

1st Prize:   Commander J. Michael Dahm, USN (Ret) 2nd Prize:   Commander Christopher Nelson, USN and Eric Pedersen 3rd Prize:  LT Commander James Landreth, USN

1st Prize:  1LT Christian Helmer Heller, USMC -   “Rethinking Counterintelligence: The 21st Century Need for Multi-Discipline Task-Organized Teams”   2nd Prize:  LCDR Wolf Melbourne, USN -  “Ten Years on the Beach” 3rd Prize:  LT William N. Murray, USN -  “Want to Win Great Power Competition? Professionalize Initial Naval Intelligence Officer Training Now”

1st Prize:   CDR Heather Bothwell, USNR -   “Lessons from Cold War History: Man, Train and Equip the Navy to Know Tomorrow’s Adversary” 2nd Prize:   CAPT William R. Bray, USN (Ret.) -  “Intelligence Needs Regional Career Paths” 3rd Prize:   CAPT Dale C. Rielage, USN -  “Ocean Surveillance for the Future”

1st Prize:   LT Andreas Xenachis, USNR -  “Nurturing a Revolution in Decision-Making Through Improved Geopolitical Foresight”   - $5,000 + 1-year USNI Membership 2nd Prize:  CDR J. Michael Dahm, USN -  “Integrate to Dominate”   - $2,500 + 1-year USNI Membership 3rd Prize:  CDR Nathaniel (Nate) Bailey, USNR -  “What Is Past Is Prologue”

1st Prize:  Captain Mark D. Houff, USN 2nd Prize:  Ms. Reychal Windham 3rd Prize:  First Lieutenant Adam Davis, USA

1st Prize : Commander Mark D. Houff, USN 2nd Prize:  Mr. Ryan D. Martinson 3rd Prize:  Ms. Jacquelyn Schneider

1st Prize:  Commander Mark D. Houff, USN 2nd Prize:  Mr. Thanh Dinh 3rd Prize:  Ms. Jacquelyn Schneider

1st Prize:  Mr. Steve Coonen 2nd Prize:  LT Daniel T. Murphy, USN 3rd Prize-Expeditionary:   LTC Gregory Motes, USA

1st Prize:   CDR D. Mark Houff, USN 2nd Prize:   CAPT Mark D. Dowd, USNR

1st Prize:  CAPT Paul B. Becker, USN 2nd Prize:   LTJG Edward P. Wynne, USN

1st Prize:   LCDR Rory Berke, USN 2nd Prize:  LCDR Robert F. Hight, Jr, USN

1st Prize:   Mr. Jose Delgado 2nd Prize:   LT David Barr, USN

1st Prize:  LCDR James Griffin, USN 2nd Prize:  CDR William R. Bray, USN

1st Prize:   CDR Jason Hines, USN

1st Prize:   LCDR Michael Studeman,USN

QUICK LINKS

Naval Intelligence Professionals PO Box 11579 Burke, Virginia 22009-1579

[email protected]

CONNECT WITH US!

© 2024 Naval Intelligence Professionals. All rights reserved. | Website design and development by Cat's Eye Design .

Naval Postgraduate School

Where Science Meets the Art of Warfare

NPS Student's Analysis of Naval Aviation Wins Foundation/USNI Essay Contest

Nps student's analysis of naval aviation wins foundation/usni essay contest.

MC1 Nathan K. Serpico   |  June 8, 2022

U.S. Navy Ensign Sarah Clark, middle, is recognized for her win in the 2022 NPS Foundation/U.S. Naval Institute (USNI) Annual Essay Contest by USNI Proceedings Editor-in-Chief retired Navy Capt. Bill Hamblet, left, and NPS President retired Vice Adm. Ann E. Rondeau. Clark's essay, "Pilot Identity Crisis," explores the cultural impact of uncrewed aircraft on Naval Aviation. (U.S. Navy photo by MC2 James Norket)

Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) student U.S. Navy Ensign Sarah Clark was recently named the winner of the 2022 NPS Foundation/U.S. Naval Institute (USNI) Annual Essay Contest for her piece, “Pilot Identity Crisis,” exploring the cultural impact of uncrewed aircraft on Naval aviation. Her essay will be published in the September edition of USNI’s “Proceedings,” an issue focused on Naval aviation.

Clark derived her essay from the thesis she is currently working on for her master’s degree, which she is slated to receive at NPS’ upcoming Spring Quarter graduation on June 17. According to Clark, she chose to write about Naval aviation identity and culture because she wanted a topic that combined her future as a pilot and her interests of airplanes and psychology.

“The Navy, like many organizations, has a historical trend of downplaying the psychological impact of technological transitions, which negatively impacts the service’s effectiveness,” stated Clark. “The purpose of my thesis is to emphasize that the psychological identity of Naval aviators must undergo changes concurrently with the changes in aviation technology, such as the development of uncrewed aircraft. My essay identifies some of the identity and cultural factors impacted by uncrewed aircraft and aims to help Naval aviation leadership minimize pilot resistance to newer uncrewed aircraft and their respective pilots to successfully integrate unmanned platforms into the Naval aviator identity.”

Clark credits her class officer during her time at the Naval Science Institute in Newport, Rhode Island, as the initial spark for the idea of submitting an essay in one of the USNI essay contests. She also hopes that this contest will help her thesis to reach more people than those who may find it in Calhoun , NPS’ digital repository for research materials and institutional publications created by the NPS community.

Clark recalled being in NPS’ Dudley Knox Library one evening when she received the e-mail saying she had been selected as the winner.

“I was surprised, excited and nervous,” said Clark. “I immediately jumped up and ran to the other side of the room to my friend and shared the news, still jumping. I couldn’t believe I had won.

“I’m happy and honored to be included with the distinguished few who have won the award in previous years,” she continued.

Clark emphasized how glad she was that she decided to add to her already full school workload and submit her work to the competition. Even if she had not been selected, she says, it still would have been worth it.

“The topics and events discussed in this essay will impact my career for as long as I am in the Navy,” Clark said. “The world of warfighting is constantly changing, and we need to be ready for all of the changes new technologies bring.”

The NPS Foundation/USNI Annual Essay Contest is jointly co-sponsored by the NPS Foundation and USNI to encourage writing for publication and critical thinking among NPS students, faculty and staff.  

MEDIA CONTACT  

Office of University Communications 1 University Circle Monterey, CA 93943 (831) 656-1068 https://nps.edu/office-of-university-communications [email protected]

• 2022 USNI & MINWARA Essay Winners

History of the Contest:

In 2012 the Mine Warfare Association leadership approached the U.S. Naval Institute with the idea of sponsoring an essay contest exploring the subject of mine warfare. The Institute was immediately interested in supporting such a program, and agreed to an inaugural essay contest in 2013, with the objective of making it an annual event going forward.

The Challenge:

Address the strategic, operational, and tactical use of 21st-century U.S. Navy mine warfare, offensive and defensive mining, mine countermeasures, and EOD technologies, systems, and platforms. Specifically, consider and examine the disruptive advantages as well as the difficulties of delivering and employing large-scale but affordable mine warfare capability and capacity to U.S. and allied combat fleets and littoral expeditionary forces as they execute joint all-domain distributed maritime operations, expeditionary advanced base operations, and littoral operations in a contested environment against peer adversaries.

2022 Winners:

FIRST PRIZE: $1,500

“ Why Mine Warfare? Disputing Chinese Sea Control Through Offensive Sea Mining” By Commander Victor T. Duenow, USN

SECOND PRIZE: $750

“Mine Exploitation: What Happens When the Fleet Has to Clear Modern, Unknown Mines?” By Commander Marc G. Tranchemontagne, USN Lieutenant Commander Christopher Price, USN

THIRD PRIZE: $500

“Minelayers are still relevant, distribute lethality, one mine at a time” By Captain Edward Lundquist, USN (Ret) 

You may also like...

2015 Industry Day Presentations

Bridge on the River Kwai

Naval Mine Warfare for U.S. Naval Forces

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Next story CAPT Paul X. Rinn,USN (Ret)
• Previous story 2021 USNI & MINWARA Essay Winners

Recent Posts

• INVISIBLE BLOCKADES AND STRATEGIC COERCION
• CAPT Paul X. Rinn,USN (Ret)
• 2021 USNI & MINWARA Essay Winners
• Need to Know: Not Your Grandfather’s Weapons that Wait

Recent Comments

• December 2022
• August 2022
• November 2020
• August 2020
• October 2018
• September 2018
• January 2018
• December 2016
• September 2016
• August 2016
• December 2015
• December 2014
• Corporate Members
• Essay Contest
• Forum Update
• History Locker
• Industry Days
• Uncategorized

(e.g. [email protected])

Remember me

Forgot Password?

• SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LLOYD J. AUSTIN III
• Combatant Commands
• Holiday Greetings Map
• Taking Care of Our People
• Focus on the Indo-Pacific
• Support for Ukraine
• Value of Service
• Face of Defense
• Science and Technology
• Publications
• Storytellers
• Media Awards
• Hometown Heroes
• Create Request
• Media Press Kit

• DVIDS DIRECT

Hometown News

Media requests, about dvids.

• Privacy & Security
• Copyright Information
• Accessibility Information
• Customer Service

And the Winner of the U.S. Naval Institute General Prize Essay Contest is…

Photo By Holly Carey | Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Vandenengel official photo. ... read more read more

Photo By Holly Carey | Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Vandenengel official photo.   see less | View Image Page

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES

Story by petty officer 2nd class alfred coffield  , commander, submarine force atlantic.

Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Vandenengel, assigned to Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic in Norfolk, Virginia, was announced as the U.S. Naval Institute General Prize Essay Contest award winner, April 30. The Naval Institute presented the award during their annual meeting which featured guest speaker Adm. James Foggo, commander, Naval Forces Europe and Africa, and Allied Joint Force Command-Naples. In his speech, Foggo attested to the importance of having a platform “to read, think, speak, and write” through a professional organization for the sea services. A platform that allowed him to publish his first article thirty years ago as a lieutenant. Vandenengel took motivation in that moment of the admiral’s speech. “It is always interesting to see what senior leaders were writing when they were junior officers or young petty officers,” Vandenengel said. “The U.S. Naval Institute has a long history of featuring the works of prominent naval leaders before they became renowned, including admirals William Sims, Chester Nimitz, James Stavridis and James Foggo. It should serve as motivation for the rest of us to think boldly and publish our own thoughts.” The idea for Naval Institute essay contests was first proposed by Lt. Cmdr. Allan D. Brown May, 8, 1878. The contest was designed for young naval officers to write on professional subjects. Currently, the Naval Institute sponsors 14 essay contests a year. Vandenengel’s essay, 100,000 Tons of Inertia, focuses on the success the Navy has had at overcoming resistance to change. It highlights that the Navy will likely one day decide to shift to a new fleet structure, one where the aircraft carrier is no longer the U.S symbol of power. In an attempt to avoid the debate over whether the Navy should keep building large nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, Vandenengel wanted to explore a different angle. “I want to stress my article is not about whether or not we should stop building aircraft carriers. Instead, it is much more focused on the resistance to change present in any large organization,” Vandenengel said. “Executing a shift to a new fleet structure will be difficult, but the Navy has the right people to persevere and field the best fleet possible in service of the nation.” Vandenengel used his experience as a submarine officer to help analysis research and develop solutions in his writing. “Submariners tend to be very analytical in part due to our rigorous nuclear training,” Vandenengel said. “That has certainly affected my writing, where I do a lot of research, thoroughly examine all aspects, and methodically address the problem. The submarine force has taught me how to rationally examine a problem, identify the root cause, and develop robust solutions, hopefully making me a better writer.” Vandenengel was shocked when he found out his article won, but thanked his fellow submarine officers for support throughout the writing process. “I was surprised and thankful. Several fellow submariners helped edit my work for submission and provided invaluable feedback,” Vandenengel said. “Without them, I doubt my article would have done well at all.” Vandenengel continues to write as a hobby, and encourages other shipmates to submit their own articles. He credits the submarine community for impacting his life for the better since deciding to join the military, and hopes to see more submariners in print soon. “The Submarine Force has given me the chance to live out my dream job,” Vandenengel said. “Within this community, my fellow submariners and I have participated in exciting missions around the world and worked with an incredible group of men and women. Unless I find an office job that lets me shoot torpedoes, I will be sticking with the Submarine Force.” Get more information about the Navy from U.S. Navy Facebook or Twitter. For more news from Commander, Submarine Forces, visit www.navy.mil/local/sublant/ For more information on the U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings visit https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings

PUBLIC DOMAIN  

This work, And the Winner of the U.S. Naval Institute General Prize Essay Contest is… , by PO1 Alfred Coffield , identified by DVIDS , must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright .

CONNECTED MEDIA

MORE LIKE THIS

Controlled vocabulary keywords.

No keywords found.

•   Register/Login to Download

DVIDS Control Center

• 404-282-1450
• [email protected]

Web Support

• [email protected]
• 1-888-743-4662
• Links Disclaimer
• No FEAR Act
• Small Business Act
• Open Government
• Strategic Plan
• Inspector General
• Sexual Assault Prevention
• DVI Records Schedule
• DVI Executive Summary
• Section 3103

Chuck Hill's CG Blog

US Naval Institute General Essay Contest

Wanted to pass this along, and encourage participation. Note eligibility for USNI membership is essentially unlimited, so that should not be a barrier to participation. Deadline 31 Dec. The USNI page about the contest is here .

R 211703 NOV 19 FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC //CG-5R// TO ALCOAST UNCLAS //N05700// ALCOAST 366/19 COMDTNOTE 5700 SUBJ:  DEADLINE FOR U.S. NAVAL INSTITUTE’S 2019 GENERAL PRIZE ESSAY CONTEST A. Coast Guard External Affairs Manual, COMDTINST M5700.13 (series) 1. This ALCOAST announces the U.S. Naval Institute’s 2019 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 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. USNI General Prize Essay Contest. Dating back to 1879, the General Prize is the Naval Institute’s premier essay contest. Winning authors this year will join a long line of great naval thinkers and innovators, including Commander Alfred Thayer Mahan, Rear Admiral Stephen B. Luce, Lieutenant Ernest J. King, Lieutenant Commander James Stavridis, and Commander James Winnefeld. This year’s General Prize Essay Contest invites you to “dare to write to advance the professional, literary, and scientific understanding of sea power and other issues critical to national defense.” Participate in this open annual essay contest to discuss the most compelling issues, ideas, and solutions impacting the sea services. There is no restriction on topic. All essays are judged in the blind by the Naval Institute’s Editorial board composed of serving Sea Service professionals.     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: 3,000 words maximum, excluding notes and sources.     c. Prizes: First prize – $6,000. Second prize – $3,000. Third prize – $2,000.     d. Submission Deadline: The deadline for entries is 31 December 2019. The winners will be announced and published in the May 2020 Proceedings. Note: essays are submitted directly to USNI and the U.S. 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: submit the essay as a word attachment to [email protected] with “General Prize Essay Contest” in the subject line. Include word count on the title page but do not include your name on the title page or within the essay. Provide a bio and contact information in a separate attachment. 4. 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, Emerging and Disruptive Technology, 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/essay-contests .     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 . 5. RDML Douglas M. Fears, Assistant Commandant for Response Policy, sends. 6. Internet release is authorized.

Share this:

1 thought on “ us naval institute general essay contest ”.

Thanks for the heads up Chuck

Leave a comment Cancel reply

• Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
• Subscribe Subscribed
• Copy shortlink
• Report this content
• View post in Reader
• Manage subscriptions
• Collapse this bar

Get Real, Get Better with the Navy Uniform Board Process

For decades, the Navy has had a love-hate relationship with its uniforms and the way Navy leaders implement and manage changes to them. There have been many uniform successes over the years, but also a few misfires; from gender-neutral items that were really not, fire-retardant clothing that was anything but, and multiple iterations of shipboard uniforms including the ill-fated “blueberry” camouflage that made the wearer invisible both on a terrazzo deck and, unfortunately, in the ocean. Every few years a new uniform concept is researched and tested in the fleet, but where do the ideas for these changes originate and how does the fleet get a cut into that process? 

The Uniform Board

There has long been a formal uniform board tasked with the responsibility of managing the additions and changes to the Navy seabag. NAVADMIN 031/24 introduced a broad range of changes to uniform policy, one of the most significant updates in years. However, it also raised questions into how uniform governance is carried out. How are these issues selected from the myriad recommendations coming from the fleet? What is the process to get an item before the board, what items were rejected, and what is the selection process to determine what makes the cut? The current process can make changes happen, but it lacks transparency, efficiency, consistency, and fleet representation. 

The current uniform change submission process is detailed in the United States Navy Uniform Regulations (NAVPERS 15665J). It outlines a process in which Navy personnel may make uniform or uniform regulation change recommendations via their chain of command to the Navy Uniform Matters Office. Recommendations are to be submitted in letter format and should reflect Navy-wide application with an eye toward standardization and uniform policy reduction. Uniform change proposals must be endorsed via cover letter by each endorsing echelon, with the final endorsement including subject matter expert contact information. Favorably endorsed proposals are then submitted to the Navy Uniform Matters Office. 

For personnel assigned to fleet units, uniform and uniform regulation change proposals shall be evaluated and endorsed by their unit commanders, then forwarded through the chain of command up to the type commander (TyCom) N1, and then to the fleet commander N1, with the fleet commanders tasked to perform a final screening and endorsement prior to final forwarding to the Navy Uniform Matters Office. Uniform proposals not endorsed favorably at any level will not be accepted by the office. 

The Issues  Unfortunately, the path a recommendation takes to the uniform board is administratively cumbersome and fraught with peril. Say a young sailor or junior officer in the fleet has a great idea for a uniform improvement. He or she has a practical, experience-based, and peer-sanctioned proposal to present. He or she then works up the courage to route their proposal through the levels of gatekeepers (myriad of staff officers, front offices, and senior enlisted leaders and flag officers) outlined in the instruction, any of which may or may not have the desire or time to entertain it. In current form, any proposal needs about a dozen “yes” votes, but a single “no”, or loss of paperwork during routing, at any level can kill it. 

However, there is another process to solicit fleet input: Uniform Matters surveys , which strive to gather information from the fleet in 2024. The issue with surveys is that sailor input is no longer part of that process once the surveys are finished. There are also questions of transparency regarding who actually serves on the uniform board. It is not clear whether there is an application process or if these are key fleet billets whose position description includes membership on the board. It is not clear who selects the members and what criteria and fleet representation is membership based on. Unfortunately, the list of uniform board members is currently not published and leads one to wonder how diverse panel membership is and whether a good mix of warfare communities and gender, racial, ethnic, and religious constituents are represented. One author recalls an anecdote from a senior Navy leader, where the decision on the table was whether pantyhose should still be required for females. Halfway through the brief, he realized that all eight people at the front table briefing him on the topic were male. He turned to two female officers and one female chief on the couch at the edge of the briefing room, and asked, “If you had a choice, would you wear pantyhose?” 

Her response was, “I’m not my mother, so, no, if I was not required, I would never wear these things.” The policy was changed on the spot. 

Communication by the board is also a bit of a mystery. There is a “hot button” to submit questions on the MyNavyHR website, but no schedule is published for the board, and no direct fleet input is solicited by the board itself. Once a proposal makes it through the process, a NAVADMIN message is released with a list of changes, but often with little explanation as to the background or the process by which uniforms or uniform regulations were selected for update. There is also no visibility or explanation regarding why proposals were rejected. Transparency is the first step to building trust in the process. 

A final point: speed to fleet. The typical cradle-to-grave process of uniform and uniform regulations policy outlined in the instruction is far too slow. At a Joint Women’s Leadership Symposium in 2022, a young female Marine asked a senior panel if black tights could be worn at command physical training. “The guys all maneuver to get a peek up my shorts” she told the General Eric Smith, the Commandant of the Marine Corps. “It’s embarrassing!” 

It took two years for the policy to change. This is too long for something that could be changed within a matter of hours, especially when communicated directly to the service chief. On the other hand, there have been instances when the Secretary of the Navy or Chief of Naval Operations simply adjusted a policy on the spot after hearing fleet feedback at an all-hands call, such as pockets for women’s dress uniforms after the Association of Naval Service Officers and the National Naval Association (ANSO/NNOA) meeting in May 2024. Well-presented and fleet-endorsed proposals can and have been implemented quickly. 

Looking Forward

The following recommendations would preserve the rigor of the process, while improving both transparency and the openness of ideas. 1. Increase transparency by publishing the schedule for the uniform board. Host quarterly boards to discuss ideas and an annual board to make final decisions on each item. 2. Increase transparency by broadcasting the board’s deliberations. Alternatively, publish the official minutes. 3. Increase fleet representation by creating venues for direct fleet input such as in-person focus groups or video conference calls. Review inputs for a full presentation at the next board. 4. Increase transparency by publishing a list of all ideas and the arguments for and against so that all sailors can view the process. 5. Increase transparency and fleet representation by publishing the list of board members and ensuring the board comprises a mix of diverse backgrounds. 6. Increase transparency. When a NAVADMIN message is released, provide an issue paper with the detailed background, source, and disposition of each item. 7. Provide incentives to recognize individuals whose ideas are submitted and approved. A Flag Letter of Commendation from the Chief of Naval Personnel would be an excellent start. 8. Increase transparency, efficiency, and fleet representation by creating a website (e.g., a page on MyNavyHR) associated with all the current uniform regulations and pictured examples, where personnel can view the latest minutes, working ideas, rejected ideas, etc., and submit their own recommendations to the board. Eliminate the levels of endorsement bureaucracy and opportunities for gate keepers to shut down ideas. 9. Increase fleet representation by establishing diversity requirements for the board to ensure that all ranks and genders are represented as well as racial diversity. It would behoove the board to include sailors who have experienced pregnancy as well. This is not a “people” issue but a “process” one; good people are working on these issues every day but there is room for improvement. Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti’s “Get Real, Get Better” approach is supposed to empower her people to find and fix problems—and innovate—at their level, from the deckplates to senior leaders. It also expects Navy leaders to reward ownership and ingenuity, and to help remove barriers and accelerate the Navy’s warfighting advantage by unleashing its people, not by burdening them with extra requirements, policies, or bureaucracy. The uniform board governance process is an ideal way to put this approach into action. Uniforms are a critical part of the military, and they must be safe, functional, comfortable, professional, and reflect the fleet that wears them. Needed changes should be fostered through a modern and flexible governance structure and change process that best represents the Navy it serves.

John P. Cordle

Dr. Cordle is a retired Navy captain with 30 years of service. He was the 2018 Proceedings   Author of the Year, Surface Navy Association Literary Award winner in 2013 (with Dr. Nita Shattuck) and again in 2018, and has been recognized for his work in the area of circadian watch rotations and crew endurance with the Navy League John Paul Jones Award and the Bureau of Medicine Epictetus Award for Innovative and Inspirational Leadership.

Paul Kingsbury

Fleet Master Kingsbury , a retired master chief petty officer, spent more than 31 years on active service in the Navy and served in leadership positions in aircraft carriers, cruisers, amphibious ships, an aviation squadron, two overseas regions, and the naval safety center. His career culminated with his selection as the 18th Fleet Master Chief for U.S. Fleet Forces Command advising senior Navy executive leaders and their staffs and serving on a variety of military boards and panels. He served as a member of the U.S. Naval Institute’s editorial board and has published several articles on Navy policy and issues in  Proceedings , on the  USNI Blog , and in  Joint Forces Quarterly . He has received awards in both the U.S. Naval Institute General Essay and Enlisted Essay contests and is the author of the 2nd edition of  The Chief Petty Officer’s Guide  and  The Petty Officer’s Guide .  

Related Articles

Give Female Midshipmen Back Their Pockets

Stop the Uniform Madness: A Road Map for a Logical Seabag

A Logical Sea Bag

View the discussion thread.

Receive the Newsletter

Sign up to get updates about new releases and event invitations.

You've read 1 out of 5 free articles of Proceedings this month.

Non-members can read five free Proceedings articles per month. Join now and never hit a limit.