From the NAVAIR Headquarters Public Affairs Office

Express yourself, share your point of view and win a little cash. The U.S. Naval Institute, the independent forum on the sea services and national defense, sponsors a number of essay and photo contests on an annual basis.

The contest with the largest prize money also has a deadline looming. The “Anchoring Sea Enterprise” essay contest boasts a $15,000 first prize. The deadline for this 3500-word contest is February 28, 2006. If you have an idea on how to make the Navy more efficient and cost-effective, Sea Enterprise (the Navy’s strategic transformation initiative) wants to know. Second, third and honorable mention winners also receive substantial cash awards.

Other essay contests include the Vincent Astor Memorial Leadership essay contest (deadline February 15, 2006) on any subject relating to leadership in the sea services (first prize $1500), and the Armed Forces Joint Warfighting essay contest (deadline May 1, 2006) on any subject relating to combat issues in a joint context. First prize for this contest is $2500.

The Naval Institute also sponsors a Coast Guard essay contest (deadline May 1, 2006) on any subject related to transformation of the Coast Guard, and a Marine Corps essay contest (deadline July 15, 2006) on any subject relating the Corps’ warfighting excellence. Both of these contests are open to anyone and have a first place prize of $2000.

A Naval Intelligence essay contest is open to any military or civilian author. This year’s topic is “The Changing Role of Navy Intelligence in the Global War.” The deadline for this contest is August 1, 2006. First prize is $1000.

An Enlisted essay contest is open to active, retired and former enlisted personnel of all service branches and countries, and has an October 1, 2006 deadline. The topic can be any subject relevant to military service. First prize is $1500.

The Arleigh Burke essay contest is a 3,500 word contest open to anyone on any subject relating to the goal of the Naval Institute “to provide an open forum for those who dare to read, think, speak and write in order to advance professional, literary and scientific understanding of sea power and other issues critical to national defense.” First prize is $3000.

The institute also sponsors several photo contests: the Tom Bartlett Marine Corps photo contest, the International Navies photo contest, and the Naval and Maritime photo contest. Each of these contests offer numerous cash prizes and are open to all amateur and professional photographers.

For more information and details for each contest, go to http://www.usni.org/contests/contests.html#principles.