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 Mar/April timeframe. 

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.

View 2020 Essay Contest Guidelines

This year’s essay submissions are due by 31 July 2020!

The following prizes will be awarded:

1st Place: $5,000 cash prize, a commemorative wall plaque, a 5-year membership to NIP and a one-year USNI membership. 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

Past Awardees

2019

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

2018

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”

2017

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”

2016

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”

2015

No contest

2014

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

2013

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

2012

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

2011

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

2010

No contest

2009

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

2008

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

2007

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

2006

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

2005

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

2004

1st Prize:CDR Jason Hines, USN

2003

1st Prize: LCDR Michael Studeman,USN