Coast Guard cutters Glen Harris, Wrangell, Emlen Tunnell and Maui transit in formation in the Gulf of Oman, Feb. 26, 2022. Photo by Army Cpl. DeAndre Dawkins. 220226-A-AI379-760M.JPG
The US Naval Institute (USNI) has announced its 2022 Coast Guard Essay Contest. Prizes are $5000, $2500, and $1500, but more important is the opportunity to get you ideas aired.
Submission Guidelines
- Open to all contributors — active-duty, military, reservists, veterans, and civilians.
- Essays must be no more than 2,500 words, excluding end notes and sources. Include word count on title page of the essay.
- Essays are judged in the blind. Do not include author name(s) on the title page or within the body of the essay.
- Submit essay as a Word document at http://www.usni.org/cgessay no later than 30 April 2022.
- Essay must be original and not previously published (online or in print) or being considered for publication elsewhere.
If you make a submission, and if it is not accepted for publication by the USNI, send it to me, and I will consider publishing it.
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 
“Is this OPENED to U.S. Citizens, only?”
No, USNI routinely has not US contributors. The prize winning essays for the last three years are listed and all were written by active or reserve Coast Guardsmen. That is likely to continue because they are the most likely to have opinions, but as noted, “Essays are judged in the blind.”
Thank you.
This is opened to ALL readers of USNI, including citizens, non-citizens, and non-military members.
However, the winning trend has usually been those who are in active service…usually, but not always. I’ve asked the Editor-in-Chief this very question and he has welcomed all. I have submitted, but I have not won. Sometimes the USNI essay is so good (but not winning) that it is published in their USNI Blog for free with no payment to the author.
ALL essays get read, however, so if you have a good idea, send in an essay and who knows, it might change USCG, US Navy, or USMC future ways and acquisitons.
Oh, and non-military members who have submitted have indeed won First Place. It’s rare, but it did happen as the USNI Editor told and proved to me with samples.