Benjamin “BJ” Armstrong, editor of our just-published 21st Century Mahan, is the 2013 recipient of the Navy League’s Alfred Thayer Mahan Award for Literary Achievement, a highly prestigious award for an officer at the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
The Alfred Thayer Mahan Award is named for the famous naval theorist who, through his writing, provided vital stimulus and guidance to those who share in the defense of the nation. Presented since 1957, this award for literary achievement is awarded to a Navy officer, Marine Corps officer, enlisted service member, or civilian who has made a notable literary contribution that has advanced the knowledge of the importance of sea power in the United States. BJ follows in the footsteps of many notable Naval Institute authors…including ADM James G. Stavridis, USN, CAPT Henry (Jerry) H. Hendrix, USN, CAPT Edward L. Beach Jr., USN, VADM William P. Mack, USN, LtGen Victor Krulak, USMC, Dr. Jack Sweetman, LCDR Thomas J. Cutler, USN, Dr. John T. Mason Jr., Paul Stillwell, Col Joseph H. Alexander, USMC (Ret.), BGen Edwin H. Simmons, USMC (Ret.), Col John G. Miller, USMC (Ret.), and ADM James L. Holloway III, USN to name just a few.
LCDR “BJ” Armstrong is a Mahan enthusiast, for whom the award is named, and has published numerous posts about him in The Proceedings, Naval History Magazine, and on the USNI blog. He is also a recipient of the Naval HIstory and Heritage Command’s Samuel Eliot Morison Supplemental Scholarship, named after Rear Adm. Samuel Eliot Morison, USNR, an eminent naval and maritime historian and winner of the Pulitzer Prize.
Proceedings
- Now Hear This – ‘If We Are to Remain a World Power’ May 2013, pg. 12
- Leadership & Command September 2012, pg. 36
- Fix Navy PME! July 2012, pg. 12
- Unleashing the MH-60S Knighthawk April 2012, pg. 78
- Nothing Like a Good Maritime Raid February 2012, pg. 40
- Are We Driving the Ship Drunk? February 2010, pg. 79
- Use Naval Rotary-Wing Airpower in Current Conflicts September 2009, pg. 77
- Who Needs Warfighting Secrets from the Boardroom? September 2007, pg. 12
Naval History
- FROM RIVER PIRATE TO MING EMPEROR June 2010, pg. 30
Posts—USNI Blog
- Professional Debate & the Battle of Ideas, WWATMD? June 10, 2013
- Globalization and Great Power Conflict, WWATMD? June 3, 2013
- Counter-Piracy & Irregular Warfare: WWATMD? May 28, 2013
- The Qualifications of a Naval Officer: WWATMD? May 20, 2013
- Military Innovation: The Gunnery Revolution, Senior Officers, and The Dreaded Staff January 30, 2013
- More than a Battle Force? WWATMD? October 19, 2012
- A2AD, WWATMD? September 24, 2012
- What’s Your Orientation? September 4, 2012
- Same Old, Same Old? July 25, 2012
- Expertise, Voice, Grit, and Listening…A Look at the Possible. June 12, 2012
- The Gritty Truth of Junior Leader Innovation June 10, 2012
- A Junior Officer and a Discovery. June 8, 2012
- Gathering by the Neosoikoi May 21, 2012
- Time to Think … and to Listen April 9, 2012
- Wisdom and Bureaucracy: WWATMD? March 15, 2012
- Laughter-Silvered Wings and Chasing the Shouting Wind… March 7, 2012
- A Militant or a Contrarian? The Passing of Christopher Hitchens December 16, 2011
- The M/V Caravos Horizon: Rotorheads and the Royal Navy in Maritime Security Operations August 31, 2011
- HH104, WWATMD… February 14, 2011
LCDR Armstrong is a naval helicopter pilot and an occasional naval historian. For more of Mahan’s writing, look for his book 21st Century Mahan: Sound Military Conclusions for a Modern Era and follow @NavalInstitute for quotes and sound military conclusions. Follow Armstrong @WWATMD.
