The Naval Instituteshould jealously guard its role as prodder, conscience, andconstructive safe haven for ideas that keep pushing the establishmentnot to be content to accept only the little challenges when the bigchallenges are out there.

Admiral James M. Loy, USCG (Ret.)
21st Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard
Chairman of the Board

Our mission: Defending America through the power of ideas.

Challenging concerned individuals to think, read, speak, and writewith the goal of keeping our nation's Sea Services strong and effective– and America secure and free – is what the U.S. Naval Institute is allabout.

For more than 130 years, we have been nurturing creative thinkerswho responsibly raise their voices on matters relating to nationaldefense.

As an independent forum that produces thoughtful periodicals,scholarly books, and stimulating seminars, the Naval Institute makes amaterial contribution to the professionalism of Sailors, Marines andCoast Guardsmen and the Sea Services they serve, and in turn plays aunique and vital role in our national security.

Through your membership in the U.S. Naval Institute:

You empower active-duty Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen toaccess strategic insights and perspectives that shape theirunderstanding of key issues that challenge America's armed forces, plusthe real-world, decision-making tools they use every day to carry outtheir missions and keep America strong, safe, and free.

You foster a stronger, more dynamic national defense by providingthe means for an indispensable, nonpartisan forum that stimulates andenables an open exchange of Sea Services commentary and discourse thatchallenges conventional wisdom and maximizes the quality ofprofessional debate.

You honor the men and women of our Sea Services by preserving theirpowerful legacy and history so that future generations may continue tovalue their service, dedication, and sacrifice.