Essay Competition 2014

SRI LANKA NAVY ESSAY COMPETITION
1.
Sri Lanka had to confront a violent insurgency aimed at establishing a
separate state in the Northern and Eastern provinces for nearly three decades. With
the defeat of the LTTE, the violent means of the insurgence movement were
eliminated by mid 2009. Sri Lanka Navy played a pivotal role along with other
armed forces to bring back normalcy to the Motherland.
However, the
development of necessary infrastructure and the human resources essential to
acquire the level of operational capabilities and sustaining same over a long period
did not materialize as easily and as speedily as many would think. Men in the
profession of arms understand (and need to understand) the complexities involved
and the time required to evolve a Navy in to a force worthy of recognition.
2.
Hence, there is a common understanding that the core competencies
acquired during the three decades of conflict while structuring and remodeling the
Navy to face both conventional and asymmetric threats should not be allowed to
fade away. These gains need to be nurtured, preserved, refined and passed down to
the next generations of officers who will have to take the helm of the Navy in the
future.
3.
Even more important is to understand the role played by officers of
different seniority in different capacities at strategic, operational and tactical
levels. Developing a Naval strategy during a conflict involves diversified areas
such as training, exercises, operational planning, maintaining of the fleet, logistics,
1
technical support, health and fitness, administration, and welfare etc. A most
important but not widely accepted fact is the understanding of the whole of
government approach required, incorporating all elements of national power
to
maintain a long drawn conflict. For such an understanding the ability for
a
comprehensive assessment of the internal, regional and international dynamics is
essential. Hence the need for a continuous learning process through different
modalities.
4.
In this context it is felt that encouraging officers to analyze and logically put
forward arguments in different dynamics discussed above in oral and written form
is of vital importance to develop professional competence of officers. This is
especially so, since the Navy is one of the most important organs of the National
Security structure. Added to this context is the strategic maritime location Sri
Lanka is situated.
5.
Until and unless the professional aptitudes in tactical, operational and
strategic thinking of officers are improved, the Navy will not be best placed to
serve the nation and secure the future demands of national interests. As the country
is lying in a transit maritime space between the East and the West and is aspiring
to become the maritime hub of the region, Sri Lanka Navy needs to rise to the
occasion. Therefore SLN today is endeavoring to further transform in to a Navy
with the necessary capacity, capability and professional expertise to meet this
rising demands.
6.
In this endeavor all Naval officers are required to broaden their horizons and
be competent enough to play a constructive role to achieve the desired objectives
of our Navy. In this journey of achieving excellence through knowledge and skills,
reading and writing will be essential tools. Future Naval personnel are required to
be well read and informed to be in par with their counterparts across the world.
2
Importance of Writing & Research
7.
The ability to write well is an essential skill for all Naval officers. A good
piece of writing has to be well-structured and easy to understand. Good writing
skills are very helpful in convincing one‟s arguments, in which ideas are integrated
from the relevant literature for support. Critical thinking plays a vital role and
connects ideas and synthesizes the information. When one thinks critically one
will be able to provide original perspectives and add new insights.
8.
Writing also bolsters the overall comprehension through building
knowledge about a topic. The topic has to be introduced clearly, creating an
organizational structure in which related ideas are grouped to support it. Learning
to present important information in an organized piece of writing therefore, is
essential to improve one‟s writing skills.
9.
Research enables us to be aware of the breadth and depth of the current
knowledge. By doing research, one will be able to contribute productively to the
fields he/she has specialized in, thus paving the way for the advancement of
knowledge.
Competition
10.
In this backdrop the Naval Headquarters has decided to conduct an annual
essay competition titled “Sri Lanka Navy Essay Competition.” It is expected
that the competition will generate a great deal of enthusiasm among participants
and instill the desire to engage in research to achieve professional excellence.
3
11.
Eligibility. The competition is open to all serving officers of SLN. Taking
part in the competition will be compulsory for all officers undergoing Sub
Lieutenant‟s courses and for all Phase 2 Midshipmen. However, the competition
will be evaluated and conducted in two levels;
a.
Commander and above
b.
Lieutenant Commander and below
Conducting Authority
12.
There will be two levels:-
a.
At Command Level - Conducting Authority will be the AAs.
b.
At NHQ Level - Selected essays will be forwarded to NHQ by AAs
and Commander of the Navy will be the Conducting Authority and he will
designate a board of officers to conduct the competition at the NHQ level.
Guidelines & Rules
13.
a.
Security Classification. The content of each essay is to be
unclassified.
b.
Author’s Certificate. A signed Author‟s Certificate (see Annex)
endorsed by Commanding Officer, HOD or AA as appropriate is to be
submitted with each essay.
c.
Language. The Essays are to be submitted in English.
4
d.
Format/Length. Each essay is to be prepared on “A-4” sized paper in
font type „Times New Roman (size 14) with a line-spacing of 1.5, using
Microsoft Word‟ and is to be between 2,500 and 3,000 words in length
exclusive of footnotes.
e.
Acknowledgement and Reference. Acknowledgement to source
material is to be provided by way of footnotes and a comprehensive
bibliography using the system stipulated by The Oxford Style, available in
the World Wide Web.
f.
Plagiarism. Detection of plagiarism will be cause for immediate
disqualification from the competition followed by appropriate action.
Assessment of Entries
14.
a.
Assessment Authorities. The Command Level assessment panels
will be appointed by AA‟s and the NHQ Level panel will consist of retired
Naval officers.
b.
Assessment Criteria. Essays will be judged against the following
criteria:
(1).
Content
60%
(2).
Originality of approach
10%
(3).
Authenticity of research
10%
(4).
Linguistic Proficiency
20%
5
c.
Assessment Board. For the AA Level, the Assessment Board will
consist of Commodore and above rank officers appointed by AAs.
(However participation of senior officers of the area should not be
restricted, assuming that such officers will have to sit on the assessment
board). All senior officers are encouraged to participate in the competition.
In case of all senior officers in the Area have participated in the competition
alternative methods will be introduced to form assessment boards. NHQ
Level board will consist of retired officers of the Sri Lanka Navy.
Prizes
15.
The prizes for each category are as follows:-
a.
1st Prize
– Rs. 100,000/=
b.
2nd Prize
– Rs. 75,000/=
c.
3rd Prize
– Rs. 50,000/=
d.
Prize Winning Essays. They will be published in appropriate media
giving due recognition.
e.
Non-Prize Winning Essays. They will be returned to the respective
authors.
6
Copyright
16.
Once submitted, essay copyright will automatically transfer to the
Conducting Authority and after the list of prize winning essays is announced /
promulgated, the copyright of essays not selected for prizes will be automatically
transferred back to the respective authors.
Topics and Submissions
17.
a.
Topics. The topics for this year‟s competition are as follows;
(1).
“A wave of violence based on religion and sectarian extremism
is surging through West Asia / Middle East. In your assessment what
are the reasons for this alarming situation and the possible fallout for
countries like Sri Lanka.”
(2).
Motivated people are force multipliers." a proper performance
appraisal is a key to motivation. There is a need to understand how
satisfied and how much of confidence officers have, in the existing
performance appraisal system of officers in the SLN. It is also
important to asses as to what is the general impression of the officers
on the positive effects of the current appraisal system in their career
development.
In this background write an essay on "The existing Officers
performance appraisal system in the SLN (NAV 206) and the areas of
improvement required to make it more effective for officer's career
development"
7
(3). " What should be the immediate millstones the SLN should aim
to achieve, in respect of maritime security and shaping the
environment for economic progress with a large emphasis on
becoming a Maritime Hub in the South Asia."
(4).
“With the existing peaceful and stable security environment
enjoyed by Sri Lanka, what do you think is the most prudent strategy
the country should pursue to achieve increase economic and social
progress.” You May support and justify your arguments taking
examples and case studies from the world, of countries which have
risen after conflicts / wars.
(5)
The Navy boasts on a Divisional System that has proven to
motivate and help to develop its sailor cadre professionally and
personally. However, in the recent past we observe that there is an
increased number of AWL and in-disciplinary cases reported,
especially where sailors and officers are alleged to be addicted to
drugs, pornography, gambling, engaged in polygamy, child abuse
and women abuse. One may even consider this to be a social
problem that has crept into the Navy as it is a part of the society. In
your opinion where and how should these be addressed, is it through
the recruitment process, training, divisional system, counseling,
punishment or any other method?
In this context write on “How best the SLN should proceed in
improving the existing Divisional System to prevent unsocial behavior
such as child abuse, women abuse, addiction to drugs, pornography
and gambling which has shown an increase in reported incidents in
the recent past”.
8
(6).
The earth has warmed and cooled many times during the 4.65
billion years of its history creating different ages. At present Earth
appears to be facing a rapid warming including the average
temperature of the atmosphere, oceans, and landmasses. This
temperature rise is expected to melt polar ice caps and glaciers as
well as warm the oceans, all of which will expand ocean volume and
raise sea level flooding some coastal regions and even entire islands.
Hence, the phenomenon “Global Warming” has become a most
critical threat to the Island Nations today.
In this scenario write an essay “the challenges that Sri Lanka would
face due to global warming, and what short term and long term
measures you propose to minimize its effects to Sri Lanka”
b.
Each year the topics will be promulgated through a Navy General
Signal and individuals are to submit their essays as per the guidelines
indicated.
c.
AA Level. Each entry is to be forwarded to the respective Area
Authority by authors in a sealed envelope marked “Sri Lanka Navy Essay
Competition – Area Selection”. Officers of the Fleet Units also are to
forward their essays to respective AA‟s where they are attached to.
d.
NHQ Level. Each Area Authority is to forward the selected entries as
indicated below (in any group), to the Commander of the Navy with
attention to Naval Assistant to the Commander of the Navy, for Final
Selection in a sealed envelope marked “Sri Lanka Navy Essay Competition
– Final Selection”.
9
e.
(1).
ENA -
12
(2).
WNA -
10
(3).
NNA -
03
(4).
NCC -
03
(5).
NWNA -
02
(6).
SNA -
03
(7).
SENA -
02
If AAs consider that there are more than above number of well
written essays are available in their respective Commands they also may be
forwarded/
f.
Officers who are abroad on training are to submit their Essays
through Director General Training.
g.
Last Date of Submission. Essays must be submitted by authors for
Area Selection on or before 31st December each year. Each Area
Commander should forward selected essays for final selection on or before
31st January of following year.
h.
Results. Results will be announced through a Navy General Signal on
completion of final assessment by the board.
10
AUTHOR'S CERTIFICATE
I herebycertify that
I havenot usedany classifiedinformationandlormaterialwhile writing theessay.
I havereadandunderstand
the rulesof the competition.
I understandthat thejudge's decisionis final and that no correspondence
will be
enteredinto in that resard.
Signature:
RankandName:
PostalAddress:
ContactDetails:
E-mailaddress:

Download Report