Are you a Professional Military Education (PME) student? Imagine your winning essay appearing in a future issue of Joint Force Quarterly and a chance to catch the ear of the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) or the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) on an important national security issue. Recognition by peers await the winners.
Who's Eligible: Students at the PME colleges, schools, and other educational programs, including Service research fellows and international students.
What: Research and write an original, unclassified essay in one (or more) various categories.
When: Essays may be written during the 2024–2025 academic year. Colleges are responsible for running their own internal competitions to select nominees, and must meet these deadlines:
- April 2025: Colleges submit nominated essays to NDU Press for first-round judging
- May 2025: Final-round judging and selection of winners
For complete information and competition rules, see your college’s essay coordinator or go to: