Multiple-award Winning Naval Author Presents Book at U.S. Navy National Museum

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Lt. Cmdr. Benjamin "BJ" Armstrong presented a lecture on his recently published book "21st Century Mahan: Sound Military Conclusions for a Modern Era" at Naval History and Heritage Command's National Museum of the United States Navy, June 26.

The lecture, part of the museum's lunchtime lecture series, which focuses on Navy-history impacting authors, was followed by a question and answer session and a book signing.

Armstrong, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and an active-duty Navy helicopter pilot, is the recent winner of both the Navy History and Heritage Command's Samuel Eliot Morison Supplemental Scholarship and, coincidentally, the United States Navy League's Alfred Thayer Mahan Award for Literary Achievement. He holds a graduate degree in military history, and his writing on military innovation and naval strategy have appeared in numerous periodicals, including "Proceedings" and "Infinity Journal."

Armstrong was delighted at the recognition that NHHC had given him through the scholarship.

"It gave me great pride to know that the Navy sees value in my historical research," Armstrong said, "and it is an honor to be associated with the many great historians that have received scholarships and fellowships from NHHC in the past."

"It's more important than ever that the Navy identify and recognize its brightest young talents and naval officers who understand the lessons of our past. B.J. is certainly among our most promising young officers, and it's professionals like him that offer our Navy the perspective and critical thinking that will keep our Navy on the best course as it sails forward," said the director of NHHC, Capt. Jerry Hendrix, Ph.D.

The scholarship was given to Armstrong to support his graduate research with King's College, University of London, in which he proposes to examine case studies of irregular warfare by the U.S. Navy during the age of sail (18th - 19th centuries). The committee granting the award saw the usefulness of the dissertation with the increase in the proportion of littoral combat ships and other small combatants in the fleet. They believe that this will bring greater responsibility at lower levels of command, so irregular warfare is likely to retain its relevance. According to them, Armstrong's study looks to give junior officers knowledge of the Navy's heritage in the types of operations for which they will have responsibility, and will put the Navy's experience in recent small wars in a historical context.

Armstrong said the scholarship is a boon to anyone trying to research what may be unique Navy data.

"It will assist me in my research and in funding the travel that my studies require," Armstrong said.

An added benefit is his being able to ask some of the experts.

"It also gives me the great opportunity to get advice and suggestions from the expert historians at NHHC," Armstrong said.

Alfred Thayer Mahan, flag officer, prolific writer and prominent Navy historian, left his mark upon the U.S. Navy in many ways. His writings have spanned the subjects from historic documentation, biographic to tactical theses. His works have had tremendous influence all over the world, especially those directly concerning seapower, and have been translated into many different languages. His book "The Influence of Seapower upon History 1660-1783" is well known reference to students of naval history and strategy, but his other writings may often be disregarded in light of the current struggles of the U.S. Navy. In his book, "21st Century Mahan," Armstrong looks at a collection of five of Mahan's essays to illustrate why Mahan's work remains relevant in the 21st century and how it can help develop strategic thinking.

According to Armstrong, people misunderstand Mahan because they read only what others have said about him, not Mahan's original words. Armstrong's book studies Mahan's writings and covers a wide selection of subjects. From the challenges of bureaucratic organization and the pitfalls of staff duty, to the development of global strategy and fleet composition, to illustrations of effective combat leadership, Armstrong demonstrates that Mahan's ideas about the importance of seapower provide today's readers with a solid foundation to gain the ability to address the military and political challenges of a rapidly globalizing world.

For more information about NHHC visit www.navy.mil/local/navhist/, www.history.navy mil or Facebook at www.facebook.com/navalhistory.