The theme of this year's CAL-NAM Essay Prize is:
Unsung Army Leaders
From famous battlefield commanders to junior cadets, anyone can be a leader. Who are those leaders who have been overlooked, misunderstood or forgotten? What was their contribution to leadership, whether in action or through their ideas? What made them stand out? And why should we remember them today?
We would like authors to think creatively about what it means to be a leader and to consider all ranks and roles, including reservists, cadets, nurses, coaches, padres and anybody who contributes to life in the Army.
We welcome essays that explore the history of Unsung Leaders in connection to Britain’s armies, including the Indian Army and other land forces serving under the Crown. Authors are encouraged to look back through history and to consider any Unsung Army Leader since the British Civil Wars.
Be creative and unique! We want challenging, fresh thinking. We look for new perspectives and innovative ideas.
Winners will be presented with their certificate at a ceremony at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on Thursday, 13 June 2024.
Winners may be offered the opportunity to publish their work as an article in the NAM Muster magazine, as a CAL Research Paper or a CAL Leadership Insight.
This category is open to young writers above the age of 22.
Essays should be no longer than 3,000 words, excluding notes and bibliography.
Essays that exceed the word limit will not be accepted.
This category is open to young writers between the ages of 16 and 21.
Essays must not be longer than 2,000 words, excluding notes and bibliography.
Essays that exceed the word limit will not be accepted.
Deadline: Friday, 22 March 2024 at 11.59pm. Late entries will not be accepted.
For further information or queries about the Leadership Essay Prize 2023, please email competitions@nam.ac.uk
Established in 1960 by Royal Charter, the National Army Museum is the United Kingdom’s leading authority on the history and traditions of the British Army. It explores the impact that soldiers from Britain, Ireland and the Commonwealth have had throughout the world, from the 17th century to the present day. Through its world-class collections, the Museum safeguards and shares the stories and values of ordinary people who have been called upon to bear extraordinary responsibilities on behalf of others.
The Centre For Army Leadership (CAL) exists to champion leadership excellence. It is the guardian of the Army Leadership Doctrine and acts as the Army’s leadership conscience, calibrating thinking across multiple sectors and, through the CAL Research Institute, ensuring conceptual rigour.
Our persistent engagement seeks to stimulate debate, awareness and critical thinking. We are committed to the betterment of the Whole Army – all ranks, Regular and Reserve, and civil servants, through-life – and altruistically, of our wider society.
We are a small and highly dedicated team and we are based at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Camberley.