2005 history contest rules

FA Journal, July-August, 2004

The US Field Artillery Association is sponsoring its 20th annual History Writing Contest with the winners' articles to be published in Field Artillery and the Association's version of the magazine, FA Journal.

To compete, submit an original, unpublished manuscript on any historical perspective of Field Artillery or fire support by 1 February 2005. The Association will award $300 for the First Place article, $150 for Second Place and $50 for Third. Selected Honorable Mention articles also may appear in Field Artillery.

Civilians or military of all branches and services, including allies, are eligible to compete. You don't have to be an Association member.

Your submission should include (1) a double-spaced typed manuscript of not more than 4,000 words with footnotes, (2) a bibliography, (3) your comprehensive biography and (4) graphics (black and white or color photographs, maps, charts, etc.) to support your article.

Your article must include an analysis of lessons learned or concepts that apply to today's Field artillery--it should not just record history or document the details of an operation. Contestants can draw from any historical period they choose.

A panel of three historians will judge the manuscripts without the authors' names. The panel will determine the winners based on the following criteria:

* Writing Clarity (40%)

* Historical Accuracy (25%)

* Usefulness to Today's Field Artillerymen (25%)

* Originality (10%)

By 1 February 2005, send the manuscript to the US Field Artillery Association, ATTN: History Writing Contest, P.O. Box 33027, Fort Sill, Oklahoma 73503-0027 (FedEx to Building 758, McNair Road). For more information, call DSN 639-5121 or 6806 or commercial (580) 442-5121/6806 or email us at history@fieldartillery.org.