Overview

For more than two decades William S. Sims was at the forefront of naval affairs. From the revolution in naval gunnery to his development of torpedo boat and destroyer operations, he was a central figure in preparing the U.S. Navy for World War I. During the war, he served as the senior naval commander in Europe and was instrumental in the establishment of the convoy system. Following the war his leadership as president of the Naval War College established the foundation of the creative and innovative Navy that developed the operating concepts for submarines and aircraft carriers leading up to World War II. Despite his dramatic impact on the U.S. Navy, Sims' books and articles are often overlooked. His lessons are especially important for today's military, facing budget cuts as well as missions in transition. This book is a collection of Adm. William Sims' written work, and it investigates his relevance in addressing the questions facing today's military personnel and policymakers.

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9781612518107

Table of Contents

Reviews

""The essays are followed by an epilogue in which Armstrong provides an insight into what Sims' contemporaries thought of him. It reinforces the view of Sims as a man who was idolized by junior officers as the man who 'attacked cherished beliefs as shams.' 21st Century Sims is essential reading for the student of naval strategy; it is also highly recommended for those interested in innovation and civil-military relations."" -Warship 2016 'Reading and learning from past innovation and from reform leaders like Sims can provide both inspiration and important lessons learned for today's officers.' Armstrong effectively combines a great selection of Sims's works, contextualizes these works well, and provides insightful commentary.' Military Review ""This reviewer has no hesitation recommending the enjoyable and informative essays presented, all ably arranged and supported by the commentary of Benjamin Armstrong. Enlightening to the more junior, even senior officers will gain a better understanding of one of the service's leading lights and take something of value away."" - International Journal of Naval History

This is the second in a series (the first was 21st Century Mahan ) which aims to give a contemporary perspective on the work of the great strategists of the past, taking a selection of their writings and placing them alongside short introductory essays which demonstrate their relevance today. The editor, Benjamin Armstrong, is to be congratulated on his format and his choice of material. His own words never overpower those of Sims (the introductions are never more than three or four pages) and, crucially, he does not tell the reader what to think. He does, however, adroitly pull out the major points. There are six articles by Sims in the book, mostly culled from the USNI Proceedings magazine, and they range from discussions on preparations for war ('if ships that have never been trained together as a fleet were to fight a battle' [they would be] 'outmanoeuvred and beaten') to promotion ('Before 1900, promotion in the Navy was solely by seniority. The requirements were: keep your digestion in order and refrain from striking your superior officer. The result was inevitable; all were promoted except the notoriously too bad, and they had to be really bad'). But what is Sims' legacy? Gunnery? Destroyers? Convoys? Education? It is probably much simpler than any of those. It is probably the fact that he encouraged others to be as annoying as he was. Why do we do it that way? Not good enough. Why? Why? Why? And now? Will we be afflicted by military conservatism in the next defence review? This book won't provide the answer to that, but it might stir the blood a little. Armstrong dedicates it to the 'Society for the Repression of Ignorant Assumption.' How do I join? Recommended. --The Naval Review

In his new book, 21st Century Sims, USN LCDR Benjamin F. Armstrong introduces this largely forgotten strategist to a new generation. In an accessible volume that builds on his prior work on Mahan, Armstrong introduces Sims to the reader, and then intersperses commentary with original writing from Sims for the rest of the book. This smart choice not only gives readers context to understand Sims' ideas in their own time, along with potential applications today, but also lets Sims speak for himself. Armstrong's commentary throughout the book is striking, well-written, and offers many relevant insights into critical issues facing the U.S. military today. This book is highly recommended not just for those interested in naval strategy, but those interested in military strategy, military innovation, and civil-military relations more broadly. --WarOnTheRocks.com

Author Information

CDR Benjamin ""BJ"" Armstrong, USN, is a former search and rescue helicopter pilot and associate professor of war studies and naval history at the U.S. Naval Academy. He is the author or editor of four books and several dozen articles on naval history and strategy, and the recipient of the Alfred Thayer Mahan Award for Literary Achievement and the Lyman Book Award from the North American Society of Oceanic History.

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