United States Naval Institute

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The United States Naval Institute is a non-profit, professional organization in the United States related to the Navy. It is based in Annapolis, MD, and publishes the magazines Proceedings and Naval History, along with many books devoted to its membership's profession. Its CEO is Major General Thomas Wilkerson, USMC (Ret.). Many of the institute's books bear the imprint "Naval Institute Press."

Established in 1873, the Institute describes its mission as "to provide an open forum for the exchange of ideas, to disseminate and advance the knowledge of sea power, and to preserve our naval and maritime heritage."

The institute has no official ties to the United States Navy and receives no funds from it. However, the Institute is located at the U.S. Naval Academy, and the majority of authors of its professional magazine, Proceedings, are officers and sailors of the Navy.

The institute has published very few works of fiction, most notably Tom Clancy's first novel, The Hunt for Red October. Clancy had published a few articles in the Proceedings, so when he started writing a book, he offered it to the press. To his surprise, they sent him a modest advance and then published the book. The first printing sold out quickly. To Clancy's and the institute's surprise, President Reagan praised it, and the book became a best-seller. After this initial success, Clancy sent his next book to a more traditional publisher of fiction, which knew how to handle best-sellers and the large revenues they bring in. The United States Naval Institute continues to publish books and journals useful to the Naval Academy and its graduates and continues to prosper, modestly.

The Institute dedicated its current headquarters, Beach Hall, in 1999, whose naming was to honor the contributions of Edward L. Beach, Jr. and his father and namesake, Edward L. Beach, Sr., who served as its secretary-treasuer.

Currently the Institute is producing the PBS documentary series Americans At War.