By Kenneth A. Stewart

NPS Department of Defense Analysis students, U.S. Army Lt. Cols. Rob Schultz, left, and Pat Duggan, right, have been awarded first place in the 2015 Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) National Defense and Military Strategy Essay Competition. Schultz and Duggan will be honored by the chairman later this fall, with their award-winning essays to be published in a future edition of "Joint Forces Quarterly."

Duggan took first place in the strategy research paper category for his essay, "Strategic Development of Special Warfare in Cyberspace." Schultz took first place in the 1,500-word strategy article category for his piece, "Countering Extremist Groups in Cyberspace."

"A [big] reason we were successful was because of the resources that NPS provided us, from faculty to materials," said Schultz. "All have been very helpful in our ability to earn these awards."

"This is a topic that I am passionate about," added Duggan. "[This award] really speaks to the quality of education that is ongoing here at NPS."

Duggan and Shultz, pictured during the Army War College graduation ceremony, May 9, faced stiff competition in the contest, with some 60 entries in the final evaluation round in the short essay category, and more than 40 in the longer paper category. Submissions were accepted from senior service colleges as well as the war colleges and specialty institutions throughout the Department of Defense, in addition to defense fellows attending civilian institutions throughout the country.