A student paper by CDR D. R Jones for the course in naval warfare at the Naval War College in which he attempted to establish that optimum knowledge of the oceans of the world is a prime and requisite element of sea power and proposed that this knowledge of inner space (i.e., the aqueous envelope of the earth extending from the surface of the ocean to its floor) is necessary for both national defense purposes and to ensure the exploitation of the oceans' vast food, mineral and energy resources. The author suggested that scientific and technological activities in oceanography should be broadened and increased to not only strengthen the U.S. military posture but also to satisfy the needs of the burgeoning populations of the world.

Student paper by Edgar Farr Russell, Jr. from the Defense Intelligence Agency on the influence on Mahan upon sea power. In this paper, Russell analyzes the effects of Mahan's background, education, and naval service to reveal the nature of his intellectual development and concludes that Mahan's influence is still in effect with the United States generally following his precepts. He ends with a recommendation that courses on Mahan's theories and doctrines be instituted at NWC and other military academies.