Each year, AFSA is proud to participate in the graduation ceremonies at the National War College at Fort Lesley J. McNair in southwest Washington, DC. At that ceremony, we are able to honor the graduate whose final paper has been chosen as the best essay on strategy or policy among State Department employees.

The award is named for George F. Kennan, who was the first Deputy Commandant of the National War College, where he wrote his famous 1947 article, "The Sources of Soviet Conduct." AFSA is proud to recognize the important skill of excellent writing, in the tradition of Mr. Kennan.

The award amount is $250, which is intended for the purpose of scholarly books. The award is generally presented by the AFSA President and the Commandant of the War College.

The 2010 winner was civil service employee Andrew Weinschenk, whose paper was entitled "On the Cusp of Empire: The Limits of Coercive Diplomacy in the Venezuelan Boundary Crisis of 1895."

For more information on this award, please contact AFSA's Coordinator for Special Awards and Outreach Perri Green at green@afsa.org or 202-719-9700.

Andrew Weinschenk receives his certificate and award from AFSA State Vice President
Daniel Hirsch and National War College Commandant Major General Robert Steel