The classic text MORS is republishing this year is Analysis for Military Decisions, edited by E.S. Quade, originally published in 1964.
Analysis for Military Decisions is a compilation of articles by various authors and includes "... a survey of military systems analysis, and an example. ... The example presented is an adaptation from an actual study. It is used to illustrate the elements and language of analysis, to demonstrate how an analyst might approach a problem, and to point out some of the difficulties he might encounter." Analysis for Military Decisions is a must for every analyst’s bookshelf. You can also read "A Selected History of Operations Research according to Ed Quade" online at http://www.mors.org under publications, the December 1999 issue of PHALANX Online. Quade received his PhD in mathematics, served in the US Navy during World War II, and is one of the pioneers of systems analysis.
The MORS Year in Review
We started the MORS year last fall with the "Military Recruiting and Retention (MRR)" mini-symposium co-chaired by Harry Thie, FS, and Chris Fossett, FS. Early in 2000, we held two more special meetings "Joint Analysis: QDR 2001 and Beyond" Chaired by Mike Leonard and co-chaired by Jim Bexfield, FS, and "Evolving the Practice of Military Operations Analysis in DoD" Chaired by Denis Clements and Co-Chaired by Sue Iwanski. The annual MORS Education Colloquium was held in April with the theme Expanding the Sciences - The Interdisciplinarity of OR. Priscilla Glasow, chairs the Education and Professional Development committee. You can attend outbriefs of these meetings at the annual MORS Symposium during the afternoon special sessions.
We culminate this MORS year with the 68th MORS Symposium at the US Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO, 20-22 June 2000 with the theme Expand Your Horizons. The MORS Symposium has something for everyone. See the MORS web site http://www.mors.org for more details.
The Next MORS Year
Dr Roy Rice takes over as President of MORS 22 June 2000 at the Air Force Academy on the last day of the MORS Symposium. Since Roy is a graduate of the Air Force Academy class of ‘75, and marched many penalty tours there as a cadet, it is an appropriate location for Roy to take over leadership of MORS. We have some exciting special meetings planned for the coming MORS year. The first special meeting will focus on C4ISR. RADM Robert Nutwell will chair the C4ISR workshop to be held 31 October - 2 November 2000 at the US Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Carlisle, PA.
Expanding the Sciences of Military Operations Research: Recommended Reading
I highly recommend the Pulitzer Prize-winning book Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies, W.W. Norton & Company, by Jared Diamond. If you don’t have time to read the entire book, at least read the epilogue (the final chapter) "The Future of Human History as a Science." Diamond, 1999 winner of the National Science Foundation (NSF) National Medal of the Science, contrasts the sciences of physics and chemistry, where knowledge is acquired in tightly controlled laboratory experiments, with historical sciences such as astronomy and climatology. As Diamond argues, you can’t run history over and over to see if a change affects results, however he gives several examples and "natural experiments" with which you can acquire knowledge. Diamond writes
There are many parallels between historical sciences and military science. Diamond describes four features that set historical sciences apart from nonhistorical sciences: methodology, causation, prediction and complexity. Read the epilogue of Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies and see if you agree. I encourage you to enter your comments on this topic when you LOGOUT of PHALANX Online.
MORS Senior Statesmen: Clayton J. Thomas, FS, 1920-2000
This year, MORS lost one of its greatest heroes: Clay Thomas, FS. You can read tributes to Clay both in this issue of PHALANX and in the PHALANX Online at http://www.mors.org. Clayton was my mentor and friend. The MORS community will miss him greatly.
Dick Wiles to retire as MORS Executive Vice President (EVP)
Dick Wiles will retire effective 31 July 2000, after having served as MORS EVP for 16 years. Dick has done a superb job serving MORS and the operations research community. With Dick’s retirement, MORS will also lose another stalwart worker from the MORS community, Dick’s lovely wife Ginny. Ginny has graciously hosted the MORS Symposium Spouses’ Program for the past several years. We will sorely miss both Dick and Ginny and wish them Godspeed in their retirement at Hilton Head, SC.