MORS Awards And Recognition
By: Dr Jerry Kotchka, FS
Junior Analyst Award 
The Military Operations Research Society
exists to enhance the profession of military operations research. Therefore,
MORS seeks to recognize excellence in the profession. Annually MORS presents
awards and prizes in direct support of the Society's purpose to enhance the
quality and effectiveness of military operations research through the
recognition of outstanding individuals in the profession and the accomplishment
of outstanding work by individuals and teams.
Since 1978, the Vance R. Wanner award has been awarded annually to recognize
outstanding individuals for consistent, sustained contributions and dedication
to the military operations research profession. It was named in honor of the
first Executive Secretary of the Society.
In June 1998, the MORS Board approved two new awards. The first was the Clayton J.
Thomas Award to recognize outstanding individuals for consistent, sustained
technical contributions to improve the analytical underpinnings of the military
operations research profession. It was named after Clayton J. Thomas, FS, our
respected colleague, who has given, and continues to give, so much of enduring
value to the military operations research community.
The
second new award was the John K. Walker, Jr. Award to recognize the author of
the technical article judged to be the best published in PHALANX during
the previous calendar year. It was named after Jack Walker, FS, who was Editor
of PHALANX for 12 years and Editor Emeritus for seven years.
Since
1965, the Rist Prize was awarded annually for the best paper submitted in
response to a call for papers. It is named after David Rist, an early director.
Starting in 2005, the Rist Prize will be awarded to the best implemented
study submitted annually.
Since 1983, the Barchi prize has been awarded annually for the best paper
presented at the annual Symposium. It is named in honor of CDR Richard H. Barchi,
who was a former director. For several years, MORS has awarded the Graduate
Research Prize for the best thesis in each operations research class at the Air
Force Institute of Technology and the Naval Postgraduate School.
For
years, the famous MCAP Award — MORS Coveted Acrylic Paperweight — has been
given to keynote speakers, special meeting chairpersons and others who we wanted
to thank for their unique participation and support to MORS.
Since
1997, MORS board members and other senior members of the community have been
authorized to award "on the spot" the MORS coin for excellence or MORS
"Impact Award" for useful and meaningful analysis or other actions
that have positive impact on MORS.
Last,
but not least, is the very important, instant recognition by supervisors and
peers of superb analysis by a "pat on the back" with the words
"well done."
Rist and Barchi Prizes
RIST PRIZE CALL FOR PAPERS
How to
Prepare a MORS Paper
Wanner Award Laureates
Clayton
J. Thomas, FS Award
John K. Walker Jr, FS Memorial Award
MOR Journal Award
