92nd Symposium - Awards and Prizes Winners

The 92nd MORS Symposium
"Advancing Analytical Leadership"
Monday-Thursday, 24-27 June 2024
0830 to 1700 PT

Naval Postgraduate School
1 University Circle, Monterey, CA 93943

 

Mr. Arthur H. “Trip” Barber

Mr. Arthur H. Barber

Mr. Trip Barber is currently the Chief Analyst and Technical Fellow for Operations Analysis for Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. He retired from the Navy in 2014 after 41 years of service, 28 as an officer and 13 as a Senior Executive Service civilian. 25 of those years of service were spent in the Pentagon, all in the field of program and capability analysis. Read More

Dr. Daniel T. Maxwell

Dr. Daniel T. Maxwell

Dr. Daniel (Dan) Maxwell is the President of KaDSci and a retired Army LTC. He served 21 years; the first half of his career he spent as a Military Police Officer with Airborne Ranger qualifications and completed Command and General Staff College. Dan’s Operations Research (OR) career began in 1989 with an assignment to the Pentagon providing analysis support to the “Star Wars” Program. After earning his Ph.D. in Operations Research, Dan completed multiple assignments where he supported two quadrennial Defense Reviews, many major Command & Control, and Intelligence related studies. He culminated his military career as the technical lead of the $100M JWARS simulation program. Read More

Major Iain J. Cruickshank, Ph.D.

Major Iain J. Cruickshank, Ph.D.

Major Iain Cruickshank is a graduate of the United States Military Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. He also holds a Master of Science in Operations Research from the University of Edinburgh, which he obtained as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, and a Ph.D. in Societal Computing from Carnegie Mellon University, earned as a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. Major Cruickshank serves as a senior research scientist at the Army Cyber Institute, where he focuses on researching new data science methodologies for the information domain and the utilization of zero-shot, multimodal machine learning models. His profound expertise in data science and machine learning, coupled with his visionary applications of Artificial Intelligence, render him an unparalleled analyst.

 

LTC Matthew Ferguson and LTC Francis Murphy

“Oh the Places You’ll Go: Optimizing Enlisted Personnel Assignments in the United States Army Using a Multicriteria Assignment Problem”

(Military Operations Research Journal Volume 28, Issue 3, pp: 53-66)

Executive Summary: The authors report on the recent formulation and implementation of a novel multicriteria optimization approach to the assignment matching problem for midcareer Army enlisted personnel. Their model uses a goal program to balance competing priorities of Army readiness and meeting individual preferences over their next assignment. Nine objectives are formulated in a multicriteria assignment problem and solved lexicographically to produce an assignment slate. The model is extended to inform market formulation decisions. The authors also provide a customer-model interface that enables assignment managers to review and modify, where needed, the initial slating output. They present key performance indicators to summarize model performance during the first full year of implementation. 

LTC Matthew Ferguson

LTC Matthew Ferguson has been an Army Operations Research Analyst at the United States Army Human Resources Command in Fort Knox, Kentucky since 2017. His previous analytical assignments include United States Cyber Command and the Capabilities Integration Directorate of Headquarters Department of the Army G-3/5/7.

He holds a BS in Mathematics and History from the University of Scranton, an MA in Human Resources Management from Webster University, and an MS in Operations Research from the Air Force Institute of Technology. LTC Ferguson was previously a MORS Junior Analyst Ambassador, the 2017 recipient of the Dr. James T. Moore Graduate Research Prize, and the 2021 Army Modeling and Simulation Award for Individual Analysis.

LTC Ferguson lives in Elizabethtown, Kentucky with his wife and six children.

 

Colonel Fran Murphy, PhD

Colonel Fran Murphy, PhD, is the Acting Director of the Office of Labor and Economic Analysis (OLEA) at the US Air Force Academy. OLEA provides rigorous manpower and policy analysis to inform the Department of the Air Force’s human capital portfolio. A 2002 graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, Fran also earned graduate degrees at Dartmouth (Tuck School of Business) and the University of Virginia. His research has published at outlets such as the Journal of Labor Economics, Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, and Military Operations Research. Fran previously served as a rotating faculty member (Economics) at West Point and with the First Infantry Division on multiple combat deployments to the Middle East. He teaches courses in econometrics.

Mr. Matthew Cosner, Dr. Sandra Beaulieu, Mr. Alexander Phan, and Ms. Emily Williams

“Modeling the Persistence Capabilities of Distributed Sea-Based Aircraft”

(Phalanx Volume 56, Number 2, pp: 30-40)

Mr. Tevari BarkerMr. Matthew Cosner serves as an operations research analyst in the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), Patuxent River Maryland. He leads mission-level studies of future platforms, sensors, weapons, networks to inform Navy programmatic and resourcing decisions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in systems analysis. He was recently selected as a NAWCAD Associate Fellow for maritime warfare analysis and wargaming.

 

 

Dr. Gregory S. ParnellDr. Sandra Beaulieu is an operations research analyst with the Warfare Effectiveness Department, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. She received her BS and MS in engineering mechanics from Virginia Tech, and her PhD in aerospace engineering from Penn State. She has served on the faculty of the Naval Postgraduate School and as a contractor with the ManTech Corporation. She was the technical lead for the SALSA development team.

 

 

Dr. Edward A. PohlMr. Alexander Phan is an operations research analyst with the Warfare Effectiveness Department, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. He received his BS in computer science and physics from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He was the lead software engineer and data architect for the SALSA development team/

 

 

 

 

Dr. Eric A. SpeckingMs. Emily Williams is an operations research analyst with the Analysis Division, Headquarters Air Combat Command (HQ ACC/A9A) at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia where she builds warfare models and performs analysis for mission-level studies. She received her BS and MS in Applied and Computational Mathematics from Old Dominion University. Previously, she served with the Warfare Effectiveness Department, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division.

 

Dr. Mark Gallagher, Dr. Bradley Warner, Dr. Bruce Cox, Col Tucker “Cinco” Hamilton, and Col Judson Dressler

“Data Science: What Is It? How is the Department of Defense Educating for It?"

(Phalanx Volume 56, Number 1, pp: 20-30)

Mark Gallagher, PhD, is the Theater Simulation Lead at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.  Previously, Mark served as an operations research (OR) analyst as an officer and then civilian in the Air Force.  The Military Operations Research Society (MORS) has recognized Mark with the Barchi Prize (twice), Rist Prize (twice), Fellow, and Thomas Award.  Mark is an Air Force Academy graduate with majors in OR and Computer Science and an Air Force Institute of Technology graduate with degrees of OR MS and OR PhD.  Mark has led the creation of several models in his career including the Weapons Assignment Model (WAM) for nuclear forces and the Bilateral Enterprise Analysis Model (BEAM) to investigate joint campaign strategies and force structures.

Mr. Tevari BarkerDr. Bruce Cox is an Assistant Professor at the Air Force Institute of Technology and serves as chair of the Data Science Master’s program. His research interests include: heuristic search, neural networks, computer vision and generative adversarial networks. He is the Vice President of the Cincinnati/Dayton Chapter of the Institute for Operations Research and Management Sciences (INFORMS) and a member of the Military Operations Research Society (MORS).

 

 

Dr. Gregory S. ParnellBradley Warner, PhD, is Professor of Applied Statistics and Director Emeritus and Senior Advisor to the Data Science Program at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA). As Director of the Data Science Program, he led the team that created the program in 2019 and has led the team until May 2024. He received his undergraduate degree in Geophysical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines. In 1996 he received his Ph.D. in Biometrics from the University of Colorado, Health Sciences Center. He also holds a Master of Science degree from the Colorado School of Mines in Mathematical and Computer Sciences.  His research interests include machine learning, neural networks, and statistical pedagogy. He has been on the faculty of the United Air Force Academy since 1996. He has held many leadership roles in the Department of Mathematical Sciences to include Engineering Division Chief, Operations Research Division Chief, Deputy Department Head for Academics, Director of Innovation, and Department Head. Prior to his work at the Air Force Academy, he was a submarine qualified naval officer and then a product development engineer for Siecor, a leading manufacturer of fiber optic cables. He holds a United States patent.

Dr. Edward A. PohlColonel Judson Dressler is the Permanent Professor and Head of the Department of Computer and Cyber Sciences, United States Air Force Academy. He leads the 34-member department that administers the Computer Science, Cyber Science, and Data Science programs. In addition to teaching over 1200 cadets each year, his department is home to the Academy Center for Cyberspace Research which conducts long-term research in areas such as Autonomy, Artificial Intelligence, Immersive Environments, and Cyber Security. Colonel Dressler received his commission from the United States Air Force  Academy in 2005. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from Rice University. He has served in various assignments including Commander of the 835th Cyberspace Operations Squadron where he led a Total Force squadron of 134 cyber Airmen to conduct threat-focused, intelligence driven defensive cyberspace operations. Additionally, Colonel Dressler commanded the Air Force's advanced cyber schoolhouse leading a team of 30 personnel driving the Air Force's component of the nation's Cyber Mission Force to full operational capability. His last assignment was as Director, Air Force CyberWorx, a public-private design center focused on cyber capabilities and melding military, academic, and industry expertise to solve operational problems.

1Lt Camryn Deames, Dr. Brian Lunday, and Col Jason R. Anderson, Ph.D.

“The Aerial Refueling Asset Basing and Assignment Problem”

Mr. Tevari Barker

First Lieutenant Camryn Deames is a Data Operations Analyst in the Analyses, Assessments, and Lessons Learned, Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S Air Forces Africa, Ramstein Air Base (AB), Germany. She is responsible for leveraging data infrastructure and current applications to advance data analytics and elevate the analytic maturity and data-driven decision superiority of the command.

A graduate of the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Lt Deames received her commission in 2021. She was a member of the Women’s varsity tennis team and the Wings of Blue Parachute team. Since commissioning, she has served three years Active Duty. Her career has spanned a variety of areas of expertise including research in aerial refueling optimization-based modeling; MAJCOM campaign assessment; USAFE and EUCOM echelon exercise assessment in partner nation interoperability, Agile Combat Employment (ACE), and Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD); and MAJCOM level Data Operations. Prior to this assignment, she earned a Master’s degree in Operations Research at the Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio. She presented her research, “The Aerial Refueling Asset Basing and Assignment Problem,” at the 91st Military Operations Research Symposium.

 

Mr. Andrew Maloney, Mr. Jeff Tkacheff, Capt Caleb Kadrmas, and Mr. Steven E. Heinlei

“II MEF integrated Air and Missile Defense Study”

Dr. Jeffrey C. Tkacheff

Over the span of 43-year career, Mr. Tkacheff has worked in the combat simulation realm for over 38 years. Working in private industry for 25 years, he got his start working for a hydrodynamics firm using modeling and simulation to help design propellers for the US Navy’s submarine fleet. In supporting the Joint Chiefs of Staff Modern Aids to Planning Program (MAPP) and the Joint Analytical Support Program (JASP) contracts, Mr. Tkacheff began his involvement with the major combat simulations of that era. Mr. Tkacheff’s association with the Marine Corps started in the late ‘80s and continue through to this day. He transitioned from the private industry to government service, working for OAD for over 18 years. Mr. Tkacheff’s use of simulation and modeling has provided analytical depth to the Marine Corps and improved wargaming and simulation results pertaining to analysis of Marine Corps warfighting capabilities and provided relevant analytic insights that assists the Marine Corps in making combat development, programmatic and warfighting decisions. Currently, Mr. Tkacheff is the AFSIM lead for OAD.

Mr. Steven E. Heinlein

Over the span of Mr. Heinlein’s 32-year career, he has added value to Headquarters Combatant Commands, Headquarters United States Marine Corps, Headquarters Department of the Army, Air Expeditionary Forces, Joint Forces, and Headquarters Air Force staffs while undertaking significant military related responsibilities. He received a commission in the United States Air Force, served active duty as a Space Operations and Launch Officer for seven years, and then 23 more years in the Air Force Reserve before retiring in June 2022. He deployed as a reservist with the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing in Al Dhafra, UAE, and as civilian analyst in support of SOCPAC in Oahu, HI.  As a Senior Operations Research Analyst Steve worked for the Center for Army Analysis from 2003 to 2022. He currently serves as the Operations Analysis Directorate’s Capabilities Analysis Branch (CAB) Branch Head, managing a team providing capabilities-based analyses of future warfighting requirements, primarily using modeling and simulation. CAB’s application of high-resolution mission level analysis supports USMC combat development and systems acquisition decisions.

MAJ Brian Laborde, Mr. Stephen McCarty, and MAJ Ryan Capelli

Campaign Analysis Support to Active Operations (Security Assistance Group-Ukraine) – Center for Army Analysis

Mr. Tevari BarkerMAJ Brian Laborde serves as an Operations Researcher/Systems Analyst (ORSA) in the Campaign Analysis Division at the Center for Army Analysis. Prior to becoming an ORSA, Brian served as a Field Artillery Officer. His assignments include Chief of Assessments and Analytics for Security Assistance Group – Ukraine, Fires Analyst at the Fires Center of Excellence Capabilities Development and Integration Directorate, Commander of Headquarters Detachment, Fires Center of Excellence, Commander of Bravo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Field Artillery Regiment, 428th Field Artillery Brigade, Gunnery Instructor for the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, Assistant S-3 in 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery, and Platoon Leader and Executive Officer in Charlie Battery, 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Louisiana State University, a Master of Science in Applied Mathematics from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Webster University.

Mr. Stephen McCarty is the Chief, Modeling and Simulation Branch, N81C, United States Navy. Previously he was the Senior Analyst, Campaign Analysis Division , Center for Army Analysis. Stephen has a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the Army War College and a Master of Engineering in Operations Research/Systems Analysis from Old Dominion University. 

Dr. Edward A. PohlMAJ Ryan Capelli serves as an Operations Researcher/Systems Analyst (ORSA) in the Campaign Analysis Division at the Center for Army Analysis. He is currently deployed in support of Security Assistance Group – Ukraine as the Chief of Assessments and Analytics. Prior to becoming an ORSA, Ryan served as an Engineer Officer. His assignments include Observer, Coach, and Trainer at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC), Commander of Bravo Company, 82nd Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Executive Officer of 526th Engineer Company (Horizontal Construction), 92nd Engineer Battalion, and Platoon Leader in 530th Engineer Company (Clearance), 92nd Engineer Battalion. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Auburn University, a Master of Science in Operations Research from Florida Institute of Technology, and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from Missouri University of Science and Technology.

 

CW3 Stephen Andre and Mr. Paul Falkenberg

Entity Geolocation Refiner and Enrichment Tool – United States Army Intelligence and Security Command

Maj Victoria R.C. Sieck, PhDChief Warrant Officer 3 Stephen Andre is a Senior Signals Intelligence Technician Data Scientist at the United States Army Intelligence and Security Command, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. CW3 Andre has served at multiple echelons within the Army while deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan a total of five times during his 21-year career. His path to becoming an Army Data Scientist came through completion of the Army Advanced Civil Schooling program at George Mason University where he earned a Master of Data Analytics Engineering in 2020. CW3 Andre’s primary focus and contribution to the Army Intelligence Mission through Data Science applications is automating manual processes, so Intelligence Analysts have more time to Analyze.  

Dr. Steven N. Thorsen

Paul Falkenberg is the lead Civilian Data Scientist at the United States Army Intelligence and Security Command, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. With a background in Biology and Computer Science, Paul brings a unique blend of expertise to his role. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology with a specialization in Developmental Genetics from Stony Brook University, followed by a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from the New York Institute of Technology.

In his current capacity, Paul leverages his critical thinking and programming skills to spearhead data science initiatives that bolster intelligence operations. By automating manual processes, Paul ensures that Intelligence Analysts can devote more time to strategic analysis, thereby enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of intelligence gathering and interpretation. Paul is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of data science within the Army, helping to streamline operations and strengthen our nation’s defense capabilities against evolving threats.

 

Maj Andrew Langland, Mr. Tony Dronkers, Lt Col Eric Hastings, Mr. Kent Sullivan, Dr. Demetra Protogyrou, Ms. Susannah Aronson, Ms. Madeleine Thompson
Generating Sorties Under Attack: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Analyzing Sortie Production Operations in a Contested Environment – SAF/SA

Major Andrew Langland is an aerospace engineer in the US Air Force.  He received his undergraduate engineering degree and ROTC commission at the Missouri University of Science and Technology and later a master's degree in Operations Research at the Air Force Institute of Technology. He has experience in aircraft sustainment, aircraft battle damage repair, fighter operational test, and modeling & simulation development.  During his recent assignment to Air Force Secretariat, Studies and Analysis (SAF/SA) he led the development of the Airfield Damage-Assessment and Resiliency Model (AD-ARM), a high fidelity simulation model to study sortie production in contested environments. He used this model for the Generating Sorties Under Attack study series which has gained substantial notoriety among Air Force senior leaders, to include SECAF, for its novel insights and impact on planning decisions.

 

Mr. Ryan Foullon, LTC Travis Cox, Mr. Maxwell Greer, Ms. Sara Krondak, Mr. Alexander VanHoudt, Mr. Matthew Harder, Mr. Zachariah LaRue, MAJ Christopher Brown, Mr. David Velez, and Capt Rachel Lo

The Integrated Air and Missile Defense Mix Study – TRAC

Lt Col Donald Williams Jr., PhD (USAF)

“Methodologies for Assessing Space Threats in All-Domain Common Operational Pictures”

Abstract: This research is a decision analysis and optimization study with six space and six terrestrial threats. First, it uses decision trees to form a methodology calculating the expected value of different decision paths for space threat prioritization and identifying the optimal choice to prioritize for all-domain threat warning. Second, it uses real options analysis to understand how space threats affect other domains in real-time all-domain threat warnings. This study presents a unique methodology to include space threats in all-domain common operational pictures. It is relevant to this year’s session because it uses an innovative analytical approach in an under-researched area and integrates a threat-based operations research approach with emerging space research.

Dr. Paul FantoDonald Williams Jr. is a U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and Air Battle Manager.  He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, a Master of Science degree in Engineering and Technology Management, a Master of Philosophy degree in Military Strategy, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Global Leadership. He is also a doctoral candidate in Military Strategy at the United States Air Force School of Advanced Air and Space Studies. Donald has planned and deployed in multinational counterdrug operations, disaster relief, and combat missions, with over 1700 flight hours in the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System. He recently completed a 1-year Detail on the Campaign Decision Support Team in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and currently serves as a strategist at the Secretariat of the Air Force Office of Studies of Analysis, the Pentagon, Washington, DC.

2024 June – Lt Col Christopher Bromley, USMC

“Application of Reinforcement Learning to Air-to-Air Fighter Tactics”

Proposal Abstract: As threat nations continue to modernize the capabilities of their fighter aircraft and armament, U.S. fighters must update their tactics to adapt. 4th generation aircraft  rely on the Joint Air-to-Air Model (JAAM) software to develop these tactics. JAAM runs deterministic simulations of combat scenarios based on predefined weapons employments and maneuvers given by the user. Currently, subject matter experts across the services brute force runs of JAAM to test different scenarios and find tactics that provide desirable outcomes. We solve this problem by applying a reinforcement learning algorithm alleviate the tedium and increase the creativity in developing beyond visual range (BVR) tactics. By providing a value function to a decision-making agent, we allow the agent to independently learn how to best achieve the desired outcome through practice. We discretize the actions available to the agent to only those actions we could expect a human to execute. Our goal is to develop a framework to rapidly modify tactics against current and future threats by allowing the agent to exercise creativity and to try novel methods to achieve the desired outcomes. Ultimately, this will relieve subject matter experts of the need to spend countless hours innovating new tactics and subsequently running iterations of JAAM to validate them.

Dr. Paul FantoLieutenant Colonel Christopher Bromley graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2007. Upon earning his Wings of Gold in October 2009, he was selected as an F/A-18A-D pilot. He served in VMFA-323 (Death Rattlers), VMFA-314 (Black Knights), and as an instructor at VMFAT-101 (SharpShooters). Lieutenant Colonel Bromley completed deployment aboard the USS NIMITZ in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, deployment to INDOPACOM for the Unit Deployment Plan (UDP) and deployment to CENTCOM in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. He has also served as the Air Officer for First Reconnaissance Battalion and deployed in support of Special Purpose MAGTF South-14. Lieutenant Colonel Bromley is a graduate of the Navy's Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and is completing his MS in Operations Research at the Naval Postgraduate School. After graduation he will report to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) as the Operations Analyst.

 

2024 March – LCDR Marianna Luporini, USN

”Updating the Replenishment at Sea Planner for Contested Environments”

Proposal Abstract: Replenishment at sea (RAS) operations enable the U.S. Navy (USN) to sustain prolonged operations without the need for port calls. The Replenishment at Sea Planner (RASP) is currently employed to optimize RAS operations in stable, uncontested environments. However, in a contested environment, the availability of particular nodes (i.e., ports) in the routing network will be dynamic, constrained by security and vulnerability requirements. As the USN prepares for potential conflicts with near-peer adversaries, it must investigate the validity of traditional logistics architecture in contested domains. The purpose of this research is to determine how adversary threats and actions impact the routing of logistics vessels within a hostile environment. We analyzed the impact of introducing adversary actions into RASP by reducing the availability of replenishment assets and network routes in the model. To enhance model fidelity and versatility, we introduced a value-based objective function, timing rules, and generalized units to the RASP model. We then used RASP to conduct a comprehensive scenario analysis that focuses on identifying critical transportation nodes and arcs within the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) and United States Indo-Pacific Command (PACOM) areas of responsibility. Our findings underscore the critical importance of strategic port selection and contingency planning to mitigate disruptions and sustain fleet operations in dynamic maritime environments.

LT Felicia Goodell

LCDR Marianna Luporini was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and immigrated to the United States in 1996.  She attended the University of Florida, and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics, Magna Cum Laude, in 2008.  She holds a Master of Science in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), as well as a Certificate in Business Operations from Santa Fe College, a Certificate in Translation Studies from the University of Florida, and a Certificate in Operational Data Science and Statistical Machine Learning from NPS. LCDR Luporini enlisted in the United States Navy as a Logistics Specialist in 2009 and attended Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes and LS ‘A’ school in Meridian, Mississippi, where she graduated top of her class and earned the SKC Richard S. Hilliard Award for Educational Achievement. LCDR Luporini’s first fleet assignment was at Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light FORTY-FIVE (HSL-45), which later transitioned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron SEVEN-FIVE (HSM-75).  There, she earned her Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Qualification and was selected as the HSM-75 Junior Sailor of the Year and Carrier Strike Group Eleven Junior Sailor of the Year.  In April 2013, she reported to Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island.  Following her Commissioning in August 2013, she began the Basic Qualification Course at the Navy Supply Corps School (NSCS) in Newport, Rhode Island, where she graduated as the Honor Graduate and earned numerous academic awards, as well as the Supply Corps Foundation Leadership Award.  LCDR Luporini then served aboard the USS BATAAN (LHD 5) as the Wardroom Officer, Hazardous Material Officer, and Postal Officer.  There, she also earned her Surface Warfare Supply Corps Officer and Naval Aviation Supply Officer qualifications.  From there, she served at NAVSUP WSS Transportation & Distribution Department as a transportation analyst and OPLOG Transportation Intern.  She then returned to Newport to attend Supply Officer Department Head Course at NSCS, graduating in October 2018, and headed back to Norfolk, Virginia to serve as Supply Officer onboard USS Gravely (DDG 107) until May 2021. Post-Department Head tour, LCDR Luporini attended NPS in Monterey, CA, where she was selected for a Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific (NIWC) Pacific Research Fellowship, the Military Operations Research Society (MORS) Tisdale Graduate Research Award, and the Navy League’s LCDR Tom Winant Highest Academic Achievement Award.  Upon graduation, she reported to a follow-on Training with Industry tour at Federal Express.  Her awards include the Navy Commendation Medal and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards).

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nps-monterey_awardwinning-studentresearch-activity-7171230465524183040-VLXo/ for Marianna Luporini pics

 

2023 December – No Award Granted

 

2023 September – LCDR Daniel Wright, USN

“Rolling Horizon Implementation of the Replenishment at Sea Planner”

Proposal Abstract: To sustain ships on station and create a forward presence overseas, the United States Navy relies on replenishment at sea (RAS) operations. Using these events, shuttle ships provide fuel and materiel to deployed combatants while underway. With a global commitment and dynamic schedules, the Navy faces a complex, operational logistics problem. A mixed integer linear program called the Replenishment at Sea Planner (RASP) provides the optimal schedule; however, schedulers use a heuristic to develop less-than-optimal RAS plans due to RASP’s computation time. Ill-planned schedules limit the number of combatants in theater, reduce time-on-station for deployers, and increase costs due to shuttles consuming more fuel. The purpose of this research is to implement a rolling horizon algorithm with future relaxation into the current version of RASP. A rolling horizon partitions the time horizon into subproblems then optimizes each subproblem sequentially using a portion of the previous solution. The analysis examines both computation times and objective values across four scenarios, comparing these results to the monolith model. We then apply the rolling horizon as a heuristic for warm starting the monolith model. Compared to the monolith’s performance with a two-hour computation limit, the rolling horizon implementation can provide operational quality replenishment plans, improving theaterwide sustainment and readiness at a cost savings of $15–22 million over a sixty-day period.

 

Cadet Anthony Pearson (VMI), MIDN Katherine Mendyk (USNA), and Cadet Andrew Barlow (USMA)

Mr. Brian Morgan

Dr. Fred BowdenMr. Brian Morgan is a retired Navy officer with over 30 years of active duty service.  He was designated a Navy Flight Officer and has over 3,600 flight hours and 800 carrier arrested landings in the E-2C Hawkeye.  He earned a Master of Science degree from the Naval Postgraduate School and additional active duty assignments include the Joint Staff (National Military Command Center), Assessment Division (OPNAV N81), and Commanding Officer, VAW-117.  Presently, he supports the NPS Operations Research Department as a contract instructor, teaching courses in probability and statistics.  His research interests include campaign analysis, the intersection of game theory and great power politics, military capabilities that produce a “crisis in warfighting confidence” in an adversary, and data storytelling.  Mr. Morgan served as the 55th President of the Military Operations Research Society (MORS).

Nomination Process

Nominate a deserving individual or team of individuals for one of MORS’ distinguished awards and prizes! MORS strives to recognize and celebrate analysts in all stages of their career, from young analysts to seasoned veterans in the field of operations research.

Do you know an exceptional individual who has consistently worked to share their knowledge and talents with others in the field? Nominate them for the Clayton J. Thomas Award, which recognizes those who have demonstrated distinguished service over time and continuously delivered sound contributions that have improved the analytical underpinnings of the profession.

Or perhaps you’ve worked with someone who has shown sustained service and leadership excellence, and has played a major role in strengthening the profession of national security operations research. Consider nominating them for the Vance R. Wanner Award!

Know a young analyst who is already making an impact on operations research? Consider nominating them for the Wayne P. Hughes Award, which recognizes an individual who is still early in their career and has a bright future ahead of them.

Or, if you know of an individual or a team that is conducting insightful and impactful research, nominate them for the David Rist Prize. The work conducted can be up to the SECRET classification level.

Recipients of several other MORS prizes and awards are also honored at the Symposium. The following do not have open nomination processes, but you can read more about them by following the links below.

Richard H. Barchi Prize - recognizes the best paper submitted in response to a call that goes out to the best nominated presenters from each working or composite group at the last MORS Symposium.

MOR Journal Award - awarded to the best article published in Military Operations Research during the previous calendar year.

John K. Walker, Jr. Award - awarded to the best technical article published in Phalanx during the previous calendar year.

Phalanx Editor’s Award – awarded to the best non-technical article published in Phalanx during the previous calendar year.

Eugene P. Visco Prize – awarded at the annual Emerging Techniques Forum (ETF) to  recognize early-career analysts for excellence in research quality, contributions, and presentation.

Graduate Research Prizes

Stephen A. Tisdale Prize – Naval Postgraduate School

Dr. James T. Moore Prize – Air Force Institute of Technology

Richard E. Rosenthal Student Competition – awarded at the annual Education and Professional Development Colloquium to the team of students with the best collaborative work and presentation in response to the posed “quick reaction analysis” challenge.

For information on submitting nominations, visit the MORS Awards and Prizes pages or email recognition@mors.org with any questions.