About the MORS Phalanx Editors' Award

The Phalanx Editors’ Award was established in 2022. It is awarded annually to the author(s) of the best non-technical article published in the Phalanx, MORS’ quarterly magazine, during the previous calendar year.

This is in contrast to the John K. Walker, Jr. Award, which recognizes the best technical article published in the Phalanx during the previous calendar year.

Purpose

  • To provide formal recognition to an article published in the Phalanx that makes a significant contribution to the profession or otherwise represents the unique issues facing operations researchers.
  • To identify and single out an article that stimulates discussion, reflects the complexity and importance of operations research in support of national security, or has the potential to inspire the individual operations researcher in his or her efforts.

Criteria

The MORS Prizes and Awards Committee and Phalanx editorial staff will identify and recognize members of our profession who have addressed the unique issues facing national security operations researchers by publishing an article in the Phalanx.

  • Individuals must have published a non-technical article in Phalanx during the previous calendar year that clearly and articulately reflects a problem or concern facing the national security operations research community.
  • The article may:
    • Propose a unique non-technical solution, approach, or process for implementation within the community that would enhance the practice of operations research
    • Provide background, context, or a framework for understanding the practice of operations research as it applies to contemporary national security
    • Describe an experience whose sharing would benefit the national security operations research community overall, or the individual practitioner
  • Current sponsors, members of the Phalanx editorial staff, and members of the Publications Committee are not eligible for this award.

Past Award Winners

2026
Major Iain Cruickshank, Colonel Nicole Curtis, Colonel Chris Eastburg, Major Bethany Dumas, and CW4 James Yantis
Making AI Operational: The Army’s New Technical Career Path
Volume 58, Number 4

2025
Capt. Julie Vogel
The Maui Wildfire of 2023: Response and Support by the Department of Defense
Volume 57, Number 4

2024
Dr. Mark A. 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?
Volume 56, Number 1

2023
Mr. Michael Woudenberg
The Enemy’s Gate Is Down: Counterintuitive Insights from the War on Terror
Volume 55, Number 3

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