Army Operations Research

Army Operations Research Symposium (AORS)

AORS occurs once each year. It is an unclassified multi-day event that provides an excellent opportunity for Army Operations Research analysts to meet with their colleagues, present their best work, and exchange professional knowledge, experiences, and insights. The symposium provides a forum for sharing information and experience gained from ongoing and recently completed analyses. It also exposes practitioners to constructive critique and, in general, broadens the perspective of the analytical community.

In the past, representatives have attended from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, and the United Kingdom. Accordingly, all subject material must be For Public Release to general and international audiences.

Operations Research History

History of Operations Research in the United States Army, is a three-volume set by Charles R. Shrader, each covering a different time span. Operations research (OR) emerged during World War II as an important means of assisting civilian and military leaders in making scientifically sound improvements in the design and performance of weapons and equipment. OR techniques were soon extended to address questions of tactics and strategy during the war and, after the war, to matters of high-level political and economic policy. Until now, the story of why and how the U.S. Army used OR has remained relatively obscure. This comprehensive history offers important insights into the natural tension between military leaders and civilian scientists, the establishment and growth of Army OR organizations, the use of OR techniques, and the many contributions that OR managers and analysts have made to the growth and improvement of the Army since 1942. The latter two volumes bring the story up to modern times. This account should be of interest not only to the Army's analysis community, but also to civilian leaders and military commanders and staff officers at all levels.

OR History, Volume I, 1942-1962

OR History, Volume II, 1961-1973

OR History, Volume III, 1973-1995

Army Analytic Awards

AORS 2023 Best Presentation:

At the conclusion of the 2023 AORS, working group chairs nominated their top presentations. A review panel selected the best overall presentation. In addition to being recognized during the 2024 Army Operations Research Symposium (AORS) in person, the winners of the Best AORS 2023 Presentation will also be invited to present their topic before all attendees as part of opening day activities.

Operational Analysis Award:

The Operational Analysis Award recognizes analysis efforts that were performed in support of operational commanders planning and/or conducting current operations, security cooperation activities, or major exercises. Analysts must be assigned to operational headquarters, brigade/division/corps staffs, or Army service component commands. Analytic agencies are not eligible for this award. The majority of the study team must be affiliated with the U.S. Army, however the performing agency is not required to be assigned to an agency or organization of the Department of the Army (e.g., combatant command or, joint task force). All eligible Department of the Army analysts, technicians, scientists, or groups whose contributions were made during the period of 1 March 2023 through 29 February 2024 may be considered for nomination. The winning study will be presented at the 2023 Army Operations Research Symposium (AORS).

Dr. Wilbur B. Payne Award:

Wilbur B. Payne was a pioneer in Army operations research and the preeminent leader in the field for more than three decades. He was a US Army veteran of World War II, serving in the Italian campaign. Throughout his career, Dr. Payne was an enthusiastic advocate for applying methods of science to practical defense decision making, enforcing the highest standards of professionalism, and nurturing and mentoring operations research analysts. He also enjoyed an international reputation throughout the operational research establishments of the armies of US allies.

The Wilbur B. Payne Award recognizes the highest quality of Department of the Army Operations Research/Systems Analysis (ORSA) work. All Department of the Army analysts, technicians, scientists, or groups whose contributions were made during the period 1 March 2023 through 29 February 2024, and meet the criteria, are eligible for nomination. The winning study will be presented at the Army Operations Research Symposium.

2024 U.S. Army Junior Analyst Award (Civilian and Military):

Eligible nominees must be no older than 40 years old and have no more than 10 years of experience at the time of award submission, be recommended by an Army mentor as a potential candidate in the nomination year, and meet other criteria as is defined within the 2024 Army Analysis Awards Memorandum of Instruction. Recommenders must have a mentor-protégé relationship with the individual and must be able to describe the quality and breadth of the work accomplished by the junior analyst. One Army military and one Army civilian award will be presented at the 2024 Army Operations Research Symposium.

ORSA Hall of Fame return to top

Each year AORS inducts historically distinguished U.S. Army operations research practitioners into the Operations Research Systems Analysis (ORSA) Hall of Fame. Mr. Walter W. Hollis, the former Deputy Undersecretary of the Army for Operations Research, chartered the ORSA Hall of Fame in March 2004.

The ORSA Hall of Fame honors those individuals who have contributed significantly to US Army Operations Research and Systems Analysis over a sustained period of time, have significantly impacted US Army Operations Research and Systems Analysis through doctrinal or technical accomplishment and innovative development, and have demonstrated outstanding personal leadership and noteworthy achievements that inspired others in the area of operations research.

The charter of the ORSA Hall of Fame names the US Army Materiel Systems Analysis Activity at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, as its permanent location. The ORSA Hall of Fame is governed by a Board of Directors representing the leadership of the major analytic entities of the Army, who each year reviews the nominations and vote to induct up to two inductees per year. A 60-day nomination period begins each April wherein anyone can nominate an individual for consideration. Nominees can be any US Army Soldier or DA civilian, living or deceased.

U.S. Army ORSA Hall of Fame Recipients

2023	Dr. Paul Ellner, Dr. Jeffrey Corley
2022	Mr. Robert Miele, Ms. Donna Vargas
2021	Dr. William Forrest Crain, Ms. Margaret Fratzel
2020	MG (Ret) John G. Ferrari
2019	BG (Ret) James L. Kays
2018	Mr. David J. Shaffer
2017	Mr. James C. Cooke
2016	Mr. Robert W. Young, Mr. Ronald G. Magee
2015	GEN (Ret) Benjamin S. Griffin
2014	GEN (Ret) David M. Maddox, Dr. James Streilein
2013	Mr. E. B. Vandiver III, Mr. Michael F. Bauman
2012	Mr. Leon F. Goode, Mr. Philip E. Louer, Mr. Roy F. Reynolds
2011	Mr. Raymond G. Pollard III, Mr. Morgan G. Smith
2010	COL Leslie Griffin (Griff) Callahan, Jr., Ph.D.
2009	Mr. Daniel O'Neill
2008	Mr. Seymour Goldberg, Mr. Pete Reid
2007	Dr. Samuel Parry
2006	Mr. Abe Golub, Mr. Walter Hollis
2005	Dr. Marion Bryson, Mr. Keith Myers
2004	Dr. Wilbur B. Payne, Dr. Joseph Sperrazza, GEN Max Thurman, Mr. Hunter Woodall