By Karen D. Kurtz
WASHINGTON (May 16, 2016) – The Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)), Lt. Gen. Michael E. Williamson, announced the third annual Maj. Gen. Harold J. “Harry” Greene Awards for Acquisition Writing competition today to encourage critical writing focused on Army acquisition issues.
“This annual writing competition is designed to identify, discuss, and influence the outcome of significant issues affecting Army acquisition in today’s increasingly uncertain and complex global security environment,” said Williamson. “Through critical thinking and writing about pertinent subjects related to Army acquisition, we will continually improve the process to deliver capabilities to our Warfighters efficiently and expediently. We seek maximum participation by keeping the competition open to everyone with an interest in Army acquisition, especially members of the defense acquisition workforce.”
The competition is open to anyone with an interest in shaping the dialogue about Army acquisition—its past, present and future. The last two competitions combined yielded nearly 200 submissions from across the defense acquisition workforce and others, including individuals from all services and several commands worldwide. The entries are judged by a panel of experts ranging from retired general officers, industry experts, journalists and defense acquisition leaders.
The winning entries, including first place and honorable mentions were published in a supplement accompanying the January 2016 edition of Army AL&T magazine. The authors were also honored at the U.S. Army Acquisition and Contracting Awards ceremony held in Orlando, Florida, last December.
“The quality of papers submitted in previous competitions has been exceptional,” Williamson said. “This annual competition is a reminder of the tremendous talent, creativity and expertise not only among the defense acquisition workforce, but throughout the larger community of stakeholders with whom we work.”
Authors may write articles, opinion pieces, or essays from 500 words to 1,800 words on U.S. Army acquisition in one of four categories including acquisition reform/Better Buying Power; future operations; innovation; or lessons learned.
The submitted works must be unclassified, original, not previously published or submitted to a writing competition, and completed during fiscal year 2016. Four award winners will be selected, one in each category with four additional works selected for honorable mention. The deadline for submissions is midnight Sept. 19, 2016, to usarmy.pentagon.hqda-asa-alt.mbx.acq-writing-awards@mail.mil. Additional information and requirements are included in the ‘call for submissions’ and on the ASA(ALT) website. The winners will be recognized at the annual U.S. Army Acquisition and Contracting Awards ceremony to be held in December 2016, and their submissions along with the honorable mentions will be published in Army AL&T magazine.
The acquisition writing competition is named for Maj. Gen. Greene, the Deputy Commanding General of the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, who was killed by an Afghan Soldier Aug. 5, 2014, while making a visit to Marshal Fahim National Defense University in Kabul, Afghanistan. He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery on Aug. 14, 2014.
“Harry Greene was an inspirational leader who was passionate about providing Soldiers with the best equipment in the world,” Williamson said. “He was a forward thinker, always looking to make our Army better. The acquisition writing award is a fitting tribute to him and his 34-years of distinguished service.”
Related:
See the 2015 winners: Honoring a Legacy
See the winning entries from the 2014 competition
Faces of the Force: Chenxi Dong O’Malley, a 2014 winning author
