by Karen Kurtz
WASHINGTON (July 14, 2026)—The Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)), Lt. Gen. Robert M. Collins, announced the launch of the 13th annual Major General Harold J. “Harry” Greene Awards for Acquisition Writing today. The competition is designed to foster dialogue and discourse on the way forward as we transform acquisition to prioritize performance and accountability over process.
Prospective authors are encouraged to think and write critically about current challenges and ways to overcome them successfully. “We invite members of the defense acquisition workforce and other interested individuals to emulate Harry’s dedication to communicating and solving problems to make the lives of our warfighters better,” Collins said.
The competition is open to anyone with an interest in shaping the dialogue about Army acquisition. Entrants are asked to submit articles, opinion pieces or essays from 500 words to 1,800 words in one of four categories – (1) acquisition reform; (2) future operations; (3) innovation; and (4) lessons learned. Submissions must be unclassified, original and not previously published. A distinguished panel of experts will select one award winner in each category with one additional submission in each category selected for honorable mention. In the event of a tie, both works will be recognized.
All entries must be submitted by email no later than midnight, Oct. 13, 2026.
The annual contest is named for Maj. Gen. Harry Greene, the Deputy Commanding General of the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, who was killed in action on Aug. 5, 2014, while making a visit to the Marshal Fahim National Defense University in Kabul. “We honor Harry’s 34 years of distinguished service to our Army and the nation each year through this writing competition,” Collins said. “Harry was passionate about acquisition and the need to deliver successful outcomes at speed and scale for our joint warfighters.”
The winners of the writing competition will be honored at the U.S. Army Acquisition Executive’s Excellence in Leadership Awards Ceremony to be held in Washington, D.C. in 2027. The winning and honorable mention submissions will also be featured in Behind the Frontlines, an online publication that produces exclusive and partner-created content that focuses on Army acquisition processes, procedures, capabilities, services, equipment and the workforce.
Additional information about the competition can be found at www.army.mil/asaalt, including the 2026 Writing Award Call for Submissions.
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