Army Analytic Awards 2026
Last updated: 8 September, 2026
Dr. Wilbur B. Payne Award for Excellence in Analysis
The Dr. Wilbur B. Payne Award for Excellence in Analysis recognizes the highest quality and most impactful analysis effort across the Department of the Army. All Department of the Army analysts, technicians, scientists, or groups thereof whose contributions were completed during the period 1 March 2025 through 28 February 2026 are eligible for nomination.
2026 Award Winner
MAJ Abigail Crocker
United States Military Academy Operations Research Center and First Army
"Personnel and Equipment (Re)constitution."
Operational Analysis Award
No nominations were submitted
Junior Analyst Awards (Military and Civilian)
The Junior Analyst Awards for Military and Civilian analysts, respectively, recognizes early career analysts who have enhanced the technical capabilities of the profession and significantly impacted major Army decisions. All Department of the Army analysts, technicians, and scientists with a maximum of 5 years' experience as of 28 February 2026 are eligible for nomination.
2026 Award Winners
Military
MAJ Melinda Sparks
Transformation Decision Analysis Center
Civilian
Ms. Evelyn Welling
U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command
AORS Best Paper Award
AORS Best Paper Award recognizes the best presentation delivered during working group sessions at the last AORS.
2026 Award Winner
MAJ Micah Hurst
Transformation Decision Analysis Center
"Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) Location and Capacity Optimization."