Acquisition writing competition empowers workforce, drives dialogue

By Karen KurtzJuly 1, 2020

(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WASHINGTON (June 30, 2020) – The Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)), Lt. Gen. Bob Marion, announced the start of the annual Maj. Gen. Harold J. “Harry” Greene Awards for Acquisition Writing competition, which invites individuals to candidly write about their insights, experiences, and ideas focused on Army acquisition.

“It is important that members of the acquisition workforce, as well as any interested individual, have this opportunity to drive the dialogue about meeting and overcoming challenges in delivering capabilities to warfighters,” Marion said as he opened the seventh annual competition and encouraged maximum participation across the Army and Department of Defense acquisition communities. “This writing competition gives prospective authors a platform to write about their experiences, share their ideas, and communicate with both internal and external stakeholders about ways to continually improve the acquisition process and obtain better outcomes.”

Designed to influence the dialogue on the importance of acquisition in delivering capabilities to our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coastguardsmen, the competition is open to all, especially to members of the defense acquisition workforce. “We need to think and write critically about acquisition – its past, present, and future,” Marion said, “and this is the perfect venue.”

Prospective authors may submit articles, opinion pieces, or essays from 500 words to 1,800 words in one of four categories including acquisition reform; future operations; innovation; or lessons learned. A distinguished panel of judges evaluates and selects the top entries. The winners and honorable mentions each year are published in a supplement accompanying the Spring edition of Army AL&T magazine. They are also honored at the U.S. Army Acquisition Executive’s Excellence in Leadership Awards Ceremony held in Washington, D.C., at a date to be determined.

Submissions must be unclassified, original, and not previously published or submitted to a writing competition. Four award winners will be selected, one in each category with four additional works selected for honorable mention. All entries must be submitted by email no later than midnight Sept. 30, 2020. Additional information about the competition is at www.army.mil/asaalt, including the call for submissions.

The annual acquisition writing competition is named for Maj. Gen. Greene, the Deputy Commanding General of the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, who was killed on Aug. 5, 2014, while making a visit to Marshal Fahim National Defense University in Kabul, Afghanistan. “Through these awards, we honor Harry’s 34 years of distinguished service to our Army and the nation, remember his significant contributions to Army acquisition, and pay tribute to his ultimate sacrifice.” Marion said.

2020 Writing Award Call for Submissions.pdf [PDF - 19.4 KB]

2014_ACQ_Writing_Awards.pdf [PDF - 814.5 KB]

2015_MGGreeneAwards.pdf [PDF - 1.3 MB]

2016_MGGreene_writing_awards.pdf [PDF - 1.1 MB]

2017_ACQ_writing_awards.pdf [PDF - 1.8 MB]

2018_ACQ_writing_awards.pdf [PDF - 1.3 MB]

2019_ACQ_writing_awards.pdf [PDF - 6.2 MB]

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