In its inaugural year the Mills Medal was founded through the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) Foundation to recognize research, analysis, or service conducted under the auspices of the Naval Research Program (NRP) that had a meritorious or conspicuous impact to a Headquarters or Fleet organization. Nominations are solicited from Fleet Topic Sponsors of past NRP Research projects. This year’s selection committee members were:

• Col Randy Pugh (Chair)
• CAPT Clark Bone
• CAPT Ed McCabe
• CAPT Chuck Good
• CAPT Ray Barnes
• CDR Justin Davis
• Assistant Professor Tony Pollman

It is open to any living Naval Research Program principal investigator for any projects executed or services rendered under the Naval Research Program (or its predecessor), in any previous year, is eligible for nomination. The winner does not have to still be affiliated with NPS. Only one project (investigation team) will be recognized per year and the award may not be given to the same person twice.

I take great pleasure in announcing that this year's Mills Medal will be presented to Kyle Lin, Professor, from the Operations Research Department.

Professor Lin’s project helped develop the Surface Ship Drydock Schedule Planner, a versatile decision aid tool that generates an optimal drydock schedule that maximizes drydock utilization. This tool has been adopted Navy-wide and has significantly helped mitigate one of the Surface Navy’s greatest maintenance challenges.

He will receive $1,000, a 3” (nickel, minted) medallion in a display box, and a signed certificate.

I thank the Mills Medal Award Committee for their excellent job in selecting this very deserving winner.

Robert F. Dell