Dear Colleagues: 

I take great pleasure in announcing that this year's Mills Medal will be presented to Jeff Appleget, Senior Lecturer, Operations Research Department. 

In its second 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. 

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. 

This year’s selection committee members were:

• Col Pugh (Chair)
• CAPT Hight
• CAPT Hays
• CAPT Sunvold
• Professor Kyle Lin

Dr. Appleget's adroit application of wargaming to inform force development decisions in support of the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab has no peer. His students' willingness to immerse themselves in the most demanding future operating environment challenges is a function of his charisma, technical/tactical acumen, and positive leadership.

The powerful work done by Dr. Appleget in support of USMC force design efforts has greatly aided in generating the synergy and momentum necessary to catapult the Corps towards success in the first battle of the next war.

Further, the Naval Enterprise has a greater understanding of the Future Operating Environment has been significantly enhanced by the perspectives, insights, and thoughtful hard work of the Dr. Appleget and his team of post-graduate candidates.

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.

Please join me in congratulating Jeff on this achievement!

Sincerely,
Dr. Scott S. Gartner
Provost and Academic Dean
Naval Postgraduate School