AFCEA International Awards Program

The David Sarnoff Award is AFCEA’s most prestigious award, established to recognize individuals who have made lasting and significant contributions to global peace and security. Each recipient in their own way has demonstrated a sustained and personal commitment to information sharing and collaboration across traditional and nontraditional boundaries.

AFCEA established the David Sarnoff Award in recognition of lasting and significant contributions to world peace. Recipients are marked by a sustained and personal commitment to communications, electronics and information technology, and in particular their role toward a stronger, more secure tomorrow.

The Award's namesake, David Sarnoff, exemplifies those great individuals whose work and sacrifice form the backbone of America. An entrepreneur from the start, he delivered newspapers to spread the word of the day. An early pioneer in radio, Sarnoff quickly rose to prominence in the newly developing American telecommunications industry. During World War II, he witnessed first-hand how talk and cooperation between government and industry in times of peace would help ensure effective communications during war. Communication, dialogue, an open and effective information exchange—what AFCEA is all about.

We are proud to claim David Sarnoff as a Founding Father and Charter Member of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, and he in turn would be proud of today's AFCEA, known and respected around the world.

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The Chairman's Superior Performance Award recognizes superior service to AFCEA over a sustained period of time. Winners "set the example" for others as dedicated volunteers who are active at all levels of the association, and have shown sustained leadership over more than 10 years. Winners have often been active members in AFCEA for 20 years or more.

Nominations are not solicited for this award. Award winners are selected by the Chair of the AFCEA International Board.

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The Distinguished Young Professional Award recognizes and rewards exceptional performance in four areas: leadership and guidance for the Emerging Leader program; superior technical achievement in the professional arena; a record of going "above and beyond" at the local AFCEA chapter or region level; and mentoring provided for other Emerging Leaders. Nominees for this award are evaluated through September of the current year.

AFCEA's Regional Vice Presidents have the honor of personally selecting an individual from their region to receive the Regional Distinguished Young Professional Award. These honorees represent an elite group of individuals, and one of them is voted Distinguished Young Professional of the Year.

The Distinguished Young Professional nomination will be graded on the following:

• Specific ways the nominee provided leadership and guidance for the Emerging Leader program at the chapter or regional level
• Superior technical achievement in the professional arena
• The impact the nominee's other contributions have had on their chapter and the AFCEA community
• Mentoring that the nominee provided for others during the award year

Criteria

• Must be a current AFCEA member

• Must be 40 years of age or younger as of December 31 of the current year

• Must have been an active Emerging Leader at the chapter and/or HQ International level for at least one year

• Cannot have previously won the Distinguished Young AFCEAN or Distinguished Young Professional award

• Individuals cannot nominate themselves

• Nominations must be endorsed by the nominee's AFCEA Regional Vice President

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The Emerging Leadership Award is given for exceptional service to AFCEA at the local chapter level and/or AFCEA International level. This award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated continuous leadership in Emerging Leader activities since winning the Distinguished Young AFCEAN (DYA) or Distinguished Young Professional (DYP) Award. Nominees are evaluated through September of the current year.

The Emerging Leadership nomination will be graded on the following:

• How the nominee has grown in their development as a leader in the local Emerging Leader community

• Leadership roles the nominee has taken in the local AFCEAN community-at-large—outside of the Emerging Leader community

• Contributions the nominee made to the Emerging Leader community at the HQ International level

• Mentoring provided by the nominee during the award year

• How the nominee has distinguished themselves as a professional in their community

Criteria

• Must be a current AFCEA member

• Must be 40 years of age or younger as of December 31 of the current year

• Must be a previous Distinguished Young AFCEAN or Distinguished Young Professional winner—awarded a minimum of two years ago

• Cannot have previously won this Emerging Leadership Award

• Individuals cannot nominate themselves

• Must be actively mentoring and involved with the Emerging Leaders

• Must have demonstrated continuous leadership in Emerging Leader activities since winning the DYA/DYP award

• Nominations must be endorsed by the nominee's AFCEA Regional Vice President

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The AFCEA 40 Under Forty Award is given to 40 individuals ages forty or younger for their significant contributions to the technical science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields by providing innovation, thought leadership, and support to their clients or organizations using information technology.

Description

Nominees can be from government, military, industry or academia and must be a member of AFCEA. Successful nominees will have made a "significant contribution to supporting their organization or client through the use of information technology" or providing innovation and thought leadership in a technical STEM field. Nominations may be submitted by active duty military, government civilian, industry, academic peers, colleagues and supervisors. Award winners will be selected based on technical accomplishments in the nominees' careers. AFCEA International’s Emerging Leader Advisory Council will evaluate the information submitted to ensure nominees meet eligibility criteria.

Criteria

• Must be a current AFCEA member

• Must be 40 years of age or younger

• An Executive Selection Board will make final award determinations, based on a merit-based review process of nominations submitted across the globe

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The Emerging Leader Chapter of the Year Award is given to the top chapter in each size category that has most significantly contributed to the professional development of Emerging Leaders by providing a forum of programs and initiatives geared to their unique needs. Chapters of similar size compete with each other for this award.

Chapters can only be nominated for the Emerging Leader Chapter of the Year Award if they have received the Model Young AFCEAN or Model Emerging Leader Program in the same year.

Examples of qualifying programs

• Career development events (e.g. seminars, panels, tours and job fairs)
• Recognition, award and scholarship programs for Emerging Leaders
• Opportunities for chapter committee participation by Emerging Leaders
• Sponsorship of subchapters at academic or military/government training centers

Note: The first Model Young AFCEAN Programs were presented at WEST 2015 and the name of the recognition changed in 2021 to Model Emerging Leader Program.

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The purpose of the Model Emerging Program is to strengthen the program of activities for Emerging Leaders at chapters and to encourage chapters to create Emerging Leader programs if they do not already have one. The program measures the strength, growth and activities of a chapter’s Emerging Leader program over the period of a full fiscal year.

This program recognition is a prerequisite to being nominated for the Emerging Leader Chapter of the Year award.

To apply, chapters must first establish a set of goals for their Emerging Leader Program that are attainable, yet require some effort. These goals must be submitted online to AFCEA International in early fall. The goals are based on the fiscal year (October 1 through September 30).

In the fall of the following year, all chapters enrolled in the Model Emerging Leader Program will submit the results of their efforts for review by their Regional Vice President and AFCEA International's Membership and Chapter Services department. Chapters attaining the Model Emerging Leader Program Recognition will be recognized at the awards ceremony held at WEST in San Diego each February.

Note: The first Model Young AFCEAN Programs were presented at WEST 2015 and the name of the recognition changed in 2021 to Model Emerging Leader Program.

Goals and achievements submissions are now being accepted! Select "Chapter Officer Tools" in the AFCEA portal to submit.

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The Adm. Jon L. Boyes medal is AFCEA's premier award, given for exceptional career service to AFCEA. Winners are selected by the AFCEA International Awards Committee.

Criteria

• Nominees must be a member of AFCEA, and a senior representatives of the communications, electronics, intelligence and information systems community. Nominations should include some or all of the following information:
  • Overall justification as to how and why the candidate exemplifies the consummate AFCEAN
  • Overall justification detailing a tradition of the candidate's service to AFCEA
  • Specific contributions in support of AFCEA's mission, goals and objectives
  • Description of candidate's personification of the AFCEA image

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The Gen. James M. Rockwell recognition is AFCEA's premier award, given for exemplary service to AFCEA over the past year. Winners are selected by an appointed committee. 

Criteria

• Nominees must be a member of AFCEA and a senior representative of the C4I community who has made significant current contributions toward furthering the goals and objectives of the association. Nominations should include some or all of the following information:
  • Overall justification as to how and why the candidate exemplifies the consummate AFCEAN
  • Explanation showing how the candidate's AFCEA participation exceeds the norm
  • Outline of the candidate's total AFCEA involvement, with detailed emphasis on current activities
  • Description of ways in which the candidate involves their organization/people in AFCEA activities
  • Details about candidate's specific contributions in support of AFCEA's mission, goals and objectives

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The Leadership Award is given to a long-standing member of AFCEA with a record of sustained contributions to the association and exceptional leadership skills at a senior level. The submission write-up must be based mainly on leadership in AFCEA rather than the candidate's professional career. Winners are selected by the AFCEA International Awards Committee. Nominees for this award are evaluated through December of the previous year.

The Leadership Award nomination will be graded on the following:

• AFCEA participation and contributions
• Specific examples of performance that highlight outstanding leadership with documented growth and/or improvement in AFCEA under their leadership
• AFCEA Recognition
  • Nominees for this award are expected to be previous Medal of Merit winners and are ranked accordingly during the voting process
  • Other AFCEA recognition including at the chapter level
• Professional Accomplishments
  • Exceptional professional performance at a senior leadership level in the fields of communications, electronics, intelligence and information systems with documented examples
• Recognition
  • Other professional awards/achievements

Criteria

• Must be a current AFCEA member
• Must have been active in AFCEA for at least six years before being nominated for this award
• Must have at least three years in a leadership position at the HQ or chapter level
• Must be able to document a minimum of seven significant AFCEA achievements in the past two years
• If a previous Medal of Merit winner, the award must have been won at least two years prior to being nominated for this award
• Cannot have previously won this Leadership Award
• Individuals cannot nominate themselves
• Nominations must be endorsed by the nominee's AFCEA Regional Vice President

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The Medal of Merit award is for a sustained level of dedicated service to AFCEA, combined with professional excellence at a mid to senior level in the fields of communications, electronics, intelligence and information systems. Contributions to AFCEA will be more heavily weighted than C4I community contributions in the decision process. Winners are selected by the AFCEA International Awards Committee. Nominees for this award are evaluated through December of the previous year.

The Medal of Merit nomination will be graded on the following:

• AFCEA participation and contributions
  •  Details of specific initiatives taken to strengthen AFCEA at a strategic level, such as measures to increase participation, involvement of organization/colleagues
• AFCEA recognition
  • Nominees for this award are expected to be previous Meritorious Service Award winners and are ranked accordingly during the voting process
  • Other AFCEA recognition including at the chapter level
• Professional accomplishments
  • Exceptional professional performance in the fields of communications, electronics, intelligence, and information systems with documented examples
• Recognition
  •  Other professional awards/achievements

Criteria

• Must be a current AFCEA member
• Must have been active in AFCEA for at least four years before being nominated for this award
• Must have held at least two positions on an AFCEA board/committee at the chapter level
• Must be able to document a minimum of five significant AFCEA achievements in the past two years
• If a previous Meritorious Service Award winner, the award must have been won at least two years prior to being nominated for this award
• Cannot have previously won this Medal of Merit
• Individuals cannot nominate themselves
• Nominations must be endorsed by the nominee's AFCEA Regional Vice President

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The Meritorious Service Award is an early- to mid-career award for meritorious contributions to AFCEA and the community, and for professional accomplishments. Contributions to AFCEA will be more heavily weighted than professional performance in the decision process. Winners are selected by the AFCEA International Awards Committee.  Nominees for this award are evaluated through December of the previous year.

The Meritorious Service Award nomination will be graded on the following:

• AFCEA participation and contributions
  • Details of specific initiatives taken to strengthen AFCEA at an operational level, such as recruiting, sponsorship and/or development of events
• AFCEA recognition
  • Nominees for this award are usually winners of Distinguished Young AFCEAN and Emerging Leadership awards, and are ranked accordingly during the voting process
  • Other AFCEA recognition including at the chapter level
• Professional Accomplishments
  • Exceptional career professional performance in the fields of communications, electronics, intelligence, and information systems
• Recognition
  • Other professional awards/achievements

Criteria

• Must be a current AFCEA member
• Must have been active in AFCEA for at least two years before being nominated for this award
• Must have held at least one position on an AFCEA board/committee at the chapter level
• Must be able to document a minimum of three significant AFCEA achievements in the past two years
• If a previous Emerging Leadership winner, the award must have been won at least two years prior to being nominated for this award
• Cannot have previously won this Meritorious Service Award
• Individuals cannot nominate themselves
• Nominations must be endorsed by the nominee's AFCEA Regional Vice President

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2024
Kelly Jenne
Lt. Col. Gilberto Perez

2023
Thelma Barker
Bill Jones

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AFCEA International is honoring a small business of the year. This award will be presented annually and recognizes and honors a small business that demonstrates excellence in specific areas of practice. The award will be presented at AFCEA's TechNet Cyber event in Baltimore in May.

Criteria

• Company is a small business (250 or fewer employees) or nonprofit and championed small business
• AFCEA corporate member
• Company cannot be self-nominated
• Demonstrates commitment to AFCEA's mission, values and activities
• Independently owned and operated (not a subsidiary, division or branch of a larger firm or part of an Alaska Native Organization, Native Hawaiian Organization or other tribal corporation)
• In business for at least three years
• Excellence in the following areas:
  • Client service — shows tangible and acknowledged mission and process improvements within the customer space with measurable impact (time, cost savings, resources, process improvement). Example: Brought new process to customer space that resulted in significant time savings. It improved data processing and quality five-fold. Data processing time went down by 20%.
  • Training and innovation — has a formal training plan or process and can show the number of jobs created. Demonstrates tangible results, such as a specific product, service and/or accomplishment, that positively impacted customer organization. Example: Our company has a formal training plan for each employee. In addition to education, we provide them with hands-on training in our virtual lab. Our comprehensive training approach has measurably contributed to our employees and is a huge plus for our customers by bringing agility in innovation. For example, we prototyped a cloud service for customers and provided them with a blueprint prior to embarking on the effort within customer space.
  • Community and professional outreach — corporate sponsorships (minimum of 2), events hosted and impact on the community (social, financial, increased awareness). Example: For the past two years, our company is a proud sponsor of Toys for Tots. On the yearly basis, our employees volunteer to distribute toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them. We have served more than 500 families.
  • Leadership and commitment — mentoring micro-businesses or individual consultants (number). Example: We have a formal mentoring program. We train and provide resources such as access to contract vehicles and facility clearances to our small business partners.

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AFCEA International is honoring a small business champion working in industry. This award will be presented annually and recognizes and honors a small business champion that demonstrates excellence in specific areas of practice. The award will be presented at AFCEA's TechNet Cyber event in Baltimore in May.

Criteria

• Individual must work for a small business (250 people or fewer employees) or nonprofit and championed small business
• AFCEA corporate member
• Individual cannot be self-nominated
• Demonstrates commitment to AFCEA's mission, values and activities
• Demonstrates excellence in the following areas:
  • Client service — shows tangible, acknowledged mission and process improvements within customer space with measurable impact in time, cost and/or resource savings and process improvement. (Example: brought new process to customer space that resulted in significant time savings. It improved data processing and quality five-fold. Data processing time decreased by 20%).
  • Ethics — insists on the highest ethics in everything he/she does (provide examples)
  • Community and professional outreach — indicate individual memberships in professional organizations (minimum 2), event participation and/or leadership and the impact shown (social, financial, increased awareness). (Example: For the past two years, the nominee has been a proud sponsor of Toys for Tots. On the yearly basis, he/she volunteers to distribute toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them, serving more than 500 families).
  • Innovation — demonstrates tangible results, such as a specific product, service and/or accomplishment, that positively impacted a customer’s mission (savings in time, money or resources and process).
  • Leadership — demonstrates leadership abilities by fostering growth at his/her organization. Participates or leads in customer-community issues and makes positive contributions in the professional development of his/her organization (please list contributions).

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AFCEA International honors a small business government champion annually that demonstrates excellence in specific areas of practice with the government. The award will be presented at the annual TechNet Cyber event in Baltimore in May.

Criteria

• Federal, state or local government employee who has championed small business concerns
• Commitment to AFCEA's mission, values and activities
• Demonstrated excellence in the following areas:
• Small business advocacy - can quantifiably demonstrate small business advocacy and results within his/her agency or sector. Example: Brought in Company X for Y services and provided them with a challenge to developing a technology solution. Exceeded our expectations by delivering a comprehensive solution. Helped a small business to work with a prime and access contract vehicles, facility clearances.
• Leadership - demonstrates leadership abilities by fostering growth at his/her organization, participates or leads in customer-community issues, and makes positive contributions in professional development of his/her organization (please list contributions).
• Community and professional outreach - lists individual memberships (minimum 2), event participation and/or leadership, and the impact shown (social, financial, increased awareness). Example: For the past two years, the nominee has been a proud sponsor of Toys for Tots. On the yearly basis, he/she volunteers to distribute toys to children, serving more than 500 families.
• Innovation - demonstrates tangible results by leading or developing a specific process, service and/or accomplishment that positively impacted organization's mission (time, money, resources, process). Example: The nominee has helped develop our organization’s formal training plan for each employee. In addition to education, we provide them with hands-on training in our virtual lab. Our comprehensive training approach has measurably contributed to our employees and is a huge plus for our customers because it brings agility in innovation. For example, we prototyped a cloud service for customers and provided them with a blueprint prior to embarking on same effort within customer space.
• Ethics - insists on the highest ethics in everything he/she does (provide examples).

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This award recognizes and honors a midsize to large company that demonstrates excellence in specific areas of practice. The award will be presented at AFCEA's TechNet Cyber event in Baltimore in May.

AFCEA International honors a small business advocate. This award recognizes excellence in a large or midsize business that meets the following criteria:

• 250 or more employees
• In business for more than three years
• Annual revenues of at least $125 million
• AFCEA corporate member
• Demonstrated commitment to AFCEA's mission, values and activities

Demonstrated excellence in the following areas:

• Mentor-protégé program - has a formal mentor-protege program. Lists companies they have worked with in the last two years and the impact of the program (increased revenue by x%, job creation #, exposure to customer space, exposure to contract, capability fostering).
• Contract or subcontract opportunities - increases contract and subcontract opportunities in categories specified by SBA. Provides measurable impact (# contracts, subcontracts, actual monitory realization).
• Participation and advocacy - participates in AFCEA and other small business forums. Encourages, facilitates and can quantifiably demonstrate small business advocacy results with respect to capability or customer.
• Ethics - holds reputation as a genuine small business advocate within the government, industry and small business communities. Provide specific action taken (fairness, ethical contracting).

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AFCEA's highest award for sustained excellence in engineering. Formerly the Benjamin H. Oliver Gold Medal for Engineering.

The nominee should reflect one or more of the following criteria:

• Nominee may be an individual or group/team
• Quantifiable outstanding scientific or technical accomplishments in the disciplines of communications, electronics, intelligence, and information systems/networks
• Applied innovative solutions to complex engineering challenges
• Successfully built bridges among communities such as small/large businesses, government and academia to ensure mission success
• Demonstrates commitment to AFCEA's mission, values and activities

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This is a junior/mid-level award in the engineering field.

Nominee should reflect one or more of the following criteria:

• Nominee may be an individual or group/team
• Quantifiable outstanding scientific or technical accomplishments in the disciplines of communications, electronics, intelligence, and information systems/networks
• Applied innovative solutions to complex engineering challenges
• Successfully built bridges among communities such as small/large businesses, government and academia to ensure mission success
• Demonstrates commitment to AFCEA's mission, values and activities

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AFCEA's highest award for sustained excellence in emerging technology.

The nominee should reflect one or more of the following criteria:

• Nominee may be an individual or group/team
• Significant accomplishments in IT through innovation or applications which advance the agency, department, and/or organization's mission or which benefit the public in general
• Noteworthy achievements in programs impacting national strategies and international furthering of knowledge about computers and IT between Defense and other government, national, and/or international communities
• Successfully built bridges among communities such as small/large businesses, government and academia to ensure mission success
• Demonstrates commitment to AFCEA's mission, values and activities

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This is a junior/mid-level award in the emerging technology field.

The nominee should reflect one or more of the following criteria:

• Nominee may be an individual or group/team
• Significant accomplishments in information technology (IT) through innovation or applications which advance the agency, department and/or organization's mission or which benefit the public in general
• Noteworthy achievements in programs impacting national strategies and international furthering of knowledge about computers and IT between Defense and other government, national, and/or international communities
• Successfully built bridges among communities such as small/large businesses, government and academia to ensure mission success
• Demonstrates commitment to AFCEA's mission, values and activities

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This award recognizes an individual or team that has an invention or created an innovative, disruptive technology product, service, process or solution in earlier stage R&D for the advancement and modernization. 

The nominee should reflect one or more of the following criteria:

• The nominee is either an individual or group/team
• The innovation can include, but is not limited to, technology advances in manufactured goods, devices or equipment; programs or applications; software; data management; electronic communications; cybersecurity; information/knowledge systems; networks; and/or mission operations     
• Describe unique benefits from the innovations and the technologies that have been developed.
• The innovation must have a sound conceptual and/or academic foundation in technology to advance in government, nonprofit or industry
• The innovation has specifically demonstrated the potential to save lives and/or significantly improve field operations/logistics/mission systems in military or civilian environments
• Demonstrates commitment to AFCEA's mission, values and activities

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This award recognizes an individual or team that has created an innovative and proven new technology product, service, process or solution.

The nominee should reflect one or more of the following criteria:

• Nominee may be an individual or group/team
• The innovation can include, but is not limited to, technology advances in manufactured goods, devices or equipment; programs or applications; software; data management; electronic communications; cybersecurity; information/knowledge systems; networks; and/or mission operations
• The innovation must have a track record of being a proven technology advance in government, nonprofit or industry
• The innovation has specifically demonstrated the ability to save lives and/or significantly improve field operations/logistics/mission systems in military or civilian environments
• Demonstrates commitment to AFCEA's mission, values and activities

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This AFCEA award honors senior-level intelligence professionals who are making significant contributions.

Criteria

Candidates for this award must demonstrate a long and distinguished record of significant accomplishments and senior leadership in support of the intelligence community at the national and/or international level.

Submission

The nomination must describe the candidate's professional record, detailing significant accomplishments in the intelligence arena. Where applicable, highlight the nominee's contributions to the AFCEA Intelligence program, whether at the chapter or international level.

About Charlie Allen

In 2009, AFCEA renamed its senior intelligence award in honor of Mr. Charles E. Allen. In doing so, it helped to recognize a legend. Few if any intelligence professionals have contributed to U.S. intelligence and national security as has Mr. Allen. Known by his friends and admirers as “Charlie,” he served as a senior government executive for more than 25 years (more than 51 years total service) with extensive experience in program management, intelligence analysis and production, intelligence collection management, and system acquisition. He held senior intelligence and management positions with responsibilities for providing all-source intelligence to cabinet-level officials and as a program manager under the Director of National Intelligence.

Mr. Allen is a nationally recognized expert in counterterrorism, homeland security, warning intelligence and information sharing with regular appearances before Congressional committees.  He is also a frequent speaker at national and international conferences on terrorism and homeland security. He established an unprecedented program at the Department of Homeland Security for sharing intelligence and intelligence-related information with law enforcement, homeland security officials and senior executives in the U.S. private sector. He also managed a sensitive, compartmented White House-driven acquisition program designed to strengthen U.S. national security.

A brief listing of his most prominent assignments includes:

• Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis and Chief Intelligence Officer, Department of Homeland Security
• Assistant Director of Central Intelligence for Collection, Central Intelligence Agency
• National Intelligence Officer for Warning/Director National Warning Staff
• National Intelligence Officer for Counter Terrorism/Deputy Chief for Intelligence, CIA Counterterrorism Center
• Deputy Program Manager of Compartmented White House Directed Program

Since retiring from active government service, Mr. Allen continues to contribute in a variety of ways including as a member of the AFCEA Intelligence Committee. AFCEA is honored to name its highest intelligence award The Charlie Allen Award for Intelligence.

This award is presented at the AFCEA Spring Intelligence Symposium.

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Nominations are open from October 8, 2024 through January 28, 2025.

Overview
The AFCEA Award for Excellence in Defense Scientific & Technical Intelligence recognizes achievements for the 2024 calendar year. The award is sponsored by the Intelligence Committee of AFCEA International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the breadth, depth and scope of national security dialogue in the fields of intelligence, cyber, defense, homeland security and their associated technologies.

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Award Eligibility and Criteria
Two awards will be given: an individual award and a team award. Organizations and agencies across the defense and intelligence communities, including government agencies, contractors and industry partners are eligible to nominate candidates. The individual award is open to active duty and reserve members of the armed forces and to federal government employees. The team award is open to the same categories as the individual award, plus industry and civilian contractor employees.

Nominees must have made a specific, demonstrable contribution to the advancement of scientific and technical intelligence in one or more of the following categories:

• Foundational Military Intelligence

• Intelligence Analysis

• Intelligence Innovation

Note: Nominations in this category may include efforts that led to the “fast learning,” i.e., the initial objective was not achieved but the resultant failure
or unanticipated outcome informed timely reassessment of the problem
and guided follow-on activity or investments.  

Nominations should address accomplishment within one or more of the categories above. In addition to the inherent value of nominations within the categories above, the selection panel will consider submissions that recognize the doctrinal, financial, organizational, or other dimensions of the categories above. All submissions should highlight exceptional initiative, leadership and professional insight. Each nominating organization is limited to a single individual and team submission. Nominations must be unclassified. A short, classified supplement can be submitted separately but is not required.   

Nominations and Presentation
Awardees will be selected from nominations received from individual commands or agencies that are subordinate to one of the eighteen intelligence community organizations and industry partners supporting them.

Letters of endorsement and letters of recommendation are neither required nor desired.

Selection
A selection panel of current and former intelligence community leaders – including representatives from the private sector and academia - will select the awardees. Winners will be announced approximately one month in advance of the award presentations at the annual AFCEA International Spring Intelligence Symposium on April 1-2, 2025 at the NGA Campus East Conference Center in Springfield, Virginia. 

Submit an Individual Nomination Submit a Team Nomination

This is awarded to chapters that have most significantly contributed to the goals of AFCEA. Winning chapters, which compete against other chapters in the same size category, are selected by the AFCEA International Awards Committee.

Maj. Gen. Harry C. Ingles was Chief Signal Officer of the Army from July 1, 1943, until March 31, 1947. During Ingles' tenure in the branch's highest position, Signal troops landed in France on D‑Day by parachute with the 101st Airborne and afoot with the 294th and 286th Joint Assault Signal Companies on Omaha and Utah Beaches, respectively. The 165th Signal Photographic Company also landed with the first infantry elements at Omaha Beach. Ingles, who was born in Pleasant Hill, Nebraska, on March 12, 1888, graduated from West Point in 1914, and served in World War II in both Panama and the European Theater of Operations before becoming chief signal officer.  After its phenomenal buildup for the war, the Corps lost its aviation communications‑electronics responsibilities to other services, but the expanding military communications‑electronics field quickly restored its losses and greatly enlarged the Signal Corps.

The Harry C. Ingles Chapter Award nominations will be graded on the following:

• Fostering a healthy and growing organization by sponsoring events that benefit a broad range of its membership
• Displaying positive growth in individual membership recruiting and retentions
• Recognizing the accomplishments of chapter members through nominations to the AFCEA International Awards Program and through local chapter awards programs
• Recognizing chapter and individual member achievements and activities through the publication of chapter news items in SIGNAL Magazine
• Sponsoring at least one annual professional development event, in addition to regular chapter meetings, that meets the special needs of the local membership, thereby fostering a stronger chapter organization
• Supporting a local scholarship and awards program, or participating in the AFCEA International Educational Foundation program

Criteria

• Chapter must have been chartered for a full year prior to the evaluation period
• Chapter must have a minimum of 25 members
• Chapter must have submitted its Annual Report to HQ for the prior year
• Chapter must have been granted the Model Chapter award for the current year
• Nomination must be endorsed by the chapter's Regional Vice President

• Nomination must include a description of chapter activities highlighting the points listed above

The Model Chapter Program strengthens the overall chapter structure and program of activities. In the late fall, chapters receive notice of the program. To apply, chapters must establish a set of goals for the coming calendar year that are attainable yet require some effort. These goals are then submitted online to the Member and Chapter Services Department at AFCEA International by early February.

All chapters enrolled in the Model Chapter Program will submit a Final Achievement report of their efforts for review by their Regional Vice President by mid-February.

This recognition program is a prerequisite to being nominated for the Harry C. Ingles Chapter Award.

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2024
San Diego Chapter
Washington, D.C. Chapter

2023
Belvoir Chapter
Czech Chapter
Hawaii Chapter

Chapter Award

This award recognizes an AFCEA Chapter that has provided significant support to the AFCEA Educational Foundation.

Nominations for this award are accepted from AFCEA Chapter presidents, Educational Foundation members, AFCEA International Board members and Executive Committee members.

The Distinguished Educational Foundation Support award may not be conferred every year. In exceptional cases, a second award can be bestowed.

The AFCEA Awards Committee selects the recipient. The award is presented in advance of a major AFCEA International event.

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Chapter Award

This award recognizes an AFCEA chapter supporting its local community with scholarships and K-12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs.

Nominations for this award are accepted from AFCEA Chapter presidents, Educational Foundation members, AFCEA International Board members and Executive Committee members. 

The Distinguished Achievement to the Education Community award may not be conferred every year.  In exceptional cases, a second award can be bestowed.

The AFCEA Awards Committee selects the recipient. The award is presented in advance of a major AFCEA International event.

NOMINATE A CANDIDATE

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The AFCEA ROTC Honor Award recognizes ROTC cadet and midshipman achievement in leadership and academics. Recipients of the ROTC Honor Award are required to be in their junior year of school and will be selected by individual professors of military science, naval science or aerospace studies in accordance with the appropriate Service Department Regulations.

Each ROTC unit may make one Honor Award nomination annually. The Army, Navy/Marine Corps and Air Force ROTC units at an institution may each submit one nomination.

Eligibility

Students receiving the ROTC Honor Certificate Award must be juniors preparing to enter their senior year (rising seniors) who are majoring in electronics, electrical, aerospace, or communications engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science or technology, information management systems or related technical disciplines. Nominees should demonstrate high academic achievement.

The award includes a framed certificate with the honoree's name prominently inscribed and a ribbon bar. The certificate and ribbon bar will be mailed in time for the ceremony. If you make a request at the last minute, we do not guarantee that the award will reach you in time.  Awards are sent via regular first class mail. If you request a representative and there is an AFCEA Chapter within 50 miles of your university, we will contact the chapter to see if they can send a representative. We ask the chapter to contact you directly if they have a member who can attend.

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The AFCEA Educational Foundation presents approximately 150 awards for academic excellence in more than 30 educational institutions and training commands of the uniformed services each year.

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This writing competition focuses on the digital frontier. Writers can explore ongoing or potential cyber hazards and threats as well as possible solutions to address the challenges. Judges choose three winners for monetary prizes. Before 2019, the SIGNAL writing award was called the Sparky Baird Writing Award* and was annually given to the author(s) of the outstanding SIGNAL Magazine article of the year.

The winners will receive engraved awards and monetary prizes and will be recognized during an awards ceremony at AFCEA International’s TechNet Cyber conference, May 6-8, 2025 in Baltimore. All three winning articles will be published in SIGNAL Magazine’s July issue as part of The Cyber Edge special section.  

2025 winners

past award Winners 

Col. W.J. "Sparky" Baird, USA (Ret.), became editor of SIGNAL Magazine in 1956 and held that position for 18 years. He assumed the additional duty of AFCEA general manager in 1959. 

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Saint Isidore Cyber Award Overview

The AFCEA Saint Isidore Cyber Award recognizes individuals across the Joint Services who demonstrate exceptional initiative, leadership, insight and cyber excellence within their area of expertise. The award consists of three levels:

Gold Medallion: The Gold Level Medallion is the highest award and recognizes those who have rendered conspicuous, long-term service and significant contributions to the cyber mission. Recipients have so singularly distinguished themselves as contributors to the cyber mission that they have few peers. Nominees are recognized throughout their Service and at the national level for their cyber contributions. There are five Gold Level awards allocated for each year. A general officer or SES endorsement is required. Recipients will be awarded a gold medallion with a ribbon and a certificate.

Silver Medallion: The Silver Level Medallion recognizes those who have made significant contributions to the promotion of the cyber mission in ways that stand out in the eyes of recipients, their superiors, subordinates and peers. These nominees are seasoned individuals within their military branch and are recognized at the Service level for their contributions to the cyber mission and field, as well as within the organization. These individuals must also demonstrate the highest standards of integrity and moral character, display an outstanding degree of professional competence and serve the cyber mission with distinction. There are 10 Silver Level awards allocated for each year. A colonel (commander/chief of staff/director) endorsement is required. Recipients will be awarded a silver medallion with a ribbon and certificate.

Bronze Medallion: The Bronze Level Medallion recognizes those who have demonstrated the highest standards of integrity, professional competence and selflessness while contributing significantly to the promotion and betterment of the cyber mission. Nominees are recognized within their organization as knowledgeable within the cyber field and as emerging cyber leaders. There are 20 Bronze Level awards allocated for each year. A lieutenant colonel (commander/deputy commander/XO) endorsement is required. Recipients will be awarded a bronze medallion with ribbon and certificate.

Eligibility Criteria

Any service member or DoD civilian assigned to or attached to cyber organizations identified in the distribution list of the annual Saint Isidore Award Cyber Award Memorandum who have demonstrated the highest standards of honor and moral character and provided considerable and lasting contributions to the cyber mission during the past year is eligible for consideration. Exceptions to these criteria will be considered by the selection committee. Industry contractors are not eligible for the award. The selection committee will consist of members of AFCEA, government volunteers, academia and industry cyber professionals who represent the highest standards of conduct and performance.

History

In October 2010, then-Maj. Gen. Rhett A. Hernandez, USA, assumed command of U.S. Army Cyber Command (ARCYBER). During a previous assignment in Saudi Arabia as chief, U.S. Military Training Mission, U.S. Central Command, the general instituted a three-tiered award medallion, funded by the Saudis, to foster morale in his training mission, and he desired to do the same at ARCYBER. In July 2011, he began action with the ARCYBER Command Historian to initiate a three-tiered award medallion for the October 2011 ARCYBER Ball. The Staff Judge Advocate advised Gen. Hernandez that a private organization would need to sponsor and fund such an unofficial award. AFCEA International was a logical initial selection to support the award as it was a nonprofit organization that focuses on the ethical dialogue between government, industry, and academia and has strong roots to information technology, intelligence, and cybersecurity as a part of its organizational core values. Additionally, AFCEA hosted and sponsored numerous awards in support of leadership and volunteer support by AFCEA members, industry, government and academia.

The concept was three categories of awards—Gold, Silver and Bronze. The recipients would be chosen through a nomination and review board process to determine the levels of cyber contributions and expertise throughout Army Cyber Command initially and with a vision of a broader outreach that included the Joint Services and U.S. Cyber Command. A search for a historical figure to represent the highest ideal of the essence of cybersecurity and the study of the evolving world of challenges of tomorrow followed.

St. Isidore of Seville was identified as the leading candidate. St. Isidore served as Archbishop of Seville for more than three decades and is considered as “the last scholar of the ancient world,” according to the 19th century historian Montalembert.

In 1997, Pope John Paul II decided the internet should have a patron saint to guide Catholics in its proper use. The Church considered St. Isidore of Seville (560-636 AD) as a worthy candidate for the patron saint of the internet, but never made a final selection. St. Isidore was a Doctor of the Church and last of the Latin Fathers. His 20-book opus, which was called Etymologia after the subject title of one of the books, made him a worthy choice. The word “etymology” was Isidore’s own coinage. It means “the study of origins.” Today, the term is limited to the history, or origin, of words. The Patron St. Isidore of Seville is also known as the father of the encyclopedia as the twenty-book opus included a broad selection of topics ranging from the study of grammar in book one to the study of domestic and agricultural tools and furniture in book 20.

Gen. Hernandez, the ARCYBER team, and AFCEA selected St. Isidore of Seville to represent the Cyber award in 2011. AFCEA International currently serves as the sponsor of the award, coordinates an annual Joint selection board that includes representatives from the Joint Staff, each Service and representatives from industry, and academia. AFCEA coordinates the selection process, provides the medals, award certificates, delivery of awards and participates in the presentation of awards at the AFCEA hosted “TechNet Cyber” and at organizational special events.

For more information, contact Col. Mike Black, USAF (Ret.), AFCEA Vice President for Defense.

VIEW THE 2025 AWARD MEMORANDUM

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The U.S. Naval Institute and AFCEA International are honored to recognize individuals each year who are selected based on their sustained superior performance in a C4I/IT-related job. A board of judges reviews nominations from the departments of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, including active duty and civilians, and makes the selections.

The Copernicus Award recognizes individual contributions to naval warfare in C4I/IT, Information Systems, Cyber Operations, and Information Warfare.

The awardee will be selected from nominations received from U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard (including Joint/NATO) commands, afloat and ashore. Each nomination command is limited to two nominees. No contractor or team (more than one person) nominations will be accepted. Nominations must be unclassified.

This award is presented at the WEST conference in San Diego, California. 

Nominations open September 10 - November 1

Please see the Copernicus Award Webpage for nomination details.

Copernicus Award Webpage

NAVADMIN FY23 Copernicus Award Winners Announcement

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Background

The Enlisted Superior Performer (ESP) Awards are presented annually at WEST to recognize the service of those military members who have been selected by their commands for particularly superior service in the past year. Recipients are awarded one-year memberships in both AFCEA International and the U.S. Naval Institute. Awardees and their commanding officers are invited to attend one of three luncheons held at WEST, where they are recognized. 

Approximately 40 awardees total are recognized each day, with senior enlisted advisers announcing each recipient from the podium. In addition to the individual nominees, one command representative is also invited to attend.   

Participating Commands include:

• Coast Guard Pacific Area
• Naval Information Warfare Systems Command
• I Marine Expeditionary Force (includes 1st MarDiv, 1st MLG, & 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing)
• Naval Air Forces Pacific                                                                               
• Navy Region Southwest        
• Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet
• U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego
• Navy Special Warfare Command
• U.S. THIRD Fleet
• Navy Medicine West                                                                                                 
• Undersea Warfighting Development Center
• Surface Mine Warfighting Development Center
• Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center
• Marine Corps Air Station Yuma                                                                                
• Marine Corps Installations West–Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton
• Marine Corps Communications-Electronics School
• Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity
• Navy Submarine Development Squadron 

The Fed ID Planning Committee created the FedID awards program to recognize individuals and/or teams that have substantially contributed to the advancement of the federal government’s identity capabilities, practices, and education. 

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