The National Reconnaissance Office

BPO/CSNR is now accepting 2022 PIONEER NOMINATIONS

For more information – visit:

www.nro.gov/History-and-Studies/Center-for-the-Study-of-NationalReconnaissance/Leaders-Pioneers-Artifacts/

The National Reconnaissance Pioneer 

Program recognizes and honors 

individuals who have made significant 

and lasting contributions to national 

reconnaissance–pioneering contributions 

that were innovative, remarkable, and 

changed the direction and scope of the 

discipline and its practice. Each year, 

the DNRO selects and recognizes very few 

individuals as Pioneers of National 

Reconnaissance. As of 2021, there have 

been 99 Pioneers who have been 

recognized and inducted. It is the 

highest honor in the field of national 

reconnaissance.

You can submit Nomination Form with BIO 

or RESUME (in NRO Format) to 

email: CSNR@nro.mil. Deadline for 

NOMINATIONS is 15 November 2022.

Fact Sheet and Selection Criteria 

Checklist gives an overview regarding 

nomination specifications. 

Any U.S. citizen (federal employee, 

private sector employee, retired person, 

or other private citizen) may initiate 

and nominate individuals as candidates

for consideration for selection as a 

Pioneer of National Reconnaissance.

Eligibility: The following category of 

individuals, whether U.S. or foreign 

nationals, in active or retired status, 

living or deceased, are eligible to be 

designated as Pioneer of National 

Reconnaissance:

1) Federal civilian employees (not 

limited to NRO employment);

2) Military personnel (not limited to 

assignment to the NRO);

3) Contractor and industry employees; 

and

4) Members of the academic and research 

communities.

The following individuals (whom DNRO has 

previously recognized) are ineligible to 

be designated as Pioneers of National 

Reconnaissance:

1) Former DNROs, Principal Deputy 

Directors (PDDs), Deputy Directors 

(DDs);

2) Directors of the former NRO 

alphabetic programs;

3) Founders of National Reconnaissance; 

and

4) Previously inducted Pioneers of 

National Reconnaissance.
c. State *: d. Zip code *:

a. Street *:

9. Education (degree and school):

3. Organizational affiliation while making Pioneering contribution: 

4. Position served in organization while making Pioneering contribution: 

PIONEER RECOGNITION NOMINATION

(Advancing National Reconnaissance by Recognizing Innovative & Pioneering Contributions in Our Heritage)

1. Full Name: 

6. Organizational Affiliations during National Reconnaissance career:

1. Specific Innovative Pioneering contribution: 

7. Current Employment Status:

 II. SPECIFICATION OF INNOVATIVE PIONEERING CONTRIBUTION

 I. IDENTIFICATION OF NOMINEE (*Denotes required field)

Classify Appropriately When Filled In

N12-53, Aug 2022

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301, "Departmental Regulations"; National Security Act of 1947, as amended, 50 U.S.C. 401 et seq., "Congressional declaration of purpose"; E.O. 9397, "Federal Agency Use of Social Security 

Numbers"; and E.O. 12333, as amended, "United States Intelligence Activities." 

Purpose(s): This information will be used to manage, supervise, and administer NRO personnel support programs relating to personnel management, official travel, timecards and leave records, awards, training, loan 

of property, security, emergency recall rosters and contact information; to support organizational and personnel reporting requirements; to support organizational and strategic planning and workforce modeling; to 

support workplace violence protection programs; to support diversity initiatives; and to respond to personnel or related taskings. 

Routine uses: In addition to the statutory disclosures permitted under 5 U.S.C. 552a(b) of the Privacy Act, under QNRO-24 these records may specifically be disclosed outside the NRO as a routine use pursuant to 5 

U.S.C. 552a(b)(3). Disclosures may be pursuant to DoD `Blanket Routines Uses' published in the Federal Register at the beginning of the NRO compilation of systems of records notices. 

Disclosures: Disclosure of information is voluntary; however, failure to provide complete information may delay processing of the form. 

3. Date of Birth: 

2.

5. Period of career in National Reconnaissance: To: 

8. Current Employer (if employed):

10. Contact Information (if deceased, name, relationship, and contact information for next of kin):

b. City *:

e. Personal Telephone *: f. Unsecure Work Telephone: 

g. Personal Email: 

2. Date of Innovative Pioneering contribution: 

5. Grade or rank while making Pioneering contribution: 

 III. NOMINATOR INFORMATION

1. Nominator's Name: 

c. State: d. Zip code: 

a. Street:

2. Contact Information:

b. City: 

e. Personal Telephone: f. Unsecure Work Telephone: 

g. Personal Email: 

4. Place of Birth: 

Classify appropriately when filled in

B-RCS: B-100-03

PREVIOUS EDITIONS ARE OBSOLETE

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OPR: BPO/CSNR

Living Deceased

Full-Time Part-Time Retired

PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT

DRV FROM:

DECL ON:

CL BY:

For assistance with this form, contact NRO Forms

UNCLASSIFIED UNTIL FILLED IN

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 IV. EXPLANATION OF NOMINEE'S INNOVATIVE PIONEERING CONTRIBUTION

N12-53, AUG 2022

1. Complete the sentence and paragraph by specifying the nominee's Innovative Pioneering contribution national reconnaissance: 

The nominee pioneered: (125 words)

2. Describe the complexity and challenges the nominee faced while making the Pioneering contribution: (150 Words)

3. Relate the nominee's Innovative and Pioneering contribution to the Selection Criteria: (See Pioneer Program Fact Sheet) (150 Words)

4. Suggest an unclassified citation that could be displayed on a medallion in the Pioneer Hall. The citation should identify the nominee's Pioneering contribution 

and explain how it changed the scope and direction of National Reconnaissance. The citation must begin with the phrase: "[insert honorific title and name] 

pioneered..." (50 words)

Classify Appropriately When Filled In 

Classify Appropriately When Filled In 

PIONEER RECOGNITION PROGRAM NOMINATION

5. NOTE: YOU MUST ATTACH A ONE PAGE BIO OR RESUME IN NRO FORMAT FOR YOUR NOMINATION TO BE CONSIDERED.

 (You must adhere to the specified word limit per category. The total length may not exceed one single-spaced page.)

DRV FROM: PAGE 2 OF 3

CL BY:

DECL ON:

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N12-53, AUG 2022

Specific Instructions for Section IV 

 

You must adhere to the word limit indicated for each category. Your description of the nominee's contribution should not exceed one, single-spaced 

typewritten page. In addition, a bio and/or resume must be attached to this nomination form in order for the nomination to be considered.

Director, National Reconnaissance Office 

Center for the Study of National Reconnaissance 

Office of Business Plans and Operations 

Attn: Executive Secretary, Pioneer Selection Board 

14675 Lee Road 

Chantilly, VA 20151-1715 

 

Fax (U) 703-227-9073 

Fax (S) 703-227-9375

PIONEER RECOGNITION NOMINATION (Instructions)

General Instructions 

 

The purpose of this history and heritage recognition program is to advance the discipline of national reconnaissance by recognizing innovative and 

pioneering contributions that are part of the legacy of national reconnaissance, but can offer insight, lessons, and models of success for current and future 

challenges. Be specific (while observing security classification rules). The more precise and complete the narrative, the more competitive the nomination will 

be. 

 

After an initial review, the Pioneer Selection Board will identify a subset of nominees for further consideration. The Pioneer Selection Board will request indepth additional explanations of those nominees' innovative, pioneering contributions from responsible nominators. 

Specific Instructions for Section I, Item 6 

 

"Affiliation" refers to the nominee's parent employment organization (e.g. CIA, Air Force, Navy, Specific Industry Company, etc.) If known, identify the 

specific component/office in which the nominee worked when he/she made this contribution.

Security 

 

If you complete this form in a non-secure classification area, all information must be UNCLASSIFIED. Be sure to indicate the classification level of your 

nomination at the top and bottom of each page.

Questions 

 

If you have questions about this form or the Pioneer Recognition Program, please contact the Center for the Study of National Reconnaissance (CSNR), by 

calling either the Chief/Recognition, Exhibits, & Outreach (REO/CSNR) at 703-227-9061 or the CSNR Front Office at 703-227-9368. You may also send an 

email to CSNR@nro.mil

Submission 

 

Use the address below for UNCLASSIFIED MAILING ONLY. You must submit any classified nominations via secure channels.

Specific Instructions for Section I, Item 10 a-f 

 

These fields must be completed, otherwise the nomination will not be processed.

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CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE

Fact Sheet

Pioneer Recognition & Research Program

Overview

The Pioneer Recognition & Research Program is an NRO Heritage recognition program that supports (1) a strong 

research-based activity that documents NRO’s heritage and identifies lessons; (2) informs NRO leadership and 

workforce on lessons for pioneering innovations; (3) recognizes and pays tribute to models of excellence in innovation 

to inspire and motivate; (4) advances national reconnaissance with insights into pioneering innovation; and (5) increases 

knowledge of national reconnaissance so as to improve planning and execution of the NRO mission.

A Pioneer of National Reconnaissance is an individual who, at any point in the history of national reconnaissance, 

made an innovative break through that resulted in a lasting and significant contribution that changed the direction or 

scope of the discipline. Each year, the Director, National Reconnaissance Office (DNRO) selects and recognizes a 

very few individuals as Pioneers of National Reconnaissance. 

Eligibility 

Persons of all organizational affiliations and status are eligible for nomination as Pioneers. Nominees may be living 

or deceased, currently working in the field of national reconnaissance or retired, government employees (military or 

civilian) or from the private sector (contractor or academic personnel). Four groups of individuals are ineligible for 

nomination because of prior recognition: (1) previously recognized pioneers, (2) Founders of National 

Reconnaissance, (3) Legacy Alphabetic Program Directors, and (4) Directors/Deputy Directors of the NRO. (See the 

reverse side of this Fact Sheet for the names of these previously recognized individuals.) 

Nominations 

Anyone may nominate an individual as a candidate for Pioneer selection. Nominations must include the identification 

of the specific technical, programmatic, and/or system contribution for which the individual is being nominated. The 

Pioneer Selection Board applies a time-test for historical impact to the contributions and achievements of Pioneer 

nominees, and often will defer consideration of nominees whose contributions and achievements occurred within the 

past five years. 

Selection Criteria 

While many individuals have made important contributions to national reconnaissance, recognition as a Pioneer of 

National Reconnaissance requires: (a) the accomplishment of a specific pioneering innovative breakthrough of lasting

impact. A summary of the selection criteria are (See Pioneer Selection Criteria Checklist for more details):

 Relevance—Contribution must have been directly related to the discipline and practice of national 

reconnaissance (e.g., conceiving and developing sensors or supporting systems; conceiving and developing 

techniques and methods for national reconnaissance; conceiving and developing acquisition, contracting, or 

security innovation; leading or managing fabrication or operation of systems).

 Innovative and Pivotal—Contribution must have been an innovative and pivotal so as to have changed the 

direction and scope of the discipline and practice of national reconnaissance.

 Unique—Contribution must have been unique in that it was a “first and only” breakthrough.

 Time Tested—Contribution must have demonstrated it value by being “time-tested” for its historical impact 

(generally at least over a five-year period).

Pioneer recognition is for specific innovative pioneering contributions that impacted on the heritage of national 

reconnaissance. Those activities that place performance outside that context are disqualifiers: 

 Awarding government personnel general performance—Justifications that are for customary outstanding 

performance, such as sustained high performance and life-time achievement would disqualify the 

nomination, for which human resources awards and recognition programs are more appropriate.

 Contract performance—Recognition in connection with a contract award fee or performance in connection 

with current contract work would disqualify a nomination, for which there are contracting mechanisms.

Contact Information: For more information about the Pioneer Recognition & Research Program, please contact the Chief/Recognition, 

Exhibits, and Outreach/Center for the Study of National Reconnaissance (CSNR) at 703-227-9061 or the CSNR Front Office at 703-227-9368, 

CSNR@nro.mil

August 2022
2

Pioneers of National Reconnaissance (99 Pioneers)

Raymond E. Anderson (2008)

M. Sam Araki (2004)

James G. Baker (2000)

Timothy J. Barnes (2017)

C. Lee Battle, Jr. (2000)

John T. Bennett (2000) 

Thomas A. Brackey (2011)

Howard G. Brotherton (2008)

John W. Browning (2000)

Jon H. Bryson (2000)

A. Roy Burks (2000)

Frank S. Buzard (2000)

James P. Campbell (2009)

Cornelius W. Chambers (2000)

Ingard M. Clausen (2006)

Vance D. Coffman (2002)

Harvey Cohen (2004)

Lacy G. Cook (2009)

John O. Copley (2000)

Donald L. Cromer (2001)

Robert H. Crotser (2000)

John J. Crowley (2000)

Rod J. Dallaire (2020)

L. Porter Davis (2015)

James C. de Broekert (2000)

Paul S. Demshur (2021)

Robert H. Dumais (2010) 

Joseph J. Eash (2011)

Robert E. Eisenhauer (2005)

Carl L. Ferdensi, Jr. (2003)

Thomas C. Fitzsimmons (2014)

Gary S. Geyer (2000)

Jack A. Gibbs (2010)

Thomas O. Haig (2000)

Lee M. Hammarstrom (2002)

Fred V. Hellrich (2006)

A.J. Iorillo (2001)

Robert Kaemmerer (2004)

Paul G. Kaminski (2007)

Frederick H. Kaufman (2000)

David L. Klinger (2006)

Robert J. Kohler (2000)

Ellis E. Lapin (2000)

Lloyd K. Lauderdale (2000)

Richard S. Leghorn (2000)

Walter J. Levison (2000)

Howard O. Lorenzen (2000)

Frank J. Madden (2000)

Mahen Jr., Edward C. (2018)

Michael F. Maguire (2009)

James T. Mannen (2000)

Roger C. Marsh (2005)

Paul W. Mayhew (2000)

Reid D. Mayo (2000)

James W. McAnally (2004)

Edward A. Miller (2005)

William G. Montgomery (2013)

James E. Morgan (2000)

Mark N. Morton (2000)

Alden V. Munson, Jr. (2000)

Charles L. Murphy (2000)

Frederic C.E. Oder (2000)

Robert F. O’Donnell (2012)

Hilliard W. Paige (2008)

John Parangosky (2000)

Michael N. Parker (2011)

Robert L. Paulson (2002)

Julius P. Peline (2000)

Robert M. Powell (2000)

Michael G. Price (2020)

Wayne L. Proffitt (2005)

Richard J. Randazzo (2010)

David Raspet (2003)

Edward H. Reese (2000)

Thomas R. Reinehr (2016)

Kerry D. Rines (2021)

Osmond J. Ritland (2000)

Lee W. Roberts (2000)

Vincent S. Rose (2001)

Charles R. Roth (2000)

Robert W. Roy (2000) 

John Shipley (2011)

Donald N. Simkins (2013)

Charles P. Spoelhof (2000)

Staubach, Carol A. (2019)

John R. Stavlo (2014)

Forrest H. Stieg (2000)

Marvin S. Stone (2000)

James W. Stoner (2003)

Don F. Tang (2000)

Charles C. Tevis (2003) 

Richard C. Van Wagoner (2011)

John Walton (2001)

Albert D. Wheelon (2000)

Peter G. Wilhelm (2000)

Sun Yet Wong (2007)

Jane A. Wood (2006)

Roy H. Worthington (2000)

Robert W. Yundt (2000)

Founders of National Reconnaissance (11 Founders)

William O. Baker (2000)

Merton E. Davies (2000)

Sidney D. Drell (2000)

Richard L. Garwin (2000)

Jimmie D. Hill (2012)

Amrom H. Katz (2000)

James R. Killian, Jr. (2000)

Edwin H. Land (2000)

Frank W. Lehan (2000)

William J. Perry (2000)

Edward M. Purcell (2000)

Legacy Alphabetic Program Directors

Lew Allen, Jr. (Program A)

Bernard L. Bailey (Program D)

Thomas C. Betterton (Program C)

David D. Bradburn (Program A)

Dennis M. Brooks (Program C)

Julian Caballero, Jr. (Program B)

Robert T. Darcy (Program C)

Leslie C. Dirks (Program B)

Carl E. Duckett (Program B)

Eugene B. Fluckey (Program C)

Leo Geary (Program D)

Robert K. Geiger (Program C)

Robert E. Greer (Program A)

Frederick J. Harlfinger, II (Prog C)

Frank W. Hartley, Jr. (Program D)

R. Evans Hineman (Program B)

Ralph H. Jacobson (Program A)

William G. King (Program A)

John E. Kulpa, Jr. (Program A)

Jack C. Ledford (Program B)

Nathan J. Lindsay (Program A)

Vernon L. Lowrance (Program C)

John L. Martin, Jr. (Program A)

Lee Roy Patterson (Program C)

Clason B. Saunders (Program D) 

Herbert Scoville, Jr. (Program B)

Huntington D. Sheldon (Prog B)

Jay W. Sprague (Program C)

Rufus L. Taylor (Program C)

Grover M. Yowell (Program C)

DNROs, PDDNROs, and DDNROs of National Reconnaissance

Edward C. Aldridge, Jr. (DNRO)

Mark Baird (DDNRO)

Richard M. Bissell, Jr. (DNRO)

Frank Calvelli (PDDNRO)

Bruce Carlson (DNRO)

Joseph V. Charyk (DNRO)

Charles W. Cook (DDNRO)

Anthony J. Cotton (DDNRO)

Stephen Denker (DDNRO)

Martin C. Faga (DNRO)

Dennis Fitzgerald (PDDNRO)

Alexander H. Flax (DNRO)

Michael A. Guetlein (DDNRO)

Donald L. Haas (DDNRO)

Keith R. Hall (DDNRO, DNRO)

Ralph S. Haller (PDDNRO)

Jeffrey K. Harris (DNRO)

Robert J. Hermann (DNRO)

Jimmie D. Hill (DDNRO)

Donald M. Kerr (DNRO)

Eugene P. Kiefer (DDNRO)

David Kier (DDNRO)

Scott F. Large (PDDNRO, DNRO)

Hans Mark (DNRO)

Susan K. Mashiko (DDNRO)

Troy E. Meink (PDDNRO)

John L. McLucas (DNRO)

Brockway McMillan (DNRO)

F. Robert Naka (DDNRO)

Ellen M. Pawlikowski (DDNRO)

James W. Plummer (DNRO)

James Q. Reber (DDNRO)

Thomas C. Reed (DNRO)

Betty J. Sapp (PDDNRO, DNRO)

Christopher J. Scolese (DNRO)

John T. Sheridan (DDNRO)

Donna D. Shipton (DDNRO)

Robert D. Singel (DDNRO)

Peter B. Teets (DNRO)

14675 Lee Rd.

Chantilly, VA 20151

CSNR@nro.mil 703-227-9368
1

CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE (CSNR)

Selection Criteria Checklist

Pioneers of National Reconnaissance

Overview. The spirit and direction of the Nation are founded upon and reflected in its historic heritage, 

and the Congress and President have declared that the historical and cultural foundations of the Nation 

should be preserved as a living part of our community life and development in order to give a sense of 

orientation to the American people. The selection criteria for Pioneers of National Reconnaissance 

support this objective.

Pioneers are to be selected as a means to ensure that the vital legacy of the cultural, educational, 

aesthetic, inspirational, economic, and energy benefits derived from their contributions to the discipline 

of national reconnaissance will be maintained and enriched for future generations of Americans. 

Qualifying Factors. In administering the historic resources of national reconnaissance in a spirit of 

stewardship for the inspiration and benefit of present and future generations, the National 

Reconnaissance Office (NRO) selects Pioneers of National Reconnaissance based on five qualifying criteria 

that reflect the degree to which the individuals’ contributions to the discipline of national reconnaissance

are: (1) relevant, (2) innovative and pivotal, (3) unique, and (4) time-tested. 

1. Relevant. The pioneering contribution must be relevant by being directly related to the discipline 

and practice of national reconnaissance. National reconnaissance is defined as technical 

intelligence collection funded by the National Reconnaissance Program and carried out by the 

NRO under its mission to conduct research, development, acquisition, launch, and operation of 

overhead reconnaissance systems and other activities as directed, to include NRO 

communications infrastructure. National reconnaissance activities include, but may not be limited 

to: 

a. Conceiving and planning, or successfully developing a sensor, an aerial or satellite system, 

a communication system, or an orbital application that greatly improved overhead 

intelligence collection.

b. Organizing, leading, or successfully managing the teams that designed, fabricated, 

launched, or operated a new and complex reconnaissance system that greatly improved 

national reconnaissance intelligence collection.

c. Conceiving and planning, or successfully developing a new technique, procedure, or 

method that greatly improved the evaluation, interpretation, cryptanalysis, information 

processing, or dissemination of information collected by national reconnaissance 

systems. 

August 2022
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d. Conceiving and planning, or successfully developing a new acquisition technique, 

contracting procedure, or security measures that greatly benefited the government in the 

procurement and operation of national reconnaissance systems

2. Innovative and Pivotal. The pioneering contribution must have been an innovative and pivotal 

contribution to the discipline and practice of national reconnaissance. The contribution must 

have been innovative enough to have changed the direction and scope of conceiving, developing, 

managing, or operating national reconnaissance activities. It must have made a pivotal change 

in activities such as: (a) national intelligence collection and analysis; (b) aerospace and 

reconnaissance technology; (c) reconnaissance-based information operations; or (d) other 

activities related to the practice and discipline. 

3. Unique. The pioneering contribution must have been unique in that it was a “first and only” 

technological breakthrough, idea, concept, or way of doing business. 

4. Time tested. The contribution must have demonstrated its value by being “time-tested” for its 

historical impact. It must have had, or demonstrated evidence that it is highly likely to have, a 

lasting historic impact. It is often difficult to recognize the long-term impact and historical 

significance of more recent contributions. Because of this, the Pioneer Selection Board will focus 

on contributions made more than ten years ago and typically defer the consideration of any 

candidate whose contributions and achievements were made for activities that occurred within 

the past five years.

Disqualifying Factors. Pioneer recognition is for a specific innovative pioneering contribution that has 

made a major impact on the heritage of national reconnaissance, influencing the present and likely to 

continue to influence future national reconnaissance activities, and its historical significance has been 

tested by time. Those factors that place the contribution outside that context are disqualifiers. 

1. Awarding government personnel general performance—The use of pioneer recognition as a lifetime achievement award or human resources awards, such as for sustained superior 

performance, would disqualify the nomination. The NRO Awards Program and human resourcesrelated awards are for that purpose.

2. Contract performance –The use of pioneer recognition in connection with a contract award fee 

process or other such contract performance awards would disqualify the nomination. Individuals 

who are employed by Government contractors are ineligible when their contributions are related 

directly to their current contract work.

14675 Lee Rd.

Chantilly, VA 20151

csnr@nro.mil 703-488-4733