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History of the Harry Greer award
The Military Testing Association is an outgrowth of an informal meeting of representatives
of the various armed forces testing agencies in 1958. The meeting was held at the suggestion
(and through the personal coordination) of Capt. Harry H. Greer, USN, Commanding Officer of the Naval
Examining Center. Thus, Capt. Greer was the “founder” of the Military Testing Association.
In 1962, an award in his name was created to recognize “significant lasting contributions to the
Association while exemplifying the ideals of the Association and its founder” (conference proceedings
from the 21st Annual Conference, held by NPRDC in San Diego in 1979).
History of NEC
The Naval Examining Center (NEC) was established on May 26, 1949, in Norfolk, Virginia.
The center marked a revolutionary departure from the Navy’s traditional advancement testing method,
which required local commands to prepare, administer, and score examinations for personnel assigned
to their respective units. However, this system lacked standardization, and the Bureau of Naval
Personnel established the Naval Examining Center as the primary facility for the development of
service-wide examinations within the Navy.
After 2 years in Norfolk, the Center was moved to Great Lakes, Illinois, to provide a
more centralized location for the distribution of exams. Additionally, many schools were located
at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, which allowed the Examining Center to liaise with its
customer commands.
To accomplish its mission, the Examining Center housed both military and civilian personnel.
The Bureau of Naval Personnel selected as subject matter experts Chief Petty Officers who met rigorous
academic and professional standards, and who possessed technical and operational specializations.
Likewise, civilians were required to possess education at a masters’ degree or higher in a variety
of psychological and educational fields.
Criteria for the Harry Greer Award
The Harry H. Greer Award signifies long-standing exceptional work contributing to the
purpose and aims of the International Military Testing Association.
Award nominations shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary by July 1st from members of the Steering
Committee. Before the annual conference, the Chair of the Steering Committee will canvas other members of
the Steering Committee to review the award nominations and to reach a consensus on the selection of a
recipient of the award.
No more than one person may receive the Award each year, but the Steering Committee may decide
not to select a recipient in any given year.
The Award will be presented during the annual conference. The Award will be a certificate,
with the text prepared by the officers of the Association.
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