Overview
The MILAM 3D Printing Awards honor the individuals, or groups, that have exemplified outstanding achievement in 3D printing in support of DoW mission priorities. These four awards examine not only how AM technologies are important in solving supply chain issues, but are becoming vital to enhancing capabilities that will improve Warfighter flexibility and readiness at the tactical edge. Advanced manufacturing processes take dedication; the nominated individuals, or groups, will be recognized for all their hard work in bringing these innovations to fruition.
**All nominations will be collected & reviewed by the DSI advisory board**
Award Submissions are NOW CLOSED!
Education and Workforce Development Award
Presented in Partnership with America MakesThe Education and Workforce Development Award recognizes exemplary training and educational advocacy work. This annual award will be presented to an individual or group who has made recognized contributions that impact education and workforce development in Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing, impacting the DoW and the industrial base.
MIL AM, America Makes, and the Defense Strategies Institute would like to recognize an individual or group who demonstrates the following:
Leadership, service, and contribution in accelerating and building the talent stream across the industry to support the DoW and the industrial defense base.
- Leadership: contributions to thought leadership and driving with a collaborative mission of America Makes and the DoW specific to education and workforce development.
- Service: engagement with critical stakeholders across the industry and DoW to build and scale education and workforce development programs.
- Contribution: being a collaborative, selfless resource and expert in contributing to bodies of knowledge, curricula, and assets that contribute to the goal of a strong talent stream in AM.
Technical Achievement Award for 3D Printing Innovation
The Education and Workforce Development Award recognizes exemplary training and educational advocacy work. This annual award will be presented to an individual or group who has made recognized contributions that impact education and workforce development in Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing, impacting the DoW and the industrial base.
MIL AM, America Makes, and the Defense Strategies Institute would like to recognize an individual or group who demonstrates the following:
Leadership, service, and contribution in accelerating and building the talent stream across the industry to support the DoW and the industrial defense base.
- Leadership: contributions to thought leadership and driving with a collaborative mission of America Makes and the DoW specific to education and workforce development.
- Service: engagement with critical stakeholders across the industry and DoW to build and scale education and workforce development programs.
- Contribution: being a collaborative, selfless resource and expert in contributing to bodies of knowledge, curricula, and assets that contribute to the goal of a strong talent stream in AM.
Award for Expeditionary & Tactical 3D Printing Excellence
The Education and Workforce Development Award recognizes exemplary training and educational advocacy work. This annual award will be presented to an individual or group who has made recognized contributions that impact education and workforce development in Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing, impacting the DoW and the industrial base.
MIL AM, America Makes, and the Defense Strategies Institute would like to recognize an individual or group who demonstrates the following:
Leadership, service, and contribution in accelerating and building the talent stream across the industry to support the DoW and the industrial defense base.
- Leadership: contributions to thought leadership and driving with a collaborative mission of America Makes and the DoW specific to education and workforce development.
- Service: engagement with critical stakeholders across the industry and DoW to build and scale education and workforce development programs.
- Contribution: being a collaborative, selfless resource and expert in contributing to bodies of knowledge, curricula, and assets that contribute to the goal of a strong talent stream in AM.
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Education and Workforce Development Award recognizes exemplary training and educational advocacy work. This annual award will be presented to an individual or group who has made recognized contributions that impact education and workforce development in Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing, impacting the DoW and the industrial base.
MIL AM, America Makes, and the Defense Strategies Institute would like to recognize an individual or group who demonstrates the following:
Leadership, service, and contribution in accelerating and building the talent stream across the industry to support the DoW and the industrial defense base.
- Leadership: contributions to thought leadership and driving with a collaborative mission of America Makes and the DoW specific to education and workforce development.
- Service: engagement with critical stakeholders across the industry and DoW to build and scale education and workforce development programs.
- Contribution: being a collaborative, selfless resource and expert in contributing to bodies of knowledge, curricula, and assets that contribute to the goal of a strong talent stream in AM.
2026 Winners
Education & Workforce Development Award
II MEF Innovation Campus
Technical Achievement Award for 3D Printing Innovation
LIFT
Award for Expeditionary & Tactical 3D Printing Excellence
278th Armored Cavalry Regiment / TN Army National Guard & Field Maintenance Shop 2
Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. John Tomblin
2025 Winners
Education & Workforce Development Award
Larry "LJ" Holmes
Technical Achievement Award for 3D Printing Innovation
Lincoln Electric and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center
Award for Expeditionary & Tactical 3D Printing Excellence
Snowbird Technologies
Lifetime Achievement Award
Neal Orringer
2024 Winners
Education & Workforce Development Award
CAPT Brad Baker
Technical Achievement Award for 3D Printing Innovation
MELD Manufacturing & Jointless Hull Project
Award for Expeditionary & Tactical 3D Printing Excellence
Craitor
Lifetime Achievement Award
Col (Ret) Dan Anders-Brown
2023 Winners
Technical Achievement Award for 3D Printing Innovation
Big Metal Additive President & Founder: Dr. Slade Gardner
Award for Expeditionary & Tactical 3D Printing Excellence
Program Manager – Additive Construction, Army Corps of Engineers Construction Engineering Research Laboratory
Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Mark Benedict Additive Manufacturing Director, Air Force Research Laboratory
2022 Winners
Technical Achievement Award for 3D Printing Innovation
IC3D
Award for Expeditionary & Tactical 3D Printing Excellence
SPEE3D
Lifetime Achievement Award
James Zunino III, SSTM US Army DEVCOM