Mr. Hollis began his civil servant career in 1951 as an optical engineer at Frankford Arsenal.  Over 17 years he held progressively more responsible positions.  In 1968, Mr. Hollis, then Chief, Combat Vehicle and General Instruments Fire Control Laboratory, became the Scientific Advisor to the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Combat Developments Experimentation Command at Fort Ord, California.  Mr. Hollis was instrumental in developing the very basic concepts of force-on-force, real casualty assessment in the early 1970's, which marked the breakthrough of how the U.S. Army conducts all modern operational testing today.  His discoveries eventually led to the development of future laser systems used in operational testing.

In 1973,  Mr. Hollis became the Scientific Advisor to the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Operational Test and Evaluation Agency in Falls Church, Virginia.  Under his direction as technical director, OTEA became the first organization that established modern operational testing and was mandated by Congress.  Mr. Hollis' vision developed many of the policies and practices with which we contend today.

Mr. Walter W. Hollis became the third Deputy Under Secretary of the Army for Operations Research in December 1980.  As the Deputy Under Secretary of the Army for Operations Research, Mr. Hollis is responsible for establishing policy guidance and monitoring Army operations research activities. He initiates, conducts, and reviews justification of Army requirements and programs.  He initiates studies of interest to the Secretariat and serves as the primary point of contact and liaison for similar activities in the office, Secretary of Defense, and other military departments.  Upon reflection of Mr. Hollis' remarkable government career, he has clearly demonstrated that he is the grandfather of today's modem operational testing.

In addition, Mr. Hollis has received numerous distinguished accolades throughout his government career, including two Presidential Meritorious Executive Awards, Presidential Distinguished Executive Award, Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service, four Department of the Army Exceptional Civilian Service Awards; American British, Canadian, and Australian Armies Certification of Recognition; National Defense Industrial Association Gold Medal, and a Fifty Years in Government Service Award.