CD&I is accepting nominations for its 2026 Combat Development and Integration Excellence Awards (CDIEA). The awards recognize standout performers in innovation, capability development, and analysis from the 2025 calendar year. Reserve Marines and Sailors are explicitly eligible, so if you have someone in your unit who fits, get a package together.
Heads up: Nominations are due by 15 May 2026 and must go through the first O-6 in your chain of command.
Who it affects
Any SMCR, IMA, or Active component Marine (E1-E7 and O1-O3 for the Innovator award; any grade for the others), plus Sailors and civilians. All three awards are open to the Reserve component.
The three awards are:
- Innovator of the Year (E1-E7, O1-O3): Marines who challenged the status quo, introduced new ideas or tactics, and gained a battlefield edge.
- Capability Developer of the Year (Marine or civilian, any grade): Someone who improved a unit's or individual's ability to accomplish the mission through training, experimentation, or new technology.
- Superior Analyst of the Year (Marines, Sailors, or civilians): Someone who used data-driven methods like operations research, wargaming, or modeling to sharpen decision-making or warfighting capabilities.
Inclusive dates for all awards: 1 January 2025 through 31 December 2025.
What you need to do
If you have a Marine, Sailor, or civilian who fits one of these categories, build a nomination package and route it through your first O-6. The O-6 submits to the POC below.
Packages are submitted by email to eduardo.caycho@usmc.mil. Send one Word file and one PDF per nominee. Use this subject line format:
Calendar Year 2026 CDIEA ICO Rank/Name
Each package must include:
- A nomination letter signed by the first O-6 (minimum) in the chain of command.
- Unit POC name, phone number, and email.
- Phone number and email for the nominee.
- A performance summary (max two pages, 12-pitch Courier New) covering qualifications, billet description, and key contributions.
- A biography of the nominee.
- A proposed citation (max 10 typewritten lines, 12-pitch Courier New).
CD&I will fund travel for the winner to attend the awards ceremony. Anyone else who wants to attend pays their own way.
Key dates
- 1 Jan 2025 to 31 Dec 2025: Inclusive performance period for all awards.
- 15 May 2026: Nomination package deadline.
- On or around 20 Aug 2026: Awards ceremony at the Marine Corps Association Combat Development Dinner.
The official version
This article is based on MARADMIN 101/26. Questions go to MSgt E.B. Caycho, CD&I G-1, at eduardo.caycho@usmc.mil or (703) 432-8030.
This is written by a reservist, for reservists. It is not an official publication of HQMC or MARFORRES. Always verify guidance with your command or unit S-1 before acting on any article or summary.