AwardsRoutine update
2026 Department of War SAPR Liz Blanc Award Winners — Marine Corps Recipients
Announcement of the Marine Corps recipients of the 2026 Liz Blanc Exceptional SARC of the Year, Liz Blanc Exceptional SAPR Victim Advocate of the Year, and Promoting Excellence in Prevention awards. The named recipients are Willis May (1st Marine Aircraft Wing), GySgt Bryan Ross (1st Combat Engineer Battalion), and Carlos Burela (1st Marine Division).
This is a routine update, such as a name list, a set of results, or a recurring notice. The plain-English version is the summary above; the official text follows in full so you can find your name, number, or unit. Read it on marines.mil
Official text
R 291552Z SEP 26 MARADMIN 460/26 MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MF// SUBJ/ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 2026 DEPARTMENT OF WAR SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE OFFICE LIZ BLANC AWARD WINNERS// POC/JASON SMITH/GS-12/UNIT: MFC/-/TEL: 703-784-1160// EMAIL: JASON.SMITH@USMC.MIL// GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Purpose. To announce the Marine Corps recipients of the 2026 Liz Blanc Exceptional Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) of the Year, the Liz Blanc Exceptional Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Victim Advocate (VA) of the Year, and the Promoting Excellence in Prevention awards. These individuals demonstrated exceptional service and leadership in prevention and response and embody the highest levels of professionalism, dedication, and innovation through unwavering commitment to sexual assault prevention and victim support. 2. Background. Each year, the Department of War Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office recognizes military members and civilian professionals whose exceptional service strengthened sexual assault prevention efforts, enhanced victim support, and ensured mission readiness. Two of the awards are named in honor of Liz Blanc, a dedicated SAPR program leader whose dedication and vision significantly advanced prevention and response initiatives across the military. Award recipients are chosen for their forward-thinking initiatives, sustained superior performance, and the demonstrated impact of their work within their commands and across the broader military community. 3. Congratulations to Willis May, Supervisory SARC, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, on selection as the Marine Corps 2026 Liz Blanc Exceptional SARC. May demonstrated extraordinary dedication and performance in victim response that significantly exceeded position requirements. While managing a substantial sexual assault caseload and overseeing SAPR program execution across the Pacific theater, he consistently delivered high-quality, victim-centered advocacy to a geographically dispersed force. May’s leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment to victim-centered response reflect the highest standards of excellence in support of the Marine Corps SAPR mission. 4. Congratulations to Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt) Bryan Ross, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, on selection as the Marine Corps 2026 Liz Blanc Exceptional SAPR VA of the Year. GySgt Ross demonstrated exceptional and distinctive contributions to victim response that far exceeded expectations for a collateral-duty SAPR VA. While serving with the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, GySgt Ross managed a demanding caseload while simultaneously fulfilling his primary operational responsibilities with unwavering professionalism and precision. GySgt Ross’s ability to deliver consistent, high-quality, trauma-informed advocacy while in a deployed environment represents an extraordinary achievement in victim support and reflects the highest standards of excellence within the Marine Corps SAPR program. 5. Congratulations to Carlos Burela, Embedded Preventive Behavioral Health Analyst, 1st Marine Division (MARDIV), on selection as the Marine Corps 2026 Promoting Excellence in Prevention Award winner. Burela distinguished himself through exceptional leadership and innovation in support of force preservation and resilience. Through forward-thinking innovations in data collection, analysis, and application, Burela enhanced the effectiveness of prevention initiatives and measurably improved the culture of resilience and force preservation. His work impacted more than 19,000 Marines and Sailors within the 1st MARDIV, while informing broader efforts across I Marine Expeditionary Force and the Marine Corps. 6. The Marine Corps commends all nominees and recipients for their exceptional service and unwavering commitment to the SAPR mission. Each nominee demonstrated exemplary professionalism, innovation, and dedication in advancing victim support and strengthening prevention efforts across the force. Their collective contributions reflect great credit upon themselves, their commands, and the United States Marine Corps. 7. This MARADMIN is cancelled 30 June 2027. 8. Release authorized by Lieutenant General William J. Bowers, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//
awardspolicy