CY2026 Sergeant James "Horse Collar" Smith SOCS of the Year Award Selection Board

R 261507Z OCT 26

MARADMIN 524/26

MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC PPO PO WASHINGTON DC//

SUBJ/ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE CALENDAR YEAR (CY) 2026 SERGEANT

JAMES “HORSE COLLAR” SMITH MARINE SPECIAL OPERATIONS

CAPABILITIES SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR SELECTION BOARD//

REF/A/DOC/MCO 1650.60/YMD: 20180930//

AMPN/REF A IS MCO 1650.60 MARINE CORPS GROUND AWARDS

PROGRAM.//

POC/E.A. BENSON/CIV/UNIT: PPO POF/-/TEL: (703)-692-4303/

EMAIL: EUGENE.A.BENSON@USMC.MIL//

POC/N.D. WHITEFIELD/COL/UNIT PPO POF/-/TEL: (703)

614-4183/

EMAIL: NICKOLAS.WHITEFIELD@USMC.MIL

POC/R.D. CRYMES/LTCOL/UNIT: PPO POF (SOF)/-/TEL:

703-692-4320/

EMAIL: RYAN.D.CRYMES.MIL@USMC.MIL//

POC/M.D. MAROTTA/MGYSGT/UNIT: PPO POF (SOF)/-/TEL:

703-697-2959/

EMAIL: MATTHEW.MAROTTA.MIL@USMC.MIL//

GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Situation. This MARADMIN announces the

2026 Sergeant James “Horse Collar” Smith Award for the

Special Operations Capabilities Specialist (SOCS) of the

Year selection board and solicits nominations per Ref A.

The “Horse Collar” Smith Award is an award presented

annually in memory of Sergeant James “Horse Collar” Smith,

USMC, two-time Silver Star recipient for his actions as a

Marine Raider during World War II in the Pacific in 1942,

to recognize the Enlisted Marine SNCO/NCO who best

exemplifies outstanding leadership as a SOCS in the

special operations community. The Commander, United States

Marine Forces, Special Operations Command (COMMARFORSOC)

will convene a board to recommend a nominee to the

Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC).

2. Mission.

2.a. IAW Ref A, Commanders will use the following criteria

to submit nominations:

2.a.1. Nominees must be an Enlisted Marine serving on

active duty as a SOCS during the period of eligibility.

2.a.2. Previous recipients are ineligible to be

re-nominated. Marines previously nominated but not

selected are eligible for subsequent nominations if they

meet all award criteria.

2.a.3. Nominations may be submitted posthumously, provided

the Marine nominated would meet all eligibility and award

criteria.

2.a.4. Nominees should be recognized by seniors,

contemporaries, and subordinates as a Marine who has made

a significant contribution to the command during the past

year and epitomized the quintessential SOCS.

2.a.5. Nominees must clearly and dramatically demonstrate

the ideals of courage, resourcefulness, perseverance, and

concern for the well-being of the Special Operations

community, our Corps, and their fellow Marines.

2.a.6. Nominees must exhibit qualities that have made an

outstanding contribution to the development of Esprit de

Corps, tactical and technical competence, and loyalty

within the Special Operations Forces community.

2.a.7. Nominees, through personal example, must set the

standards that all other SOCS seek to emulate.

2.a.8. Actions included in each nomination must have

occurred within the period of eligibility

(January-December 2026).

3. Execution. COMMARFORSOC will accept nominations from

across the Service and Joint Force (where the Marine

Special Operations Capabilities Specialist may be serving)

and convene a board to select nominees using the

eligibility and award criteria stated above and specified

in the reference. COMMARFORSOC will submit the names of

all nominees considered by the board, including the

recommended award recipient to DC, PP&O (POF) no later

than 19 February 2027. Nominations will consist of the

following:

3.a. Biographical information of the nominee.

3.b. Summary of performance supporting the nominee's

qualifications for the award.

4. Administration and logistics.

4.a. DC, PP&O (POF) will process the nomination packages.

The packages submitted will include the nominee's unit

address, point of contact, and phone number (Comm and

DSN). The packages shall be sent electronically via

unclassified email to the POC’s indicated in this message.

4.a.1. Nomination packages submitted via email must be

sent to all message POCS listed above.

4.a.1.a. Submit package as a .pdf file. Ensure the entire

package is legible after scanning.

4.b. This MARADMIN does not apply to the Marine Corps

Reserve.

5. Command and signal.

5.a. Ensure widest dissemination of the contents of this

MSG.

5.b. Direct all questions regarding this MARADMIN to POC’s

listed above.

6. Release authorized by BGen Michael R. Nakonieczny,

Director, Operations Division, Plans, Policies, and

Operations, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.//