The Marine Corps is soliciting nominations for the 2026 GySgt Jeffrey E. Bohr Trophy for Outstanding Leadership. The award honors the memory of Silver Star recipient GySgt Jeffrey E. Bohr, killed in action in Baghdad on 10 April 2003. A board of senior field grade officers and SNCOs will convene in early March 2027 to review packages and forward recommendations to the Commandant. COMMARFORRES may submit up to two nominations.
Heads up: This is a niche award for 0369 SSgts and GySgts. If you have Marines who fit, your chain of command needs to move by 19 February 2027.
Who it affects
This award is narrow. Nominees must meet all of the following:
- MOS 0369, serving as a Staff Sergeant or Gunnery Sergeant in a 0369 billet during CY 2026
- Assigned within an Infantry Battalion or Littoral Combat Team (LCT) in one of these roles: Company Gunnery Sergeant, Company Operations Chief, Platoon Sergeant, Weapons Company Section Leader, or another unit leader position per the Tables of Organization
- MSgts, First Sergeants, and Marines selected to a commissioning program are eligible if their qualifying actions occurred while they held the rank of SSgt or GySgt during the eligibility period
- Posthumous nominations are accepted if the Marine would otherwise qualify
The actions cited in the nomination must have occurred between January and December 2026.
What you need to do
This is primarily an action item for commanders and unit leadership. If you have an 0369 SSgt or GySgt who exemplifies bold leadership, wise judgment, dedication, and genuine concern for their Marines and the Corps, get that nomination started now.
A complete package includes:
- An official photograph of the nominee taken within 12 months of the board convening date (early March 2027)
- Biographical information for the nominee
- A summary of the nominee's performance during CY 2026 that directly supports their qualification for the award
Submit the package as a single PDF to all POCs listed below. The package must include the nominating unit's address, a POC, and a phone number (commercial and DSN). Deployed Marines' packages route through their deployed chain of command.
COMMARFORRES nominations are submitted by COMMARFORRES to DC, PP&O. Unit-level leaders should push candidates up their chain well before the command deadline.
POC emails for submission:
eugene.a.benson@usmc.mil(703) 692-4303nickolas.whitefield@usmc.mil(703) 614-4183robert.viehmeyer@usmc.mil(703) 614-4510andy.darnell@usmc.mil(703) 614-3432kevin.m.brown@usmc.mil(703) 697-0224
Key dates
- Jan–Dec 2026: Eligibility window. Actions must fall within this period.
- 19 February 2027: Hard deadline. Packages must be received by DC, PP&O (not just sent).
- Early March 2027: Selection board convenes.
The official version
This is MARADMIN 525/26. The governing order is MCO 1650.60, Marine Corps Ground Awards Program.
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.