ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE CALENDAR YEAR (CY) 2026 SERGEANT JAMES “HORSE COLLAR” SMITH MARINE SPECIAL OPERATIONS CAPABILITIES SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR 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: [email protected]//
POC/N.D. WHITEFIELD/COL/UNIT PPO POF/-/TEL: (703)
614-4183/
EMAIL: [email protected]
POC/R.D. CRYMES/LTCOL/UNIT: PPO POF (SOF)/-/TEL:
703-692-4320/
EMAIL: [email protected]//
POC/M.D. MAROTTA/MGYSGT/UNIT: PPO POF (SOF)/-/TEL:
703-697-2959/
EMAIL: [email protected]//
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.//