ASSOCIATION OF OLD CROWS (AOC) 2017 MARINE CORPS OUTSTANDING UNIT AWARD PROGRAM CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
Date Signed: 2/22/2017 | MARADMINS Number: 092/17
MARADMINS : 092/17
R 221304Z FEB 17
MARADMIN 092/17
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC PPO/PL//
SUBJ/ASSOCIATION OF OLD CROWS (AOC) 2017 MARINE CORPS OUTSTANDING UNIT AWARD PROGRAM CALL FOR NOMINATIONS//
REF/A/AOC LTR TO CMC/NOTAL//
AMPN/REF A IS ASSOCIATION OF OLD CROWS LETTER DTD 27 Jan 2017 TO CMC POC/M.D. SIMON/MAJ/UNIT: CMC PPO PLI/TEL: COML 703-614-0108/EMAIL: MICHAEL.D.SIMON(AT)USMC.MIL//
POC/B.C. BROOKS/LTCOL/UNIT: CMC PPO PLI/TEL: COML 703-692-4326/EMAIL: BRANDON.C.BROOKS(AT)USMC.MIL//
Gentext/remarks/1.  The Association of Old Crows (AOC) conducts an annual awards program to publicly recognize unit and individual achievements and contributions to electronic warfare (EW) and information operations (IO), including cyberspace operations.  The Marine Corps awards will recognize distinct accomplishments in both EW and IO by presenting awards to one air EW unit, one ground EW unit, and one unit that has successfully integrated IO/cyberspace operations into their overall scheme of maneuver IAW eligibility criteria listed in 3.a.  The 2017 awards period covers calendar year 2016 (1 Jan 2016 – 31 Dec 2016) events and will be presented at the annual AOC international EW symposium and convention.
2.  Request nominations for outstanding Marine Corps units be received by HQMC NLT 12 May 2017 for CMC selection.
3.  Unit award nomination - submission requirements.
3.a.  Eligibility
3.a.1.  Air EW award: any Marine Corps aviation unit that conducts electronic warfare is eligible to nominate themselves or another unit for this award.
3.a.2.  Ground EW award:  any Marine Corps ground unit that conducts electronic warfare is eligible to nominate themselves or another unit for this award.
3.a.3.  IO/cyberspace award:  any Marine Corps unit that has successfully integrated information operations and/or cyberspace operations, into their overall scheme of maneuver and demonstrated an outstanding ability to achieve desired effects in the information environment is eligible to nominate themselves or another unit for this award.
3.b.  Format
3.b.1.  Standard naval format, unit nomination letter originated by unit commander or designated representative with chain of command endorsements
3.b.2.  Name of unit and summary of action (classified summary accepted)
3.b.3.  Proposed citation (must be unclassified)
3.b.4.  Biographical data on individual to accept unit award
3.b.5.  Unit chain of command for protocol notification
3.b.6.  Publications to be notified (e.g. local newspapers, professional journals/periodicals)
3.b.7.  Print quality insignia of unit
3.b.8.  Unit POC for final coordination with AOC
3.c.  Forwarding:  send unit nomination packages via first general officer in chain of command to the following HQMC address:
Commandant of the Marine Corps
Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps (PPO/PLI)
3000 Marine Corps Pentagon (4B337)
Washington, D.C.  20350-3000
Attn: LtCol B. C. Brooks / Maj M. D. Simon
HQMC requests completed nomination packages also be scanned as a pdf document and emailed to the POC(s) in order to expedite HQMC staffing and review process.
3.d.  Receipt:  completed unit award nominations must be received by HQMC no later than 12 May 2017.  Confirmation of receipt via email will be provided by HQMC.  Nominations that are incomplete, not endorsed by the first general officer in the unit’s chain of command, or received after the deadline will not be considered.
3.e.  Classified packages
3.e.1.  Award nomination packages may be submitted up to top secret SCI level.
3.e.2.  Unit citation must be unclassified and a word document copy must be provided via unclassified email.
3.e.3.  Coordinate with POC(s) for receipt and processing of classified packages.
4.  Board selection process.  HQMC department representatives from PPO, AVN, and Intel will review nominations and make a consolidated recommendation to CMC for approval.  Results will be announced via ALMAR message on/about 1 Jul 2017.
5.  HQMC does not provide funding for AOC award recipients.  IAW JFTR, unit funding may be authorized for travel for the receipt of HQMC endorsed unit awards.
6.  Individual awards.  The AOC also recognizes individual contributions by awarding approximately 40 awards in various categories to personnel excelling in the related fields of EW/IO.  Marine AOC members are encouraged to submit nominations for individual awards by contacting a local AOC chapter to obtain the AOC competitive awards program manual for submission criteria.  Individual awards do not require CMC screening or endorsement.
7.  Integrated product team award.  The AOC also recognizes one integrated product team (IPT) for outstanding contributions to the fields of EW/IO.  Marine AOC members are encouraged to submit nominations for IPT awards by contacting a local AOC chapter to obtain the AOC competitive awards program manual for submission criteria.  As with individual awards, IPT awards do not require CMC screening or endorsement.
8.  Release authorized by BGen Chistopher J. Mahoney, Director, Strategy and Plans Division, Plans, Policies and Operations, Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps.//