SELECTION ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2023 MARINE CORPS INFORMATION AWARDS
Date Signed: 2/26/2024 | MARADMINS Number: 095/24
MARADMINS : 095/24

R 261750Z FEB 24
MARADMIN 095/24
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC DCI WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/SELECTION ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2023 MARINE CORPS INFORMATION AWARDS//
REF/A/MSGID/MSG/CMC DCI WASHINGTON DC/YMD: 20231013//
NARR/REF A IS MARADMIN 525/23 SOLICITATION FOR THE MARINE CORPS ASSOCIATION INFORMATION AWARDS FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2023//
POC/ADAM L. GUSME/MAJ/DC I STAFF SECRETARY/EMAIL: ADAM.GUSME@USMC.MIL/TEL: 703-693-8697//
POC/MILO SHANK/CIV/DC I SECRETARIAT/EMAIL: MILO.SHANK1@USMC.MIL/TEL:703-692-4701//
POC/JORGE RIOS/MSGT/DC I ADMIN CHIEF/EMAIL: JORGE.RIOS@USMC.MIL/TEL:703-693-8693//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  The Marine Corps Association (MCA) Information Awards are administered by the Deputy Commandant for Information (DC I) and consist of 23 individual awards, three unit/organization awards, and one individual or team award for the information communities comprised of Intelligence, C4, Cyber, Psychological Operations, Space, Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations, Strategic Communication and Operations, and Civil Affairs.  The high quality of the nominees reflects the continued outstanding performance of all the Marines and Civilians throughout the Marine Corps Information Environment Enterprise.  Congratulations to all the nominees and selectees for this year’s MCA Information Awards.
2.  I am pleased to announce the following selectees:
2.a.  The James Hamilton Information Technology Management Civilian Marine of the Year Award:  Mr. Michael W. Russell, Marine Corps Cyberspace Operations Group (MCCOG), Marine Forces Cyberspace Command (MARFORCYBER).
2.b.  The Private First Class Herbert A. Littleton NCO Award for Operational Communications Excellence:  Cpl Justin D. Franklin, Headquarters Battalion 3d Marine Division (3D MARDIV), Marines Forces Pacific (MARFORPAC).
2.b.1.  The Private First Class Herbert A. Littleton SNCO Award for Operational Communications Excellence:  SSgt Warren M. High, 3d Marine Raider Support Battalion, Marine Raider Support Group, Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARFORSOC).
2.b.2.  The Private First Class Herbert A. Littleton NCO Award for Electronics Maintenance:  Cpl Charece A. Michel, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, MARFORPAC.
2.b.3.  The Private First Class Herbert A. Littleton SNCO Award for Electronics Maintenance Excellence:  GySgt Aaron R. Michaud, Headquarters Marine Wing Communications Squadron 18, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1ST MAW), MARFORPAC.
2.c.  The Chief Warrant Officer 5 Brian “Joe” Graniero Restricted Officer Communications Award:  CWO4 Joshua D. Stone, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment (3D MLR), 3D MARDIV, MARFORPAC.
2.d.  The General Alfred M. Gray Award:  Capt David L. Estes, 3D MLR, 3D MAR DIV, MARFORPAC.
2.e.  The Lieutenant Colonel Kevin M. Shea Memorial Unit of the Year Award:  Communications Company, 3D MLR, 3D MARDIV, MARFORPAC.
2.f.  The John J. Guenther Intelligence Civilian of the Year Award: Ms. Rachel C. Burger, Marine Corps Intelligence Activity, Marine Corps Installation Command.
2.g.  The Lance Corporal James E. Swain Intelligence Enlisted Marine of the Year Award:  LCpl Jude D. Dooling, Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1ST MAW, MARFOPAC.
2.h.  The Master Sergeant Charles C.  Arndt Intelligence NCO of the Year:  Sgt Carson D. Carr, Company I, Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion, MAFORCYBER.
2.i.  The Master Gunnery Sergeant Samuel C. Plott Intelligence SNCO of the Year Award:  GySgt Danel N. Beier, Defensive Cyberspace Operations-Internal Defensive Measures Company A, 6th Communications Battalion (6TH COMM BN), Force Headquarters Group (FHG), Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES).
2.j.  The Lieutenant Colonel Michael D. Kuszewski Intelligence Officer of the Year Award:  Capt Ian P. Colledge, 1st Marine Raider Battalion, Marine Raider Regiment, MARFORSOC.
2.k.  The Lieutenant General Vincent R. Stewart Intelligence Unit of the Year Award:  Marine Operations Group - Central, Marine Corps Forces Central Command.
2.l.  The Information Civilian of the Year Award:  Mr. Derrick Ota, G-6/G-39 Division (Div), MARFORPAC. 
2.m.  Cyberspace Warfare Enlisted Marine of the Year:  LCpl Michael J. Blachniak, 9th Communications Battalion, Marine Information Group (MIG), I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF), MARFORPAC.
2.n.  Cyberspace Warfare NCO of the Year:  Cpl Michael H. Karnes, Defensive Cyberspace Operations Divisions, MCCOG, MARFORCYBER.
2.o.  Cyberspace Warfare SNCO of the Year:  GySgt Robert C. Schmitt, Combat Mission Team 2, Marine Corps Cyberspace Warfare Group (MCCYWG), MARFORCYBER.
2.p.  Cyberspace Restricted Officer of the Year:  CWO2 Travis A. Nichols, Defense Cyberspace Opearations-Internal Defense Measures, Company A, 6TH COMM BN, FHG, MARFORRES.
2.q.  Cyberspace Warfare Officer of the Year:  Capt Cyle J. Schultz, 13TH Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), I MEF, MARFORPAC.
2.r.  Maritime Space Officer of the Year: Capt Steven P. Bourdow II, 31ST MEU, III MEF, MARFORPAC.
2.s.  Influence NCO of the Year:  Sgt Sabrina L. Rudolph, MIG, I MEF, MARFORPAC.
2.t.  Influence SNCO of the Year:  SSgt Wayne J. Knight Jr, G-6/G-39 Div, MARFORPAC.
2.u.  Influence Officer of the Year:  Maj Kevin J. Smith, 3D MLR, 3D MARDIV, MARFORPAC.
2.v.  The MCIEE Technical Leadership Award:  Maj Ayesha Ahmad, MIG, III MEF, MARFORPAC.
2.w.  The MCIEE Innovation Award:  5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, MIG, III MEF, MARFORPAC.
2.x.  The Information Unit of the Year Award:  Combat National Mission Team One, MCCYWG, MARFORCYBER.
3.  The Information Awards selectees will be honored at the annual MCA Information Awards Dinner.  Held in close coordination between MCA and DC I, this dinner showcases the top performing Marines, civilians and units from the Information, C4, and Intelligence communities on 11 April 2024.  Dinner and registration information can be found at https:(slash)(slash)www.mca-marines.org/event/2024-mca-information-awards-dinner/.
4.  Again, I extend my sincere congratulations to these professionals and their families who displayed the utmost professionalism and loyalty to our Marine Corps.
5.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General Matthew G. Glavy, Headquarters Marine Corps, Deputy Commandant for Information.//