R 021345Z OCT 24
MARADMIN 455/24
MSGID/MARADMIN/CMC DCI WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/FISCAL YEAR 2024 COPERNICUS AWARD NOMINATION//
REF/A/NAVADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N2N6/16SEPT2024//
POC 1/D. M. ROMO/MGYSGT/ DCI, IC4/EMAIL: DENNIS.ROMO@USMC.MIL/
TEL: 571-256-8893//
POC 2/E.M. MARTINEZ/MSGT/DC I, IC4/ EMAIL: ERICK.MARTINEZ@USMC.MIL/
703-693-3464//
POC 3/LUND/CIV/AFCEA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION/EMAIL: 
EDFOUNDATION(AT)AFCEA.ORG/TEL: 703- 631-6147//
GENTEX/REMARKS/1. The Copernicus award recognizes individual 
contributions to naval warfare in Command, Control, Communications, 
Computers, and Intelligence (C4I), Information Systems, Cyber 
Operations, and Information Warfare. The award is sponsored by 
AFCEA international and the United States Naval Institute (USNI).
2. Award criteria and eligibility. Fiscal Year 2024 nominees must 
have made a specific, demonstrable contribution to the advancement 
of C4I, Information Systems, or Cyber Operations. Contributions can 
be technical in nature, but may also originate from doctrinal, 
financial, organizational, or other dimensions of Information 
Systems. The contribution should involve exceptional initiative, 
leadership, and insight within the nominee area of expertise. All 
U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, and civil service 
personnel are eligible for nomination. Up to 30 awardees will be 
selected. Each nominating command is limited to two nominees. No 
contractor or team (more than one person) nominations will be 
accepted. Nominations must be unclassified.
3. Nominations and presentation. The awardees will be selected from 
nominations received from U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. 
Coast Guard (including Joint/North Atlantic Treaty Organization) 
commands, afloat and ashore. Nominations must be on letterhead, be 
submitted by email in pdf format and must not contain any personally
identifiable information. Nominations for Commanding Officers or 
Officers-In-Charge must be signed by their immediate superior in 
command. Flag endorsements and letters of recommendation are neither
required nor desired. The nomination template and additional 
nomination package information, as well as the most up-to-date point
of contact information can be found at 
https:(slash)(slash)www.afcea.org/copernicus-award as well as award 
information. Nominations must be submitted via email no later than 
1 November 2024 to: edfoundation(at)afcea.org. Late nominations will
not be considered.
4. AFCEA International and USNI will make the final selections. The 
Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare will 
announce the awardees via naval message. The annual Copernicus 
awards ceremony will be held at the AFCEA International/USNI West
2025 Conference in San Diego, California at the San Diego convention
center.
5. Release authorized by LtGen M. G. Carter, Headquarters Marine 
Corps, Deputy Commandant for Information.//