R 192059Z NOV 24
MARADMIN 560/24
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC PPO PO WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE CALENDAR YEAR (CY) 2024 
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: EUGENE.A.BENSON@USMC.MIL//
POC/M.T.BRIDE/LTCOL/UNIT: PPO POF/-/TEL: (703)-692-4289/
EMAIL: MATT.BRIDE@USMC.MIL//
POC/M.D. MAROTTA/MGYSGT/UNIT: PPO POF (SOF)/-/
TEL: 703-697-2959/EMAIL: MATTHEW.MAROTTA.MIL@USMC.MIL//
POC/R.D. CRYMES/LTCOL/UNIT: PPO POF (SOF)/-/
TEL: 703-692-4320/ EMAIL: RYAN.D.CRYMES.MIL@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Situation:  This MARADMIN announces 
the 2024 Sergeant James “Horse Collar” Smith Award for 
the Special Operations Capabilities Specialist (SOCS) of 
the Year selection board and solicits nominations from 
within the United States Marine Forces, Special 
Operations Command 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 within para (3) of Ref A.
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 2024).
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 Ref A.  COMMARFORSOC will submit the names of all 
nominees chosen by the board, including the recommended 
award recipient to DC, PP&O (POF) no later than 
28 February 2025.  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, phone number 
(comm. and DSN) and unclassified email address.  The 
packages shall be sent electronically via unclassified 
email to the POC’s indicated in this message.  
4.a.1. Mailing address for nomination packages is: 
Commandant of the Marine Corps, HQMC PP&O (POF) 
(Room 4A480), (Attn: Mr. Gene Benson), 3000 Marine Corps 
Pentagon, Washington, DC 20350-3000.
4.a.2.  Nomination packages submitted via email must be 
sent to all message POCS listed above. 
4.a.2.a.  Submit package as a .pdf file. Ensure entire 
package is legible after scanning.  
4.b.  This MARADMIN is not applicable 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 MajGen Jason L. Morris, 
Director, Operations Division, Plans, Policies, and 
Operations, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.//