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.//