R 182108Z DEC 24
MARADMIN 614/24
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/2025 UNITED SERVICES ORGANIZATION (USO) SERVICE MEMBER OF THE
YEAR (SMOY) AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT//
POC/USO Service Member of the Year Committee/CIV/USO/TEL:
703-894-7018/EMAIL: SMOY@USO.ORG//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  This MARADMIN announces and solicits nominations
for the 2025 United Services Organization (USO) Service Member of 
the Year (SMOY) Award.
2.  Each year, the USO, Inc. Service Member of the Year Award honors 
the outstanding contributions of America’s service members who 
represent the standards and values of their respective branches of 
service, as demonstrated through a specific act(s) of heroism or 
valor from 1 January 2024 – 31 December 2024.
2.a.  The award recognizes a Marine within the ranks of private to 
gunnery sergeant and second lieutenant to captain who:
2.a.1.  Demonstrates bravery and leadership in the course of his or 
her service.
2.a.2.  Offers outstanding support and comfort to those with whom 
they serve.
2.a.3.  Enhances morale and personal welfare of others.
2.a.4.  Through their mentorship, inspires other individuals or 
groups.
3.  Nomination packages.  Nomination packages must contain these 
elements:
3.a.  Commanding officer (CO) endorsement.  Each nominee's CO must 
endorse the nomination and express a commitment to facilitate the 
nominee's attendance at the award ceremony if selected.
3.b.  2025 SMOY Nomination Form – Command.
3.c.  2025 SMOY Nominee Information Form.
3.d.  Detailed description of the honoree’s act(s) of heroism. 
Attach copies of any official letters of commendation if available.
3.e.  Narrative Description.  Must be in a personal letter format, 
contain no more than 500 words, meet the criteria specified in 
paragraph 2.a, and highlight any recent deployments or achievements
and how those contributions benefited the military or civilian 
community.
4.  Deadline.  Nominations must be received by the USO no later than
17 January 2025 via email to the USO at SMOY@uso.org.
4.a.  For questions concerning the award or to request the 2025 SMOY 
Nomination Form and Nominee Information Form, please send an email 
to SMOY@uso.org. 
4.b.  Please ensure that a current email address for the honoree 
and/or the honoree’s command is included.
4.c.  The USO will work with the honoree’s command for notification, 
official photo of honoree, and coordination of a special Service 
Member of the Year awards ceremony at their duty station. USO will 
aid in coordination of the awards ceremony at the command and will 
request support for media requests.
4.d.  The selected honorees will be the 2025 USO SMOYs, and they 
will be recognized as such at the 2025 USO Gala in Washington, DC, 
on 29 May, 2025. After the gala, the USO will coordinate for award
presentation at the honoree’s duty station. The USO plans to 
announce the honorees from all branches simultaneously and so will
retain release authority for public announcement.
5.  Release authorized by SES April L. Langwell, Director of 
Communication, Communication Directorate, Headquarters Marine 
Corps.//