R 092010Z FEB 26
MARADMIN 039/26
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP//
SUBJ/CALL FOR RECIPIENTS-2026 DEPARTMENT OF WAR (DoW) SPIRIT OF HOPE
AWARD//
REF/A/DOC/CMC/YMD:20260106//
NARR/REFERENCE (A) IS HQMC DIR, AR CALL FOR RECIPIENTS MEMO//
POC1/MYLECHIA SMALLS/CIV/MPC/TEL: COM 703-784-9560/
TEL: DSN 278-9560/EMAIL: MYLECHIA.SMALLS@USMC.MIL//
POC2/MICHELLE DELMEDICO/MPC/TEL: COM 703-432-8537/
TEL: DSN 378-8537/EMAIL: MICHELLE.DELMEDICO@USMC.MIL//
GENTEX/REMARKS/1.  Purpose.  To solicit recipients for the 2026
Department of War (DoW), Spirit of Hope Award.
2.  The Spirit of Hope Award is presented annually to recognize
private citizens, organizations, and current or former DoW military
or civilian personnel who (1) epitomize the values of Mr. Bob Hope:
duty, honor, courage, loyalty, commitment, integrity and selfless
dedication; (2) significantly enhance the quality of life of Service
members and their families serving around the world; and (3)
selflessly contribute an extraordinary amount of time, talent or
resources  to benefit service members.
3.  Private citizens or organizations and current or former DoW
military or civilian personnel are eligible for the 2026 DoW
"Spirit of Hope" Recognition.
4.  The Department of the Navy may submit 2 recipients for this
award, 1 Navy and 1 Marine Corps recipient.  Each major USMC command
may submit 1 nomination for this award.  All nomination packages
must contain an endorsement from the commander or senior management
official (O6/GS-15 and above).
5.  The Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (DC M&RA)
may select one nomination package, which will be endorsed by the
Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) and forwarded to the Washington
Headquarters Services Pentagon awards section for consideration.
6.  Nominations for the 2026 DoW Spirit of Hope Award must be 
forwarded to the MPC-40 Awards SMB Box: 
SMB_CIVILIAN_AWARDS@usmc.mil, NLT 31 March 2026. All USMC nomination
packages must be forwarded to MPC-40 for DC M&RA
and CMC endorsement.
7.  Commands wishing to nominate recipients for the Spirit of Hope
Award, must provide the name of a point of contact who will be
responsible for providing logistical support for the ceremony if
nominee is selected as a recipient. Nominating commands must also
be prepared to provide a GO/SES level sponsor to represent the
awardee during the award ceremony, if required. Funding for nominees
to attend the award ceremony is the nominating command's
responsibility.
8.  Please contact the command Awards Program Coordinators at the
servicing Human Resources Offices to request a copy of the
nomination template and additional information regarding processing
and submission procedures.
9.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General William J. Bowers,
Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//