R 121449Z MAR 26
MARADMIN 099/26
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC CD&I//  
SUBJ/SOLICITATION FOR THE 2026 EXPEDITIONARY WARFARE EXCELLENCE 
AWARDS (EWEA)//
REF/A/MSGID: DOC/DECISION PAPER/YMD: 20200610// 
AMPN/REF A IS THE DECISION PAPER FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EWEA// 
POC/N.F. ADAMS/CTR/HQMC CD&I/DSN 278-8575/
COM (703) 784-6445/NOLAN.ADAMS.CTR@USMC.MIL//  
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Purpose.  The Deputy Commandant for Combat 
Development and Integration (DC, CD&I), and the Deputy Chief of 
Naval Operations for Warfighting Requirements and Capabilities 
(DCNO, N9) are pleased to solicit nominations for the annual 
Expeditionary Warfare Excellence Awards (EWEA).  The EWEA recognizes
those Marines and Sailors who have distinguished themselves through 
exceptional performance while serving in an expeditionary warfare 
assignment and have significantly influenced the future of naval 
expeditionary warfare and amphibious capabilities, doctrine and 
training through innovative concepts, leadership, and teamwork.  
The EWEA ceremony will take place at the 2026 Marine Corps 
Association Combat Development Dinner on or around 20 August 2026.   
1.a.  Inclusive dates for the awards are 1 January 2025 to 
31 December 2025. 
1.b.  The EWEA features four awards: Marine Corps Expeditionary 
Warfare Officer of the Year (CWO3 – CWO4, O3-O4), Marine Corps 
Expeditionary Warfare Staff Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year 
(E6-E8), Navy Expeditionary Warfare Officer of the Year 
(CWO3-CWO4, O3-O4), and Navy Expeditionary Warfare Enlisted Sailor 
of the Year (E6-E8).  This awards program is applicable to the 
Active and Reserve components of the United States Marine Corps and 
the United States Navy.
1.c.  An awards board convened by CD&I and OPNAV N9 will recommend 
eminently qualified packages for DC, CD&I approval.  The award 
winners will be announced via MARADMIN.    
2. Action 
2.a.  Commands with personnel meeting the criteria are highly 
encouraged to submit nominations via the first O-6 in the chain of 
command to the POC listed in this message.  
2.b.  Nomination packages must be received no later than 
15 May 2026.     
2.c.  Nomination packages shall be sent electronically via email and
will include one file in Microsoft Word format and one file in 
Portable Document Format (PDF) per nominee.  The subject line should
read: “Calendar Year 2025 EWEA ICO Rank/Name”, nomination packages 
will include the following:
2.c.1.  A nomination letter from the first O-6, at a minimum, in 
the chain of command. 
2.c.2.  Unit point of contact to include phone number and email 
address. 
2.c.3.  Phone number and email address for each nominee.   
2.c.4.  A summary of performance that provides a concise resume of 
qualifications, including the billet description and significant 
contributions, not to exceed two pages using 12-pitch courier new 
font.   
2.c.5.  A biography of the nominee.  
2.c.6.  A proposed citation not to exceed 10 typewritten lines 
using 12-pitch courier new font.   
3.  CD&I will fund travel for the individual awardee to attend
the Combat Development Dinner for the presentation of the award.
Every effort shall be made by local commanders to ensure the
presence of the awardee at the ceremony.  Individuals other than
the awardee who desire to attend must do so at their own expense. 
4.  Ensure widest dissemination of the contents of this message.   
5.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General Eric E. Austin, 
Deputy Commandant for Combat Development & Integration.//