Announcement of the Calendar Year (CY) 2025 LtCol William G. Leftwich Trophy for Outstanding Leadership Selection Board

1. Situation. 
1.a. This MARADMIN announces the convening of the 2025 
Lieutenant Colonel (LtCol) William G. Leftwich Trophy for
Outstanding Leadership selection board and solicits 
nominations from throughout the Marine Corps. The LtCol 
William G. Leftwich Trophy for Outstanding Leadership is 
an award presented annually in memory of Navy Cross 
recipient LtCol William G. Leftwich, U.S. Marine Corps, 
killed in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 18 November 
1970. The Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies, and 
Operations (DC, PP&O) will convene a board of senior 
field grade officers in early March 2026 to review 
nominations and forward recommendations to the Commandant
of the Marine Corps for final selection and announcement 
of the winner. 
2. Mission. 
2.a. IAW Ref A, Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces 
Command (COMMARFORCOM); Commander, U.S. Marine Corps 
Forces Pacific (COMMARFORPAC); and Commander, U.S. Marine 
Corps Forces Reserve (COMMARFORRES) shall nominate 
eligible officers for the 2025 LtCol William G. Leftwich 
Trophy for Outstanding Leadership, and submit nomination 
packages to DC, PP&O NLT 27 February 2026. 
3. Execution.
3.a. Prerequisites. Per the reference, commanders will 
use the following prerequisites to submit nominations:
3.a.1. Actions included in each nomination must have 
occurred within the period of eligibility 
(January-December 2025).
3.a.2. Nominees must be Marine Captains in the Ground 
Combat Arms community serving on active duty as a company 
or battery commander within the Ground Combat Element of 
the Operating Forces during the period of eligibility. 
3.a.3. Majors and Major selectees are eligible for 
nomination, provided the actions of the nominee occurred 
as a Captain during the period of eligibility. Only 
actions performed as a Captain will be included in the 
nomination package and considered by the selection board. 
3.a.4. Nominees must not be previous recipients of the 
LtCol William G. Leftwich Trophy. Officers previously 
nominated but not selected are eligible for subsequent 
nominations if they still meet award criteria.
3.a.5. Nominations may be submitted posthumously, 
provided the officer nominated would meet eligibility 
and award criteria in Para 4 of the Ref. 
3.a.6. Nominees should be recognized by seniors, 
contemporaries, and subordinates as officers who most 
exemplify outstanding combat arms leadership.
3.a.7. Nominees must clearly and distinguishably 
demonstrate the ideals of courage, resourcefulness, 
perseverance, and concern for the well-being of the Corps 
and their fellow Marines. 
3.a.8. Nominees must have exhibited qualities that have 
made an outstanding contribution to the development of 
esprit de corps and loyalty within their units.
3.a.9. Nominees, through personal example, must set the 
standard that all other officers seek to emulate. 
3.b. Requirements.
3.b.1. COMMARFORCOM and COMMARFORPAC shall nominate two 
(2) officers from each MEF and COMMARFORRES may nominate 
two (2) officers that have met award eligibility criteria 
outlined in para 3.a. and in the reference during the 
eligibility period.
3.b.2. Commanders shall submit nominations NLT 27 
February 2026 to DC, PP&O.
3.b.3. Nominations will consist of the following:
3.b.3.a An official photograph of the nominee taken within 
12 months of the convening date of the award board.
3.b.3.b. Biographical information of the nominee.
3.b.3.c. Summary of performance during the eligibility 
period supporting the nominee's qualifications for the 
award. 
4. Administration and logistics.
4.a. DC, PP&O (POF) will process the nomination packages. 
Packages will include the nominating unit's address, 
point of contact, and phone number (Comm and DSN). 
Packages may be submitted via email 
by Commanders identified in Para 3.b.1. Packages must 
be received by DC, PP&O (POF) NLT 27 February 2026 to 
be considered.
4.a.1. Nomination packages submitted via email must be 
sent to all message POCs listed above.
4.a.1.a. Submit package as a .pdf file. Ensure entire 
package is legible after scanning. 
4.b. Nomination packages for deployed Marines should 
be routed through the Marine's deployed chain of 
command (e.g. UDP infantry battalions will be reviewed 
and submitted through 4th MAR, 3d MARDIV, and III MEF).
5. Command and Signal.
5.a. This MARADMIN is applicable to the total force.
5.b. Ensure widest dissemination of the contents of this 
msg.
5.c. Direct all questions regarding this MARADMIN to the 
POCs listed above.
6. Release authorized by MajGen Jason L. Morris, 
Director, Operations Division, Plans, Policies, 
and Operations.