Announcement of the Calendar Year (CY) 2025 Sergeant James "Horse Collar" Smith Marine Special Operations Capabilities Specialist of the Year Selection Board

1. Situation.  
1.a. This MARADMIN announces the 2025 Sergeant James "Horse
Collar" Smith Award for the Special Operations Capabilities
Specialist (SOCS) of the Year selection board and solicits 
nominations 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.
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 2025).
3.  Execution.  
3.a. 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 27 February 2026. 
Nominations will consist of the following:
3.b. Biographical information of the nominee.
3.c. 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, and phone number
(Comm and DSN).  The packages shall be sent electronically
via unclassified email to the POC's indicated in this
message.
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 the entire
package is legible after scanning.
4.b. This MARADMIN does not apply 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.