R 192059Z NOV 24 MARADMIN 560/24 MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC PPO PO WASHINGTON DC// SUBJ/ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE CALENDAR YEAR (CY) 2024  SERGEANT JAMES “HORSE COLLAR” SMITH MARINE SPECIAL  OPERATIONS CAPABILITIES SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR SELECTION  BOARD// REF/A/DOC/MCO 1650.60/YMD: 20180930// AMPN/REF A IS MCO 1650.60 MARINE CORPS GROUND AWARDS  PROGRAM.// POC/E.A. BENSON/CIV/UNIT: PPO POF/-/TEL: (703)-692-4303/  EMAIL: [email protected]// POC/M.T.BRIDE/LTCOL/UNIT: PPO POF/-/TEL: (703)-692-4289/ EMAIL: [email protected]// POC/M.D. MAROTTA/MGYSGT/UNIT: PPO POF (SOF)/-/ TEL: 703-697-2959/EMAIL: [email protected]// POC/R.D. CRYMES/LTCOL/UNIT: PPO POF (SOF)/-/ TEL: 703-692-4320/ EMAIL: [email protected]// GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Situation:  This MARADMIN announces  the 2024 Sergeant James “Horse Collar” Smith Award for  the Special Operations Capabilities Specialist (SOCS) of  the Year selection board and solicits nominations from  within the United States Marine Forces, Special  Operations Command 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 within para (3) of Ref A. 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 2024). 3.  Execution:  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  28 February 2025.  Nominations will consist of the  following: 3.a.  Biographical information of the nominee. 3.b.  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, phone number  (comm. and DSN) and unclassified email address.  The  packages shall be sent electronically via unclassified  email to the POC’s indicated in this message.   4.a.1. Mailing address for nomination packages is:  Commandant of the Marine Corps, HQMC PP&O (POF)  (Room 4A480), (Attn: Mr. Gene Benson), 3000 Marine Corps  Pentagon, Washington, DC 20350-3000. 4.a.2.  Nomination packages submitted via email must be  sent to all message POCS listed above.  4.a.2.a.  Submit package as a .pdf file. Ensure entire  package is legible after scanning.   4.b.  This MARADMIN is not applicable 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.//