R 182108Z DEC 24 MARADMIN 614/24 MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC// SUBJ/2025 UNITED SERVICES ORGANIZATION (USO) SERVICE MEMBER OF THE YEAR (SMOY) AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT// POC/USO Service Member of the Year Committee/CIV/USO/TEL: 703-894-7018/EMAIL: [email protected]// GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  This MARADMIN announces and solicits nominations for the 2025 United Services Organization (USO) Service Member of  the Year (SMOY) Award. 2.  Each year, the USO, Inc. Service Member of the Year Award honors  the outstanding contributions of America’s service members who  represent the standards and values of their respective branches of  service, as demonstrated through a specific act(s) of heroism or  valor from 1 January 2024 – 31 December 2024. 2.a.  The award recognizes a Marine within the ranks of private to  gunnery sergeant and second lieutenant to captain who: 2.a.1.  Demonstrates bravery and leadership in the course of his or  her service. 2.a.2.  Offers outstanding support and comfort to those with whom  they serve. 2.a.3.  Enhances morale and personal welfare of others. 2.a.4.  Through their mentorship, inspires other individuals or  groups. 3.  Nomination packages.  Nomination packages must contain these  elements: 3.a.  Commanding officer (CO) endorsement.  Each nominee's CO must  endorse the nomination and express a commitment to facilitate the  nominee's attendance at the award ceremony if selected. 3.b.  2025 SMOY Nomination Form – Command. 3.c.  2025 SMOY Nominee Information Form. 3.d.  Detailed description of the honoree’s act(s) of heroism.  Attach copies of any official letters of commendation if available. 3.e.  Narrative Description.  Must be in a personal letter format,  contain no more than 500 words, meet the criteria specified in  paragraph 2.a, and highlight any recent deployments or achievements and how those contributions benefited the military or civilian  community. 4.  Deadline.  Nominations must be received by the USO no later than 17 January 2025 via email to the USO at [email protected]. 4.a.  For questions concerning the award or to request the 2025 SMOY  Nomination Form and Nominee Information Form, please send an email  to [email protected].  4.b.  Please ensure that a current email address for the honoree  and/or the honoree’s command is included. 4.c.  The USO will work with the honoree’s command for notification,  official photo of honoree, and coordination of a special Service  Member of the Year awards ceremony at their duty station. USO will  aid in coordination of the awards ceremony at the command and will  request support for media requests. 4.d.  The selected honorees will be the 2025 USO SMOYs, and they  will be recognized as such at the 2025 USO Gala in Washington, DC,  on 29 May, 2025. After the gala, the USO will coordinate for award presentation at the honoree’s duty station. The USO plans to  announce the honorees from all branches simultaneously and so will retain release authority for public announcement. 5.  Release authorized by SES April L. Langwell, Director of  Communication, Communication Directorate, Headquarters Marine  Corps.//