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/[email protected]//   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.//