MARINE CORPS ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION

The marine excellence awards program was established to recognize the professional achievements of marines and sailors (serving in marine corps units) and to recognize superior performance in marine corps officer and enlisted formal schools. These awards are also given for exceptional written work. Awards are a valuable incentive and an appropriate means of recognizing marines and sailors who excel in their commands, formal schools, and leadership courses. Mcaf is the largest contributor of awards given to the u.s. Marine corps. Each year mcaf gives awards to approximately 3,500 deserving marines and sailors, 94 percent of which go to enlisted men and women. These are just a few of the awards given to outstanding marines: the honor graduate from drill instructor school, recruit training awards (honor graduate recruit, high shooter and high physical fitness test), the basic officer training course honor graduate, officer candidates school honor graduate, and staff noncommissioned officer academy honor graduate). In 2024, over 3,500 marines received awards recognizing their excellent performance and their creative and persuasive written work.