UNCLASSIFIED

ROUTINE

R 181259Z APR 18

FM CNO WASHINGTON DC

TO NAVADMIN

INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC

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INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//DNS//

MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/DNS/APR//

SUBJ/2018 AMERICAN LEGION SPIRIT OF SERVICE AWARD//
POC/KRISTINE GARLAND/NAVCO/LOC:  MILLINGTON, TN/TEL:  (901) 874-5882/
EMAIL:  kristine.garland@navy.mil.

RMKS/1.  The American Legion will present its Spirit of Service Award
to an enlisted member (E-5 and below) from each branch of the Armed
Forces.  The award, given since 2000, will be presented by the National
Commander, Denise Rohan, on stage at the Legion's National Convention in
Minneapolis, MN, 24-30 August 2018.

2.  Eligibility.  The main criterion of the award is the level of
volunteer community service that a Sailor performs off-duty in the local
community.  Command-sponsored volunteer activities, either on duty or off,
will not be counted.  The period of service is 1 January 2017 - 31 December
2017, and nominees must be E-5 or below during the period of service.
Nominees may be active or reserve, and must be outstanding military
professionals.  Previous winners of this award are not eligible.  If chosen
as the recipient, the awardee must attend the American Legion National
Convention.

3.  Travel and lodging.  Within CONUS, the American Legion will
provide travel and lodging expenses for the individual winner only.  The
winner is responsible for travel expenses for family members or guests.  The
winner will arrive at the convention hotel on Saturday, 25 August 2018, and
depart Wednesday, 29 August 2018.

4.  Nominations.  Nomination packages must contain the following
information:
    a.  Commanding Officer nomination.  CO's may nominate one Sailor
from their command.  Nominations must be on command letterhead and
indicate the CO's confidence in the Sailor's professionalism and as a
representative of the Navy, the validity of the volunteer efforts, and
a commitment to facilitate their nominee's attendance at the national
convention if selected.  Endorsements are not required.
    b.  Volunteer efforts.  Description of volunteer efforts must include
quantitative data such as hours, days, or months spent on off-duty
volunteer community service.  Command sponsored volunteer activities, either
on-duty or off-duty, will not be counted.  This description should be
provided in a bullet format.
    c.  Nominee photo.  A high-resolution JPEG head and full body
photograph of the Sailor is required.  If chosen as the award recipient,
the nominee's photo will be used in printed and online material to
publicize and document the award ceremony.  The photo should be similar to
those commonly associated with Navy leader biographies and official
portrait photos.
    d.  Nominee biography.  If chosen as the award recipient, the biography
will be used in the Legion's magazine and convention program.  The biography
should include hometown information as well as professional highlights and
qualifications.
    e.  Signed consent for release of information.  A written and signed
statement of consent by the Sailor, authorizing release of information
contained in the nomination, is required per the Privacy Act of 1974.
The following statement is a sample of written consent:  "I,
(rate/rank/full name), do hereby authorize the release of all information
enclosed in this nomination package to those persons involved in the
selection process."

5.  Nomination submission.  Nominations must be received by 29 May
2018.  Nominations must be submitted electronically to
kristine.garland@navy.mil.

6.  Selection process.  The Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO)
will consolidate all nominations, organize a ranking board, and recommend
the top candidates to the American Legion, which will make the
selection.  NAVCO will inform the winner and also notify those not selected.

7.  Released by Vice Admiral K. M. Donegan, Director, Navy Staff.//

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