SOUTHERN MARYLAND —Submissions are now open for the 2026 Operation Homefront Military Child of the Year® Award, the nation’s premier recognition honoring the remarkable achievements of military children. Families stationed at NAS Patuxent River, NSF Indian Head, Joint Base Andrews, NSWC Dahlgren, and other installations across Southern Maryland and the National Capital Region are strongly encouraged to nominate outstanding youth in their communities.
Now in its 18th year, the award highlights military dependents ages 13 to 18 who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, volunteerism, academic excellence, and resilience — all while navigating the unique challenges of military life.
Each of the seven recipients will represent a branch of the armed forces — Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Space Force — and will receive:
- A $10,000 award
- A laptop computer
- Travel for the recipient and a guardian to Washington, D.C. for a recognition gala in April 2026, during the Month of the Military Child
The gala will include senior military leaders and is an opportunity to spotlight the strength and contributions of military youth nationwide.
Local Impact And Eligibility
Military families stationed at installations such as NAS Patuxent River, NSF Indian Head, Joint Base Andrews, and NSWC Dahlgren are deeply woven into the Southern Maryland and Greater D.C. communities. This award is an opportunity to bring national attention to the incredible young leaders growing up right here in our region.
Eligibility requirements include:
- Legal military dependent status (verified through DEERS)
- Age 13–18 at the time of nomination
- Availability to travel to Washington, D.C., from April 21–24, 2026
- Previous award recipients are not eligible
- Officers, employees, and affiliates of Operation Homefront are not eligible
Semifinalists must also:
- Submit two letters of recommendation
- Provide a valid DD1172 form
- Participate in media and donor recognition activities
Nominations will close Dec. 2, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CST.
Help shine a light on the exceptional military children in our Southern Maryland and D.C.-area communities. Whether they are active in school leadership, volunteers in local nonprofits, or resilient supporters of their families during deployments, these youth deserve recognition.
To learn more or submit a nomination, visit: https://operationhomefront.org
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