Each month MDAA recognizes and honors a member of the United States Armed Forces who is deployed on a U.S Missile Defense System.   These select individuals represent the best in leadership, effort and sacrifice, demonstrating their commitment to excellence in their role in missile defense. They are an inspiration to their peers and commanding officers.

The purpose of this award is to recognize exceptional individuals responsible in their role of defending our homeland, armed forces, and allies. This recognition will also help to educate the American public on the critical role they play in defending our national security.

Defenders of the Month are recommended by their peers and commanding officers of the United States Armed Forces and then selected by the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. The monthly selection culminates with an annual Defender of the Year selected by the public and awarded in January of each year.

Benefits:

Honorees are recognized before their peers in an induction ceremony, announced to MDAA’s 14,000 members and national press, featured on the MDAA website, and receive a commemorative plaque, lapel pin and membership coin.

Requirements:

·          The individual must be a member of the U.S. Armed Forces (Active Duty, Guard or Reserve) currently deployed on an Army, Navy or Air Force Missile Defense System or testing platform.

·          The individual’s assigned duties must be directly connected to manning or supporting an operational Missile Defense System or Sensor. (Examples: PATRIOT, THADD, GBI, Aegis, land- and sea-based sensors, battle management systems, etc.)

·          Summary nomination form and biographical information should be reviewed prior to submission by:

1.       Chain of Command Notification

2.       UNIT OPSEC Officer

3.       PAO

Application Process:

The individual submitting a recommendation must be a peer or commanding officer within the selectees unit. The recommender will submit a one page summary detailing how the selectee has served as an inspiration to his and her peers, the uniqueness of their position as related to missile defense and how they have excelled in performing these duties. Included in the package should be nominee contact information and a hi-resolution photo/headshot.

Nominations should be submitted to:           Kevin Morgan; kmorgan@missiledefenseadvocacy.org

Submission Deadline:

Nominations and letters of recommendation must be received no later than the 15th of each month. Applications received after the 15th will be considered for the following month. All nominations will be kept on file for future use.

Defenders of the Month: