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Celebrating Resilience: The 19th Annual Military Child of the Year Award

Operation Homefront is excited to announce that nominations are now open for the prestigious 19th Annual Military Child of the Year Award. This honor is dedicated to recognizing the incredible achievements and resilience demonstrated by children of military families across the nation. Each year, the award celebrates the remarkable contributions of young individuals who showcase leadership, dedication, and perseverance.

Who Can Be Nominated?

The coveted award recognizes seven distinguished young individuals—one from each military branch: the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and National Guard. Eligible nominees must be between 13 to 18 years old and must be a legal dependent of a service member or military retiree. To qualify, nominees are expected to excel in various areas, including academics, volunteerism, athletics, and artistic pursuits.

The nomination period runs through December 1, 2026. This is an opportunity for families, friends, teachers, coaches, and community leaders to shine a light on military children who demonstrate outstanding qualities despite the challenges they face.

The Impact of Military Life on Children

Military families often undergo considerable change, relocating multiple times and adapting to new environments. Behind every service member is a family that may struggle with long separations, transitions, and other unique challenges. This award aims to highlight the significance of the contributions that military children make while managing these transitions with courage.

The 2026 award recipients exemplify the outstanding spirit of military youth. Collectively, the previous recipients volunteered more than 4,800 hours and collectively navigated 35 military moves. Their achievements illustrate the profound impact military life can have, fostering qualities like resilience and altruism.

Voices of Experience: A Child's Perspective

Retired Rear Admiral Alan Reyes, the President and CEO of Operation Homefront, commented on the importance of recognizing military children:

“Each of our nation’s 1.6 million military children carries a story of strength, sacrifice, and service that deserves to be recognized. Having experienced military life as a child and having raised two daughters in a military family, I understand the challenges and uncertainty these young people often face through circumstances beyond their control. Their actions, accomplishments, and support for others make a lasting difference wherever military life takes them.”

One of the past awardees, Victoria V., representing the Coast Guard, shared her thoughts:

“It felt meaningful being named Military Child of the Year, not just for the challenges I've faced as a military child, but for everything I've accomplished because of them.” Her reflections emphasize the complexities and triumphs of growing up in a military family.

The Gala and Recognition

Winners of the Military Child of the Year Award will be honored at a gala in April 2027 in Arlington, Virginia. Each recipient will receive a $10,000 scholarship, a laptop, and additional gifts from generous corporate partners of Operation Homefront. Furthermore, the organization will cover travel expenses for awardees and their families, providing them with an opportunity to connect and celebrate their accomplishments.

In recent years, awardees have had the chance to meet influential figures, including the Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, First Lady Michelle Obama, and noteworthy celebrities and leaders. This environment of recognition not only rewards the individual achievements of these young leaders but also strengthens the fabric of the military community.

How to Nominate

Anyone can nominate a deserving military child—friends, teachers, coaches, or family members are encouraged to submit nominations. To learn more about this opportunity and to submit a nomination, visit OperationHomefront.org/military-child-of-the-year.

In conclusion, the Military Child of the Year Award serves as a valuable reminder of the strength and resilience exhibited by military children. Their stories of perseverance inspire us all to recognize and support the sacrifices made by military families. Through this initiative, we celebrate not just their achievements, but their potential to lead and inspire future generations.