The Sun Military Awards open for nominations
The Ministry of Defence and The Sun newspaper have launched the ninth annual Sun Military Awards – or ‘Millies’.
Nominations are now open for The Sun Military Awards which this year features new categories. The Armed Forces and the general public have until 10 October 2016 to put forward individuals and units for an award.
The Sun Military Awards were first held in 2008 and have been supported over the years by HRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. They provide a morale boost for Service personnel and are a high profile opportunity for the public to recognise some of their excellent work and outstanding achievements.
This year’s Millies will introduce several new awards including the Inspiring Others Award – honouring individuals in the Services, as well as the Cadet Forces who have inspired others to achieve more through their awe-inspiring example. Another new category is the Innovation Award which will recognise firms or individuals who have developed game-changing or life-saving pieces of equipment that transform the work of our Armed Forces.
Personnel from HMS Bulwark who won the Best Unit Award at the the 2015 Sun Military Awards
Previous winners include Most Outstanding Soldier Major Andrew Todd of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Gurkha Regiment, who rescued 116 climbers from Mount Everest during the Nepal earthquake. In the last awards, former Lance Corporal Dean Bousfield, of the Royal Army Medical Corps, took home the Overcoming Adversity Award in recognition of taking on various sporting and charity challenges despite being shot through the brain while on routine patrol in Afghanistan in 2010. His recovery astounded medical professionals, and he has since competed at the Invictus Games.
Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach said:
This year’s Millies will once again recognise the outstanding achievements of our Armed Forces as they continue to face new threats and tackle formidable challenges.
The last year has been no exception. Over the past 12 months we’ve seen our Servicemen and women prove exactly why we have the best Armed Forces in the world.Our commitment to our people and British interests means that our outlook has been and will continue to be truly global.
An awards reception will be held at the London Guildhall on 14 December 2016.
Do you know of an individual or unit that has performed with distinction between 1 Sept 2015 and 31 Aug 2016? This is your opportunity to give them the credit they deserve by visiting The Sun
Nominations will close on 10 October 2016. The ceremony will also be broadcast live on Forces TV (Sky 264, Virgin 277 and Freesat 652) and will be covered by The Sun newspaper.
The Sun Military Awards categories are:
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Hero at Home (Individual): Awarded to an individual from the Royal Navy, Army or RAF for an act of inspirational heroism inside the UK whether in the course of their work, outside of their work or on an operation. Nominees should include those who have truly gone above and beyond in a single act of bravery or dedication.
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Heroes at Home (unit): Awarded to a unit from the Royal Navy, Army or RAF for an act or continued effort in the UK in the highest traditions of the Armed Forces. The unit can be of any size and nominees must have proved themselves on an enduring mission or single response which is worthy of national recognition.
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Hero Overseas (individual): Awarded to an individual from the Royal Navy, Army or RAF for an act of inspirational heroism outside the UK in the course of their deployment. Nominees should include those who have truly gone above and beyond in a single act of bravery or dedication.
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Heroes Overseas (unit): Awarded to a unit from the Royal Navy, Army or RAF for an act or continued effort in outside the UK in the highest traditions of the Armed Forces. The unit can be of any size and nominees must have proved themselves on an enduring mission or single response which is worthy of national recognition.
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Best Reservist: Awarded to an individual Reservist from any branch of the Reserves for an act of bravery or exceptional service at home or abroad. Nominees should have gone above and beyond in their role as a committed reservist and be worthy of recognition for a single act of heroism, or for exceptional dedication.
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Inspiring Others: A new award for 2016 honouring individuals from the Royal Navy, Army or RAF, but also the Cadet Forces including cadets and adult volunteers who, through their awe-inspiring example, have inspired others to go further and achieve more. Individuals could be nominated who have inspired others to greater heights in their work, but also outside their day job.
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Overcoming Adversity: Awarded to an individual from the Royal Navy, Army or RAF who has overcome personal adversity in any area of their life. Traditionally this award had gone to those who have overcome injury in conflict, and while this category is still very much open to those who have beaten the odds to survive and thrive, it is also open to those who have overcome any kind of adversity, whether that be an underprivileged background, or disability, to go on to exceptional service.
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Innovation Award: A new award for 2016 open to an individual or company of any size which has designed, developed and delivered a piece of life-saving or game-changing equipment that is transforming the work of our Armed Forces at home and abroad. This award is not restricted to a piece of kit but can be a system, scheme or employment programme that is a true innovation.
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Support to the Armed Forces: Awarded to a civilian charity, group or company that has delivered unrivalled support to the Armed Forces community, to sustain and encourage them in any facet of military life, and life after service.
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Judges’ Award: Awarded at the Judges’ discretion to any individual, group or unit, to honour exceptional service worthy of recognition.