News Summary
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Military Child of the Year Awards, celebrating the achievements of exceptional military youth. Sponsored by Operation Homefront, the awards recognize children aged 13-18 from military families, providing them a chance to win cash prizes and attend a gala event in Washington, D.C. The deadline for nominations is December 2, and the awards highlight the resilience and contributions of military children over the years.
San Antonio, Texas – Nominations have officially opened for the 2026 Military Child of the Year® Awards, recognizing exceptional children from military families. These awards, organized by Operation Homefront, have been celebrating the resilience and achievements of military youth for 18 years. The nomination period will remain open until December 2, 2025.
The program honors outstanding young people aged 13-18, representing each branch of the armed forces including the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Navy, National Guard, Marine Corps, and Space Force. Eligible nominees include children of Active Duty members, reserves, Gold Star families, National Guard, and retired military personnel. Each year, hundreds of military teens are nominated by parents, teachers, mentors, or guardians for their remarkable contributions and ability to navigate the challenges of military life.
Recipients of the Military Child of the Year Awards will be awarded a $10,000 cash prize, a laptop computer, and a trip to Washington, D.C., where they will stay for three nights to attend the Awards Gala scheduled for April 23, 2026. This gala takes place during the Month of the Military Child, an initiative aimed at highlighting the contributions and sacrifices of military children.
In 2025, the awards saw a record-breaking 900 nominees. Seven awardees were recognized, each representing a different military branch. The collective experiences of the 2025 recipients showcased the resilience within military families, as they had moved a total of 34 times and endured 283 months of deployments. They also logged an impressive 3,488 volunteer hours in the year leading up to their nominations.
The Military Child of the Year Awards aim to emphasize the significant impact military children have on their families, schools, and communities. By shining a light on their achievements, the program seeks to honor their unique experiences and the strength they demonstrate amid the demands of military life.
Sponsors supporting the awards include RTX, Black Rifle Coffee Company, and Procter & Gamble, highlighting the corporate community’s commitment to acknowledging the challenges faced by military families.
Operation Homefront works to build strong military families by offering critical assistance and support services. The Military Child of the Year Awards not only recognize individual accomplishments but also reflect the collective resilience and strength of military families across the nation. As nominations are now open, the program encourages those involved with military youth to consider submitting nominations for deserving candidates.
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Additional Resources
- PRWeb: Operation Homefront Announces 2025 Military Child of the Year Award Recipients
- Wikipedia: Military Child
- Stripes: Operation Homefront Military Child of the Year Nomination
- Google Search: Military Child of the Year
- KIRO7: Marysville Resident Named Military Child of the Year (Navy)
- Google Scholar: Military Child of the Year Awards
- SoMD News: Nominations Open for Operation Homefront’s Military Child of the Year Award
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Military Children
- WCTI12: Hubert Havelock Teens Honored as 2025 Military Child of the Year
- Google News: Operation Homefront 2025 Military Child of the Year
Author: STAFF HERE CORONADO
The Coronado Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HERECoronado.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Coronado, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Coronado Island Film Festival, productions at Lamb’s Players Theatre, community workshops at John D. Spreckels Center, and iconic celebrations at Hotel del Coronado. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Coronado Chamber of Commerce and Visit Coronado, plus leading businesses in hospitality, dining, and tourism that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERESanDiego.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
