Awards

National Blacks In Government (BIG) Military Meritorious Service Award

National Blacks In Government (BIG) is one of the Department of Defense (DoD)’s diversity affinity groups and is accepting nominations for National Blacks In Government Military Meritorious Service Award.  This guide provides information on this award.

Nominees represent the Department of Defense; therefore, the agency must ensure there is nothing in their background that would discredit the Department.

General Information:

An award recipient’s organization is responsible for certifying the nominations and funding any travel and per diem costs for the awards presentation. The awards will be presented during BIG’s 2023 National Training Institute (NTI), a 4-day premiere training event with individual sessions facilitated by subject matter experts and Senior Executive Service (SES) members.  Many of the sessions qualify for continuing professional education (CPE) credits.  Attendance by DoD personnel at any of these events that meet the definition of a conference must be approved in accordance with the conference approval procedures outlined in the Deputy Secretary of Defense Memorandum dated September 29, 2012, “Implementation of Conference Oversight Requirements and Delegation of Conference Approval Authority.” 

Specific Evaluation Criteria:

1. The nominees demonstrated support for the full integration and promotion of African Americans within the Armed Forces or Federal civilian workforce.
2. The nominees significantly increased the opportunity for participation of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in Federal programs and enhanced the capacity to build and develop infrastructure to increase participation in DoD programs involving contracts and grants, student and faculty employment, Research and Development, and the Officer Training Corps.

Note: Military or Civilian award nominations should be submitted directly to your DoD component for consideration. Your DoD component must submit their top three (3) nominees to BIG for the final selection of award recipients on or before Friday, June 2, 2023.

Awards will be presented on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, to one outstanding person Military or Civilian (selected winner) from the following Components if all prerequisites listed in this package are met: Active and Reserve Service Components, National Guard, Defense Agencies, DoD Field Activities, or a Combatant Command.

Click here to download BIG Military Meritorious Service Award package.