Nominations Now Being Accepted for Military Child of the Year Award

Nominations are now being accepted for the 18th annual Military Child of the Year® Award. The award is hosted by Operation Homefront to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of our military children. 

Each year, this prestigious award recognizes seven outstanding young individuals, one from each branch of the armed forces — Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and National Guard.  

Eligible nominees must be between 13 and 18 years old, be a legal dependent of a service member or military retiree and demonstrate a commitment to excellence in areas such as academics, civic leadership, volunteerism, athletics and arts.  Nominations will be accepted through December 2, 2025. 

Military children exemplify strength, adaptability, and determination. Operation Homefront’s Military Child of the Year® Award honors those who, despite the challenges of military life, continue to demonstrate exceptional character, leadership and service. In 2025, the seven award recipients contributed more than 3,400 volunteer hours in the year leading up to their nominations and had a change of station a combined 34 times. Many were involved in Advanced Placement (AP) programs, National Honor Society, as well as community organizations, and sports teams – showcasing a diverse array of talents and contributions.   

All seven Operation Homefront Military Child of the Year® Award Recipients will be invited to attend the Military Child of the Year® Awards Gala on Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Arlington, VA, where they will each receive $10,000 CASH, a laptop, and additional gifts from Operation Homefront’s generous corporate partners. Operation Homefront will provide airfare and lodging for each award recipient and two family members to attend the gala and spend a few days in the Washington, D.C. area.   

Previous recipients have had the honor of meeting several Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and their spouses, First Lady Michelle Obama, American sports anchor and reporter Lindsay Czarniak, and other well-known leaders, celebrities, and philanthropists who have served as guest speakers and entertainers. 

Anyone can nominate a military child—from family members and friends, to teachers, coaches, counselors, and clergy. Everyone is encouraged to recognize the outstanding military children in their lives. Visit operationhomefront.org/military-child-of-the-year to learn more and nominate a child for their respective branch award.