NSOF RECOGNITION AWARDS

About the Awards

The NSOF Community Recognition Awards honor members of the Navy EOD and Navy Diver community whose service, leadership, and contributions reflect the highest standards of the profession. Through peer-driven nominations, the program recognizes excellence across 3 categories: Excellence in Action, for active duty operators; Legacy of Valor, recognizing retired or separated members; and the Community Impact Award, which awards Navy EOD or Diving units that have made significant contributions to their teams and the broader community.

Excellence In Action

Awarded to an Active Duty Navy EOD Operator and/or Navy Diver who has demonstrated exceptional skill, leadership, and dedication. It honors outstanding achievements in mission execution, innovation, and the impact made on their teammates and the larger NSO community. These achievements may have taken place at any point throughout the servicemember’s career as a Navy EOD Operator or Navy Diver.

NAVY EOD

Recognizes a currently serving Navy EOD Operator who has demonstrated exceptional skill, leadership, and dedication. This award emphasizes one or more of the following: operational excellence, innovative contributions, and significant impact on their teammates and the broader Navy EOD community. The recipient embodies the highest standards of leadership and Navy EOD professionalism.

ELIGIBILITY

Must be currently serving as an Active Duty Navy EOD

Open to both Enlisted personnel & Officers

Achievements & contributions may have taken place at any point throughout their career

NOMINATION

Commands including Mobile Units & Group

Current or former Navy EOD Operators or Navy Divers

Non-EOD teammates who can attest to action

AWARD CRITERIA

Operational Excellence – Demonstrated superior execution of Navy EOD operations, technical proficiency, or leadership in mission-critical situations.

Wartime or High-Stakes Actions – May include acts of valor or bravery in combat or hazardous operations, but is not a mandatory criterion.

Tactical or Strategic Impact – Made a significant difference in the success of missions, training programs, or overall unit effectiveness.

Peer and Leadership Recognition – Recognized by peers and leadership for exceptional contributions to the force.

Innovative Contributions – Developed or implemented new techniques, procedures, or training improvements that enhanced EOD capabilities.

NOMINATION FORM

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NAVY DIVER

Recognizes a currently serving Navy Diver who has demonstrated exceptional skill, leadership, and dedication. This award emphasizes one or more of the following: operational excellence, innovative contributions, and significant impact on their teammates and the broader Navy Diving community. The recipient represents the highest standards of leadership and Navy Deep Sea Diving.

ELIGIBILITY

Must be currently serving as an Active Duty ND

Open to Enlisted ND & DMT personnel and Dive Medical Officers

Achievements & contributions may have taken place at any point throughout their career

NOMINATION

Commands including Mobile Units & Group

Current or former Navy Divers, DMT/DMO's

Non-ND teammates who can attest to action

AWARD CRITERIA

Exemplary Service in Diving Operations – Displayed outstanding skill, leadership, or contributions to diving operations, training, or specialized missions.

Innovation & Advancement – Developed or implemented new methods, safety protocols, or technical advancements that improved Navy Diving operations.

Training & Mentorship – Played a pivotal role in training and developing the next generation of Navy Divers.

Peer and Leadership Recognition – Recognized by peers and leadership for exceptional contributions to the force.

Operational or High-Risk Contributions – May include heroic actions, high-risk mission successes, or critical contributions to unit effectiveness.

NOMINATION FORM

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Legacy of Valor

Awarded to one former Navy EOD Operator and one former Navy Diver whose career exemplifies extraordinary courage, service, and dedication. This award honors those who have made a lasting impact through significant wartime actions, contributions to their respective communities, and/or an enduring legacy that continues to inspire future generations.

NAVY EOD

Recognizes a former Navy EOD Operator whose legacy exemplifies extraordinary courage, service, and dedication. This award emphasizes one or more of the following: significant wartime actions, contributions to the Navy EOD community, and the enduring legacy they leave behind. The recipient is the epitome of Navy EOD.

ELIGIBILITY

Must have honorably retired or separated as a Navy EOD Operator

Open to both Enlisted personnel and Officers

Achievements & contributions may have taken place at any point throughout their career

NOMINATION

Peers and teammates

Friends & family members

Former leadership or personnel serving under the nominee's leadership

Those who served with them or were directly impacted by them.

AWARD CRITERIA

Wartime or Operational Valor – Demonstrated exceptional bravery, leadership, or technical expertise in combat or operational environments.

Enduring Impact – Contributed significantly to the advancement, training, or development of Navy EOD capabilities.

Post-Service Contributions – Continued to serve or advocate for the Navy EOD community through mentorship, education, leadership, or veteran support efforts.

Legacy of Excellence – Left a lasting mark on the community through personal actions, inspiring future generations of Navy EOD Operators.

Peer or Community Recognition – Widely respected by peers and the broader community for exceptional contributions, whether in service, mentorship, leadership, or impactful actions that exemplify courage and commitment beyond duty.

NOMINATION FORM

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NAVY DIVER

Recognizes a former Navy Diver whose legacy exemplifies extraordinary courage, exceptional service, and dedication. This award emphasizes one or more of the following: significant operational actions, contributions to the Navy Diver community, and the enduring legacy they leave behind. This award celebrates their contributions to the Navy Diving community and the impact of their endeavors pre and post-service. The recipient is the epitome of a Navy Deep Sea Diver.

ELIGIBILITY

Honorably retired or separated as a Navy Diver

Open to both Enlisted personnel and Officers

Achievements & contributions may have taken place at any point throughout their career

NOMINATION

Peers and teammates

Friends & family members

Former leadership or personnel serving under the nominee's leadership

Those who served with them or were directly impacted by them.

AWARD CRITERIA

Pioneering Efforts or Valor – Made a lasting impact through technical innovation, underwater operations, or acts of extraordinary bravery.

Exemplary Service – Displayed outstanding skill, leadership, or contributions to diving operations in military or hazardous environments.

Post-Service Contributions – Remained involved in the diving community through advocacy, mentorship, or continued professional contributions.

Advancement of Navy Diving – Helped shape or improve the diving community, whether through training, safety improvements, or operational enhancements.

Legacy of Excellence – A legacy both during and post-service that commands deep respect from fellow divers and the broader community. whether in service, mentorship, leadership, or impactful actions that exemplify courage and commitment beyond duty.

NOMINATION FORM

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Community Impact

This award recognizes the collective excellence of a Navy EOD or Navy Diving unit over a 12-month timespan. Acknowledges a Navy EOD or Diving unit that has demonstrated exceptional and profound impact of unit-level contributions on the Navy Special Operations community.

COMMUNITY WIDE

Recognizes an NSO Unit that has demonstrated collective excellence over a 12-month period. This award emphasizes one or more of the following: unit-led community engagement, exceptional support, and lasting impact on the broader NSO Community.

ELIGIBILITY

Navy EOD or Navy Diving Unit

Open to all Navy EOD/Diver Sea and Shore duty commands

Achievements & contributions must have been made within a 12-month period

NOMINATION

Sailors within the unit

Civilians or community members who have witnessed their impact

Any person or group directly impacted by the unit

AWARD CRITERIA

Unit-Led Community Engagement – Demonstrated significant involvement in initiatives that support, uplift, or positively impact the Navy Special Operations community, service members’ families, or the broader civilian population.

Exceptional Support During Crisis or Emergencies – Provided critical assistance during natural disasters, emergency situations, or humanitarian efforts, demonstrating leadership and service beyond standard operational duties.

Advancement of NSO Culture and Heritage – Played a key role in preserving history, mentoring future generations, or fostering unit cohesion through education, outreach, or advocacy.

Lasting Impact Through Outreach & Mentorship – Developed programs, events, or initiatives that strengthened bonds within the EOD or Diving community and enhanced quality of life for service members, veterans, or their families.

Peer and Public Recognition – Earned widespread respect for outstanding contributions that have had a meaningful and lasting effect within the military or civilian community.

NOMINATION FORM

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Why Your Support Matters

Every contribution strengthens the mission. Our programs are designed by the community, for the community, ensuring that every initiative reflects the realities faced by our heroes and their families.

This isn’t just what we do—it’s who we are.

Our Team

The Navy Special Operations Foundation is guided by committed men and women, many of whom have personally served themselves within the community as either warriors or family members. All of our leaders understand through experience the unique needs of our families, and they are dedicated to ensuring our mission adds value to the lives of all that comprise this exceptional community.

MEET OUR TEAM

Making sure those who have selflessly served within the Navy Special Operations community are connected for life and are never neglected or forgotten.

OUR VISION

OUR MISSION

To ensure our operators and their families are provided with all the tools necessary to overcome any challenges they may face and let them know they are never alone in the fight.