Announcement of the 2026 Department of War Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office Liz Blanc Award Winners

1.  Purpose.  To announce the Marine Corps
recipients of the 2026 Liz Blanc Exceptional Sexual Assault Response
Coordinator (SARC) of the Year, the Liz Blanc Exceptional Sexual
Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Victim Advocate (VA) of the
Year, and the Promoting Excellence in Prevention awards.  These
individuals demonstrated exceptional service and leadership in
prevention and response and embody the highest levels of
professionalism, dedication, and innovation through unwavering
commitment to sexual assault prevention and victim support.
2.  Background.  Each year, the Department of War Sexual Assault
Prevention and Response Office recognizes military members and
civilian professionals whose exceptional service strengthened sexual
assault prevention efforts, enhanced victim support, and ensured
mission readiness.  Two of the awards are named in honor of Liz
Blanc, a dedicated SAPR program leader whose dedication and vision
significantly advanced prevention and response initiatives across
the military.  Award recipients are chosen for their
forward-thinking initiatives, sustained superior performance, and
the demonstrated impact of their work within their commands and
across the broader military community.
3.  Congratulations to Willis May, Supervisory SARC, 1st Marine
Aircraft Wing, on selection as the Marine Corps 2026 Liz Blanc
Exceptional SARC.  May demonstrated extraordinary dedication and
performance in victim response that significantly exceeded position
requirements.  While managing a substantial sexual assault caseload
and overseeing SAPR program execution across the Pacific theater, he
consistently delivered high-quality, victim-centered advocacy to a
geographically dispersed force.  May's leadership, innovation, and
unwavering commitment to victim-centered response reflect the
highest standards of excellence in support of the Marine Corps SAPR
mission.
4. Congratulations to Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt) Bryan Ross, 1st
Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, on selection as the
Marine Corps 2026 Liz Blanc Exceptional SAPR VA of the Year. GySgt
Ross demonstrated exceptional and distinctive contributions to
victim response that far exceeded expectations for a collateral-duty
SAPR VA.  While serving with the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion,
GySgt Ross managed a demanding caseload while simultaneously
fulfilling his primary operational responsibilities with unwavering
professionalism and precision.  GySgt Ross's ability to deliver
consistent, high-quality, trauma-informed advocacy while in a
deployed environment represents an extraordinary achievement in
victim support and reflects the highest standards of excellence
within the Marine Corps SAPR program.
5.  Congratulations to Carlos Burela, Embedded Preventive Behavioral
Health Analyst, 1st Marine Division (MARDIV), on selection as the
Marine Corps 2026 Promoting Excellence in Prevention Award winner.
Burela distinguished himself through exceptional leadership and
innovation in support of force preservation and resilience.  Through
forward-thinking innovations in data collection, analysis, and
application, Burela enhanced the effectiveness of prevention
initiatives and measurably improved the culture of resilience and
force preservation.  His work impacted more than 19,000 Marines and
Sailors within the 1st MARDIV, while informing broader efforts
across I Marine Expeditionary Force and the Marine Corps.
6.  The Marine Corps commends all nominees and recipients for their
exceptional service and unwavering commitment to the SAPR mission.
Each nominee demonstrated exemplary professionalism, innovation, and
dedication in advancing victim support and strengthening prevention
efforts across the force.  Their collective contributions reflect
great credit upon themselves, their commands, and the United States
Marine Corps.
7.  This MARADMIN is cancelled 30 June 2027.
8.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General William J. Bowers,
Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.