ALARACT 011/2026
DTG: 041335Z MAR 26
UNCLAS
SUBJ/ALARACT 011/2026 – SGM LARRY L. STRICKLAND EDUCATIONAL
LEADERSHIP AWARD 2026
THIS ALARACT MESSAGE HAS BEEN TRANSMITTED BY JSP ON BEHALF OF
DCS, G–1
1. (U) PURPOSE: THE LARRY L. STRICKLAND EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP
AWARD (SELA) IS A NON-FEDERAL AWARD OF THE ASSOCIATION OF THE
UNITED STATES ARMY (AUSA). THIS AWARD HONORS THE MEMORY OF
SERGEANT MAJOR (SGM) LARRY L. STRICKLAND (DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF
FOR ARMY PERSONNEL SGM); A VICTIM OF THE SEPTEMBER 11TH TERRORIST
ATTACK ON THE PENTAGON. HE REPRESENTS ALL SOLDIERS AND CIVILIANS
LOST IN THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM. SGM STRICKLAND WAS AN
OUTSTANDING SOLDIER WHO CARED DEEPLY ABOUT MENTORING MEMBERS
OF THE ENLISTED FORCE AND BELIEVED “IF YOU EDUCATE THE NCO, YOU
EDUCATE THE SOLDIERS THEY LEAD.” THE SELA IS AWARDED ON AN ANNUAL
BASIS TO A NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER (NCO) THAT EXEMPLIFIES THE
ABILITY TO EDUCATE, DEVELOP, AND TRAIN SOLDIERS IN THE ARMY’S
PROFESSION OF ARMS BY STRENGTHENING THEIR STEWARDSHIP THROUGH
COMMITMENT, RESPONSIBILITY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO ENSURE
DEVELOPMENT OF FUTURE GENERATIONS.
2. (U) THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NCO SHAPING OUR FUTURE LEADERS IS A
KEY COMPONENT TO BUILDING COHESIVE TEAMS THAT ARE HIGHLY TRAINED,
DISCIPLINED, FIT, AND READY TO FIGHT AND WIN. WHILE STRENGTHENING
THE PROFESSION REQUIRES COMMITTED LEADERS AT EVERY ECHELON,
LIVING THE ARMY VALUES AND ENFORCING STANDARDS AND DISCIPLINE IS
PARAMOUNT.
3. (U) APPLICABILITY: NOMINEES MUST BE IN THE RANKS OF STAFF SERGEANT
THROUGH COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR (CSM)/SGM CURRENTLY SERVING ON
ACTIVE DUTY (AC/AGR). RESERVE COMPONENT NCOS ARE ELIGIBLE WHILE
MOBILIZED ON TITLE 10 UNITED STATES CODE (10 USC) ORDERS. NOMINEES
MUST DISPLAY DEMONSTRATED LEADERSHIP IN ESTABLISHING PROGRAMS
AND PROCEDURES TO ENHANCE THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR
SUBORDINATES BY ENCOURAGING AND SUPPORTING ATTENDANCE IN
ACADEMIC/CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS (PROGRAMS THROUGH ARMY
CONTINUING EDUCATION SYSTEM) AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL SELF–
DEVELOPMENT COURSES/PROGRAMS THAT ENHANCE LIFELONG LEARNING
OF SOLDIERS AND SOLDIER READINESS. NOMINEES MUST BE ELIGIBLE FOR
FAVORABLE PERSONNEL ACTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH AR 600–8–2.
VERIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE NOMINEES’
CHAIN OF COMMAND AND S–1.
4. (U) AWARD DISTRIBUTION:
4.A. (U) ONE E6–E7 AC/AGR/TROOP PROGRAM UNITS (TPU) ON 10 USC
ORDERS.
4.B. (U) ONE E8–E9 AC/AGR/TPU ON 10 USC ORDERS.
5. (U) NOMINATION PROCEDURES:
5.A. (U) ALL ARMY COMMANDS (ACOMS), ARMY SERVICE COMPONENT
COMMANDS (ASCCS), AND DIRECT REPORTING UNITS (DRUS) WILL SUBMIT
ELECTRONIC SELA NOMINATION PACKETS ANNUALLY.
5.B. (U) ANYONE SENIOR TO THE SOLDIER IN THEIR COMMAND MAY SUBMIT A
NOMINATION, OR THE SOLDIER MAY SELF-NOMINATE THROUGH THEIR
RESPECTIVE ACOM/ASCC/DRU.
5.C. (U) IF A SOLDIER IS NOMINATED BY A THIRD PARTY, THE NOMINATION
PACKET MUST CONTAIN A DA FORM 7433 (PRIVACY ACT INFORMATION
RELEASE STATEMENT) SIGNED BY THE NOMINEE AUTHORIZING THE THIRD
PARTY TO SUBMIT THE INFORMATION TO A NON-DEPARTMENT OF WAR (DOW)
ENTITY. SELF-NOMINATIONS DO NOT REQUIRE A SIGNED DA FORM 7433.
5.D. (U) ALL NOMINATIONS MUST BE ENDORSED IN A MEMORANDUM FORMAT
(SEE ATTACHMENT 1) BY THE SOLDIER'S (ACOM/ASCC/DRU) CSM. ONE
NOMINATION PER COMMAND WILL BE ACCEPTED UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
5.E. (U) NOMINATIONS WILL BE SUBMITTED IN NARRATIVE FORMAT (SEE
ATTACHMENT 2) AND INCLUDE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF EDUCATIONAL
LEADERSHIP IMPROVEMENT QUALITIES THE NOMINEE HAS SHOWN IN
ENHANCING SOLDIERS’ EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.
5.F. (U) EACH COMMAND WILL SUBMIT AN ELECTRONIC COPY OF THE
NOMINATION PACKET NO LATER THAN 29 MAY 2026 TO THE POINT OF
CONTACT, SFC DEJAVON TORRES AT DEJAVON.M.TORRES.MIL@ARMY.MIL.
THE PACKET WILL CONSIST OF THE SOLDIER’S NOMINATION, ACOM/ASCC/DRU
CSM ENDORSEMENT, AND SHORT BIOGRAPHY. IF A THIRD PARTY NOMINATES
A SOLDIER, THEN THE PACKET MUST CONTAIN A DA FORM 7433 (SEE
ATTACHMENT 3) SIGNED BY THE NOMINEE FOR THE THIRD PARTY TO SUBMIT
THE PACKET AND THE DOCUMENTS TO BE RELEASED TO A NON-DOW ENTITY.
6. (U) SCREENING PROCESS:
6.A. (U) DCS, G–1 SENIOR ENLISTED PANEL OF SGMS WILL REVIEW AND
NOMINATE THE TOP SIX E6–E7 AND TOP SIX E8–E9 CANDIDATES. DCS, G–1
WILL PROVIDE THE OFFICE OF THE SGM OF THE ARMY WITH THE NAMES OF
THE TOP CANDIDATES NO LATER THAN 8 JUNE 2026.
6.B. (U) THE OFFICE OF THE SGM OF THE ARMY WILL REVIEW NOMINATION
PACKETS AND NOMINATE THE TOP THREE E6–E7 AND TOP THREE E8–E9
CANDIDATES. DCS, G–1 WILL PROVIDE AUSA SCREENING COMMITTEE WITH
THE NAMES OF THE TOP THREE CANDIDATES NO LATER THAN 19 JUNE 2026.
6.C. (U) AN AUSA SCREENING COMMITTEE WILL REVIEW NOMINATION
PACKETS AND SELECT AWARD RECIPIENTS. AUSA WILL PROVIDE DCS, G–1
WITH THE NAMES OF 2026 RECIPIENTS NO LATER THAN 17 JULY 2026.
6.D. (U) THE NAMES OF THE AWARD RECIPIENTS WILL BE RELEASED IN AN
ALARACT MESSAGE ON OR ABOUT 3 AUGUST 2026.
7. (U) AWARD:
7.A. (U) THE AWARD WILL HAVE TWO COMPONENTS: HONORARY AND
MONETARY. RECIPIENTS WILL RECEIVE A BRONZE EAGLE AND EDUCATIONAL
SCHOLARSHIP DONATED BY THE LARRY STRICKLAND MEMORIAL FUND AND
SCHOLARSHIP.
7.B. (U) THE HONORARY COMPONENT WILL ALSO HAVE TWO SUB–
COMPONENTS: A BRONZE EAGLE PRESENTED TO THE RECIPIENT(S) AND THE
RECIPIENT'S NAME ENGRAVED ON A PLAQUE MOUNTED PERMANENTLY AT
THE SERGEANTS MAJOR ACADEMY.
7.C. (U) THE MONETARY AWARD WILL BE FOR A PORTION OF THE UNPAID
BALANCE OF COSTS ACCRUED FOR EDUCATION THAT TUITION ASSISTANCE
DOES NOT PAY. THESE COSTS INCLUDE RELATED INSTRUCTIONAL FEES, LAB
FEES, AND BOOK COSTS NOT COVERED BY TUITION ASSISTANCE (DOLLAR
AMOUNT FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE WILL BE CAPPED FOR THAT CURRENT
FISCAL YEAR).
7.D. (U) THE 2026 SGM LARRY L. STRICKLAND EDUCATIONAL AWARD WILL BE
PRESENTED AT THE AUSA CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON, DC IN OCTOBER
2026.
8. (U) POINTS OF CONTACT (POC): DAPE–ZA, SFC DEJAVON TORRES, DCS G–1
AT DEJAVON.M.TORRES.MIL@ARMY.MIL.
9. (U) THIS ALARACT MESSAGE EXPIRES ON 30 NOVEMBER 2026.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. SAMPLE SELA NOMINATION MEMORANDUM FORMAT
2. SAMPLE SELA ENDORSEMENT NARRATIVE FORMAT
3. SAMPLE DA FORM 7433
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
ORGANIZATION NAME/TITLE
STANDARDIZED STREET ADDRESS
CITY STATE 12345-1234
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
ORGANIZATION NAME/TITLE
STANDARDIZED STREET ADDRESS
CITY STATE 12345-1234
(Office Symbol) (Date)
MEMORANDUM THRU ACOM, ASCC, OR DRU CSM
FOR U.S. Headquarters, Department of the Army, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1 (DAPE-ZA),
300 Army Pentagon, Washington, DC 20310
SUBJECT: Sample SELA Nomination for SGM John Doe
SGM John Doe assumed his current position as the Sergeant Major, U.S. Army Dental
Command (DENCOM) on 1 January 1990. His number one goal was the establishment
of a formal continuing education and professional certification system for all military and
civilian Dental Specialists assigned to the Dental Command throughout the Army.
SGM Doe partnered with the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) and
developed the concept to provide quarterly continuing education courses for all military
and civilian dental assistants based worldwide. His business case analysis resulted in
approval and funding by the DENCOM Commander of this innovative plan to improve the
professional qualifications of military and civilian dental assistants. Subsequently, the
training received through this program was adopted on the Command’s balance
scorecard. This novel program allows all employees to fully participate in the continuing
education program without incurring out of pocket expenses. In the past two years
enrollment in the quarterly training courses have grown to over 2,500 enrollees. After
completion of each course, students receive completion certificates for their official
military and civilian files. This global training program has offered local employees from
the United States to Korea, Japan, Germany, and Italy, the opportunity to improve their
knowledge base. This has increased the professional knowledge of military and civilian
dental assistants, while improving the quality of care provided Soldiers and enhancing
dental readiness.
After completing four quarterly courses, students are qualified and highly encouraged
to challenge and pass the Dental Assisting Certification examination offered by the Dental
Assistant National Board and the American Dental Assistants Association. Through July
2003, over 800 dental assistants have challenged certification through the ADAA.
To date, over 15,000 courses have been completed, 600 certification examinations
taken, and over 2,500 Dental Assistants in five countries enrolled in his program.
(SIGNATURE BLOCK)
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
ORGANIZATION NAME/TITLE
STANDARDIZED STREET ADDRESS
CI STA 12345-1234
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
ORGANIZATION NAME/TITLE
STANDARDIZED STREET ADDRESS
TY TECITY STATE 12345-1234
(Office Symbol) (Date)
MEMORANDUM FOR Headquarters, Department of the Army, Deputy Chief of Staff,
G-1 (DAPE-ZA), 300 Army Pentagon, Washington, DC 20310
SUBJECT: Sample SELA Endorsement for SGM John Doe
SGM John Doe, United States Army Dental Command (DENCOM), is nominated for
the SELA for partnering with the American Dental Assistants Association to provide
quality quarterly continuing education for military dental specialists and civilian dental
assistants throughout the world. His brilliant leadership and flawlessly executed plan
resulted in an increase in the professional knowledge of our military and civilian dental
assistants, increased chair side skills, and improved morale and esprit de corps. This
initiative will have a profound positive impact on the Army Dental Care System by
raising the bar of professional knowledge resulting in top quality dental care, technically
and tactically proficient dental specialists, and high levels of Soldier dental readiness.
(ACOM/ ASCC/ DRU CSM
SIGNATURE BLOCK)