Marine Corps Association Hosts Training and Education Awards Dinner

The Marine Corps Association, in partnership with Training and Education Command, hosted the 2026 Training and Education Awards Dinner on May 7 in Quantico, Va. This event recognized outstanding instructors, faculty advisors and exercise controllers whose efforts are shaping the future of the Marine Corps. 

 The evening brought together senior Marine Corps leadership, Marines, civilians, industry partners and families to honor excellence across the training and education enterprise. Throughout the ceremony, speakers emphasized the critical role instructors and educators play in preparing Marines for the evolving realities of modern warfare. 

 Lieutenant General Ben Watson, the commanding general of Training and Education Command (TECOM), highlighted the importance of innovation, adaptability and maintaining high standards across the force as the Marine Corps modernizes training environments and prepares Marines for future conflict. 

 “We built this plan on four lines of effort,” LtGen Watson said. “Making Marines, enhancing lethality, training units to fight, and learning and adapting at speed.” 

 LtGen Watson also discussed Project Tripoli, TECOM’s modernization initiative focused on creating integrated live, virtual and constructive training environments capable of preparing Marines to operate across increasingly complex and contested domains. 

 The evening’s guest of honor, General Eric M. Smith, the 39th Commandant of the Marine Corps, reinforced the importance of instructors within the Marine Corps profession and emphasized that the Corps’ greatest warfighting advantage remains the individual Marine.  

“It is Marines who win battles,” Gen Smith said. “Not plans, not equipment, not weapons—Marines win those battles.” 

 The Commandant also stressed the responsibility instructors carry in preparing Marines for future conflict, calling Training and Education Command the “vanguard” of the Marine Corps and emphasizing that every Marine passes through TECOM at some point in their career. 

 “At the heart of that transformation are our instructors,” Gen Smith said. “They’re teachers, coaches, and most importantly, they’re mentors.” 

 Throughout the ceremony, leaders repeatedly highlighted the importance of maintaining standards, realistic training and preparing Marines, not only physically, but intellectually, for the rapidly changing character of warfare. 

 The ceremony recognized outstanding performers from across the training and education enterprise, including instructors from recruit training, formal schools, Marine Corps University, aviation training, MAGTF training programs and the Marine Corps Junior ROTC program. 

 Reflecting on receiving the Marksmanship/Small Arms Instructor of the Year award, Sergeant Tristan J. Hermesman spoke about the importance of mentoring the next generation of Marines. 

“I love what I do,” Hermesman said. “Teaching recruits how to shoot because I love shooting and just being able to teach the next generation of Marines how to shoot is super important to me.” 

Hermesman also encouraged Marines and future recruits to stay grounded in their purpose and commitment to service. 

 “Don’t forget why you joined,” he said. “Whether you do four years or 40 years, you joined for a reason.” 

The evening reinforced the Marine Corps Association’s continued commitment to recognizing excellence across the Marine Corps and supporting the professional development of Marines at every stage of their careers. As warfare evolves and operational demands continue to grow, leaders emphasized that the Marines responsible for training and educating the force remain central to preserving the Corps’ warfighting advantage for generations to come.