All Public Affairs Officers:

The Maj. Howell Balsem Exceptional Achievement Awards for Public Affairs competition is now open for submission. This program recognizes excellence in five major categories that follow Civil Air Patrol's Marketing and Communications roles and responsibilities.

Entries will be submitted through the CAP/MAC online submission portal.

All work submitted for consideration for an award must have been completed from Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2022. The entry deadline is May 31.

All entries must be received by this date. Please plan accordingly.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

1. All entries must be the work of a public affairs officer below the national level. Entrants must have held a PAO position at a wing, group, or squadron level within the award period. Individuals who serve on national volunteer staff may NOT enter the competition.

2. No entry will be considered unless it completely conforms to the Civil Air Patrol brand standards outlined on the Brand Portal, which is the primary resource to consult when implementing the CAP brand across digital and printed collateral, and brings together information from a variety of regulations and manuals.

3. One entry per category per entrant. A project may be entered only once.

4. All entries must be reviewed and approved by the wing PAO to ensure the entry is cogent, well-written, and meets the entry criteria before submission to the MAC Balsem portal. No other form of submission will be allowed.

The judges will award one first-place Balsem Award per category unless there is a scoring tie. Multiple second-place Awards of Excellence and third-place Certificates of Merit may be awarded for each category. The judges may opt to not present one or more of the award types in any category.

The Lt. Col. Al Pabon Best in Show will be awarded at the judges’ discretion.

Go to this link for a detailed look at this year's categories and their requirements, as well as more information on the competition.

For further info, contact the National Public Affairs Officer, Capt. Brandon Lunsford, at blunsford@cap.gov.