The Sun Military Awards


The Sun Military Awards is an annual awards ceremony which honours members of the British armed forces and civilians involved with the forces. The awards are organised and sponsored by The Sun newspaper. The award trophies are designed and hand-made by British Silversmith and porcelain designer Kerry O'Connor.
During the televised ceremony, awards known as "Millies" are given out. The awards and their recipients are chosen by a select panel of ten judges, made up of national figures and military chiefs. Nominees of all but one of the categories are selected by the general public, with the remaining category winner chosen by the judges.
The first ceremony aired on Sky1 and was hosted by Tess Daly, but from 2009 until 2014, the awards were televised on ITV and are presented by Phillip Schofield and Amanda Holden. It currently airs on Forces TV.

Ceremonies

2008

The 2008 award ceremony was presented by Tess Daly, taking place on 16 December at Hampton Court Palace and was aired on Sky1 before Christmas that year.
AwardDetailsRecipientLance Corporal Jan Fourie
Most Outstanding AirmanFor the individual who has made the most outstanding contribution to the RAF over the last year.Warrant Officer Jack MacFarlane
: GroupFor a small unit or group of men or women from any service who have together performed a single act of true grit – through courage, determination or self-sacrifice – be it on or off duty.Royal Marines Armoured Support Group
Support to the Armed ForcesFor a civilian, a civil servant, a contractor or just an ordinary member of the public, who has provided invaluable help to the Armed Forces.Bryn Parry, Emma Parry, Jeremy and Francie Clarkson; Help For Heroes
Most Outstanding Sailor or MarineFor the individual who has made the most outstanding contribution to the Royal Navy or Royal Marines over the past year.Leading Seaman Lee Duffy
Most Outstanding SoldierFor the individual who has made the most outstanding contribution to the Army over the past year.WO2 Ian Farrell
True Grit: IndividualFor an individual serviceman or woman who has performed a single act of true grit – through courage, determination or self-sacrifice – be it on or off duty.Captain Simon Cupples
Overcoming AdversityTo recognise individuals who have suffered injury or illness, and yet have overcome their significant difficulties with fortitude.Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson
Best UnitThe winner of this award can either be a major or minor unit that has excelled consistently over the year, for example with notable achievements on an operational deployment.The Chinook Force
Judge's Award for Special RecognitionFor outstanding service by an individual or group, and not recognised elsewhere.Christine Bonner
2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment

2009

The 2009 award ceremony took place on 15 December 2009, and was broadcast on ITV on 21 December at 9pm. Phillip Schofield and Amanda Holden were the presenters for the first time.
The judges included John Terry, Jeremy Clarkson, Kelly Holmes, Ross Kemp and four ex-Service chiefs.
AwardRecipient
Overcoming AdversityMarine Ben McBean, 40 Commando Royal Marines, Plymouth, Devon
Most Outstanding Sailor or MarineAble Seaman Medical Assistant Kate Nesbitt MC, attached to 1st Battalion, The Rifles, Plymouth, Devon
Most Outstanding SoldierCorporal Mark Powis MC, 1st Battalion The Rifles, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset
Most Outstanding AirmanFlight Lieutenant John Walmsley, RAF Odiham, from Edinburgh
Best ReservistAble Seaman Edmund Grandison,, Royal Naval Reserve, from Tyseley, Birmingham
Support to the Armed ForcesThe town of Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire
Life Saver AwardCorporal Carl Thomas, 2nd Battalion, The Rifles, Liverpool
True Grit HomeActing Chief Petty Officer David Rigg, Fleet Air Arm, RNAS Culdrose, Cornwall
True Grit OverseasSergeant Andrew McNulty, 2nd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment, Catterick, North Yorkshire
Best UnitThe 2nd Battalion, The Rifles, Ballykinler, Northern Ireland
Judges' Award for Special RecognitionJoint Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group & Afghan Heroes

2010

The 2010 award ceremony was televised on ITV, on 20 December 2010. The ceremony was presented by Amanda Holden and Phillip Schofield.
AwardRecipient
Overcoming AdversityCorporal Andy Reid, 3rd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment
Most Outstanding Sailor or MarineSergeant Major Buck Ryan, 40 Commando
Most Outstanding SoldierWarrant Officer II Karl Ley, 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment RLC
Most Outstanding AirmanFlight Lieutenant Ian Fortune, No. 27 Squadron RAF
Best ReservistSquadron Leader Sarah Charter
Support to the Armed ForcesDenny Wise
Life Saver AwardCorporal Ricky Fergusson, 4th Battalion, The Rifles
True GritSergeant Keith Best, RAF Search and Rescue Force
Best Unit1st Battalion, The Mercian Regiment
Judges' Awards for Special RecognitionHeroes of Sangin
RAF Bomber Command

2011

The 2011 award ceremony took place at the Imperial War Museum on 19 December 2011 and was televised on ITV, on 21 December 2011, at 8.30pm. It was hosted by Amanda Holden and Phillip Schofield.
The winners were:
AwardRecipient
Overcoming AdversityPrivate Scott Meenagh, 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment
Most Outstanding Sailor or MarinePetty Officer Aircrewman Mike Henson,
Most Outstanding SoldierSergeant Ryan McReady, 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment
Most Outstanding AirmanFlight Lieutenant Michael Anderson, RAF Odiham
Best ReservistAir Engineering Technician Michelle Ping, Royal Naval Reserve Air Branch
Support to the Armed ForcesWalking with the Wounded
Life Saver AwardRAF Tactical Medical Wing
True GritPrivate Lee Stephens, 3rd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment
Best Unit42 Commando Royal Marines
Judges' Special Award
Judges' Special AwardRAF Search and Rescue

2012

The 2012 award ceremony was again held at the Imperial War Museum on 6 December 2012 and was televised on ITV, on 15 December 2012 at 9pm and were hosted by Amanda Holden and Phillip Schofield.
AwardRecipient
Overcoming AdversityCaptain Si Maxwell, Royal Marines
Most Outstanding Sailor or MarineCorporal Justin Morgan, Royal Marines, 771 Naval Air Squadron
Most Outstanding SoldierLance Corporal Sean Jones, 1st Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment
Most Outstanding AirmanSergeant Roy Geddes, No. 51 Squadron RAF Regiment
Best ReservistPrivate Simon Sunderland, Royal Logistics Corps
Support to the Armed ForcesNikki Scott, founder "Scotty's Little Soldiers"
Life Saver AwardLance Corporal Hayley Ridgeway, 1st Battalion, The Rifles
True GritCorporal Oliver Kennedy, 1st Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment
Best Unit3rd Battalion, The Rifles
Judges' Special AwardComplex Trauma Team, Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Headley Court
Judges' Special AwardOperation Olympics

2013

The 2013 award ceremony took place at the National Maritime Museum on 11 December and was televised on ITV on 16 December from 9pm. The ceremony was once again hosted by Amanda Holden and Phillip Schofield.
AwardRecipient
Overcoming AdversityCorporal Josh Boggi, Royal Engineers
Most Outstanding Sailor or MarinePetty Officer Emily McCullough, Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service
Most Outstanding SoldierRifleman Josh Dodds, B Company, 4th Battalion, The Rifles
Most Outstanding AirmanSergeant Anna Irwin, 18 Squadron RAF
Best ReservistLance Corporal Keith Mallon, Royal Yeomanry
Support to the Armed ForcesFamilies' Activity Breaks charity
Life Saver AwardSergeant Rachael Robinson, 22 Squadron, RAF Search and Rescue Force
Best Unit904 Expeditionary Air Wing, Tornado Detachment
Judges' Awards for Special RecognitionVeterans of the Battle of the Atlantic.
Camp Bastion's Support to Operations personnel

2014

The 2014 award ceremony took place at the National Maritime Museum on in December and was televised on ITV on 18 December from 8.30pm. The ceremony was hosted by Amanda Holden and Phillip Schofield.
Four specially created awards marked the end of combat operations in Afghanistan, with the recipients chosen from previous winners of awards.
AwardRecipient
The Fire-fight42 Commando Royal Marines
The Bomb HuntersWarrant Officer II Karl Ley, 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment RLC
The Life SaversFlight Lieutenant Ian Fortune, No. 27 Squadron RAF; Air Engineering Technician Michelle Ping, Royal Naval Reserve Air Branch
Brothers in Arms3rd Battalion, The Rifles
Support to the Armed ForcesMy Daddy is a Soldier Adventures
Hero AbroadHMS Illustrious
Home-Front HeroCorporal Daniel Botterell, 36 Engineer Regiment
Judges' Awards for Special RecognitionCommonwealth War Graves Commission

2015

The 2015 awards took place at Guildhall, London and were presented by Tom Bradby.
Award<Recipient
Most Outstanding SoldierMajor Andrew Todd, 2nd Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles
Best ReservistMajor Henry Dowlen, Royal Marines Reserves, London
Overcoming AdversityFormer Lance Corporal Dean Bousfield, Royal Army Medical Corps
Judges' Award for Special RecognitionThe Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Search and Rescue Force
Support to the Armed ForcesPilgrim Bandits
Most Outstanding Sailor or MarinePetty Officer Seamen Specialist Luke Hallis,
Judge's Award for Special RecognitionThe Invictus Games Foundation
Most Outstanding AirmenSergeant Michael Beamish, 1564 Flight, 905 EAW.
Best Unit Award

2016

The 2016 awards were presented by Lorraine Kelly on 14 December. They were televised on Forces TV.
AwardRecipient
Hero at Home Unit11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment RLC
Judges' Special Recognition2nd Battalion, the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment

2017

The 2017 awards were presented by Lorraine Kelly for the second time. The event took place on 13 December and were televised on Forces TV.
AwardRecipient
Hero at Home - IndividualLieutenant Jared Bambridge, 1st Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, Army
Best ReservistCorporal Phillip Keogh, 335 Medical Evacuation Regiment, Army
Hero at Home - UnitSouthern Diving Unit 2, Royal Navy
Overcoming AdversityFormer Senior Aircraftman Luke Wigman, RAF Regiment, RAF and former Captain Ibi Ali, The Yorkshire Regiment, Army
Hero Overseas – IndividualLeading Seaman Sally Hughes, HMS Dragon, Royal Navy
Hero Overseas – UnitUK Reaper Squadron, RAF
Inspiring OthersSPEAR 17, Army
Innovation AwardWarrant Officer Paul Moonan, Royal Navy
Judges’ Award for Special RecognitionOperation Ruman
Support to the Armed ForcesVeterans with Dogs

2018

The 2018 awards were presented by Lorraine Kelly for the third time. The event took place on 13 December and were televised on Forces TV.
AwardRecipient
Hero at Home - IndividualCdr Andrew Parkinson, Commanding Officer Navy Combined Cadet Force
Best ReservistCpl Isabell Hutchinson, 299 Parachute Squadron, Royal Engineers
Hero at Home - UnitJoint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Task Force
Hero Overseas – IndividualLCpl Chris May, LCpl Dean Priestley, Tpr Stuart Finlay, Tpr Ross Woodward, Tpr James Astbury, Tpr Zak Davidson
Hero Overseas – UnitHMS Daring
Inspiring OthersMajor Scotty Mills, Royal Marines
Innovation AwardDefence Science and Technology Laboratory – Sepsis research
Support to the Armed ForcesThere But Not There