2025 Connecting File Writing Competition Winners

Date Signed: 10/15/2025 | CXFADMINS Number: 47/25

Duty Desk is at Trench 3 (Image Source: ChatGPT)

R 151447Z OCT 25
CXFADMIN 47/25
CFSGID/CXF MORGANS WELL TWENTYNINE PALMS// SUBJ/2025 WRITING COMPETITION AWARD RECIPIENTS//
REF/A/CXFADMIN 26/25//
AMPN/REF A IS THE SOLICITATION FOR SUBMISSIONS FOR THE 2025 WRITING COMPETITION//
POC/I.M. EDITOR/O-4/HQCXF G-99
COM CXFILE0302@GMAIL.COM//
GENTEXT/REMARKS//
1. The Executive Editor for The Connecting File and the Deputy Copy Writer of Combat Writing and Readiness are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Writing Competition Awards (WCA). This award recognizes the achievement of the Ground Combat Element’s top writers and most lethal warfighters during the summer of 2025. Each submission was highly competitive and indicative of the nominee’s exceptional leadership and selfless dedication to deterring our adversaries in every clime and place.

2. 2025 WCA Winners:
2.a. The First Place Award Winner is First Lieutenant Robert B. Gortner, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines.
2.b. The Second Place Award Winner is Captain Mitchell Teefey, Recruiting Station Sacramento.
2.c. The Third Place Award Winner is Captain John McLaughlin, Marine Aircraft Group 39.
2.d. The Honorable Mention is Corporal Alex Reyes Delgado, 2d Battalion, 23d Marines.
3. Award winners, and many other writers who submitted, will see their work published via SUBSTACK in the coming weeks.
3.1 The award winners will be recognized with customized gifts sent to the eight digit grid they passed over HF during their comm window.
4. Details regarding the opportunity to have a private leadership discussion with Major General Julian D. Alford (USMC, ret.) will be issued via separate correspondence to every writer who submitted their work.
5. Congratulations to those selected and all who provided submissions. Your performance in this vital area is noteworthy and will undoubtedly influence the infantry and reconnaissance communities.
6. Release authorized by Major Geoff T. Ball, Deputy Editor for Combat Writing and Readiness.//

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The opinions expressed above are those of the author and The Connecting File. They do not reflect the views of the Department of Defense, the United States Marine Corps, or any other government entity.