2025 MRE JOURNALISM CONTEST
An annual competition for military news reporters, broadcasters, photographers, podcasters, and videographers sponsored by Military Reporters & Editors
AWARDS AVAILABLE
2025 MRE Journalism Contest
TOP HONORS
Joseph L. Galloway Award for Distinguished Journalism
$1,000 prize to winning journalist
Named after UPI combat correspondent and McClatchy Newspapers columnist, Joe Galloway, this award is for the Best of Show and is selected by the independent contest judges from all contest entries.
James Crawley Award
$500 prize to winning journalist
This is in remembrance of Jim Crawley, a former president and member of MRE. Crawley was the chief military reporter at the San Diego Union-Tribune. He later covered national security and veterans affairs for Media General News Service. This is Military Reporters & Editors top honor chosen specifically by the contest judges from all text media submissions.
TEXT MEDIA
- Best Breaking News Reporting
, Division 1 - Best Enterprise / Feature Reporting , Division 1
- Best Investigative Reporting , Division 1
- Best Commentary / Opinion , Division 1
- Best Breaking News Reporting , Division 2
- Best Enterprise / Feature Reporting , Division 2
- Best Investigative Reporting , Division 2
- Best Commentary / Opinion , Division 2
- Division 1: Newsrooms with 20 or more reporters
- Division 2: Newsrooms with fewer than 20 reporters
AUDIO/VIDEO/VISUAL MEDIA
- Best TV / Video News , Division 1 (video)
- Best TV / Video Documentary , Division 1 (video)
- Best Radio News , Division 1 (audio)
- Best TV / Video News , Division 2 (video)
- Best TV / Video Documentary , Division 2 (video)
- Best Radio News , Division 2 (audio)
- Best Audio Documentary (audio)
- Best Audio Talk Show or Interview (audio)
- Best in Photojournalism (visual)
- Division 1: International / National Market
- Division 2: Local / Regional Market
STUDENT MEDIA PROJECT
- Best Promising Journalist (text, audio, video, visual media)
QUICK FAQs
2025 MRE Journalism Contest
What are the contest dates?
- The 2025 MRE Journalism Contest opens Friday, May 30.
- The 2025 MRE Journalism Contest closes Saturday, June 28.
Who can enter?
- Individual journalists or teams published via print, broadcast, or online media producing original content focused on U.S. and non-U.S. military, veteran affairs, homeland defense, national security, or warfare are eligible to enter the contest.
- Correspondents and freelancers meeting the above criteria are also eligible.
- Students enrolled full- or part-time in graduate or undergraduate programs are eligible to submit an entry.
- Military Reporters & Editors (MRE) officers and board of directors are not eligible.
Who judges the MRE Contest?
- Judging is done by a panel independent of MRE, its officers and board of directors.
- All decisions by the judges are final.
When are winners announced?
- Winners will be notified at the conclusion of judging.
- Winning entries will be posted on the MRE website – https://www.militaryreporters.org.
- Winners are encouraged to attend the awards ceremony on November 7, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
How do I enter the contest?
- You can access the contest at https://www.mrecontest.org.
- Or click the button below.
OFFICIAL RULES
2025 MRE Journalism Contest
CALENDAR YEAR 2024
- All work entered must have been originally published, broadcast, aired or posted online between January 1 and December 31, 2024.
CONTEST ENTRY FEE
- A $50 entry fee must be paid for the first entry.
- A $25 entry fee must be paid for additional entries.
- Entry fees are non-refundable.
- Eligible MRE members may receive an entry fee waiver for their first contest entry.
- This benefit applies to members submitting an entry for their own work; the member discount may not be assigned to another person. This is because the award is given to journalists; the publishing media outlet or organization is recognized but is not the official award recipient.
- Application for membership must be approved and membership active before a contest entry is submitted for the member to be eligible for the fee waiver.
- Members should login to the MRE website and visit the member’s page to pick up their discount code before entering the contest.
- The MRE membership fee waiver cannot be applied retroactively.
CONTEST ENTRY FORM
- A completed entry form must be submitted with each entry.
- An entry form should be submitted in the name of the journalist whose byline appears on the submission(s).
- In the case of a series entry, the entering journalist’s name must appear on the byline of all articles from the series submitted to the contest for consideration (up to four).
CONTEST ENTRY GUIDELINES
- Entry guidelines are provided, as well as category specifications.
- It is up to the entrant to comply with contest rules and requirements outlined throughout contest documentation and forms.
ENTRY DISQUALIFICATION
- An entry may be disqualified if contest rules are not followed.
- Inaccessible or broken or faulty submission links will disqualify an entry.
ENTRY DEADLINE
- All entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST Saturday, June 28, 2025.
ENTRY MATERIALS FILE FORMATS
- PDF for documents – all text media.
- PDF must not contain ads or links to ads.
- Text only pdf is acceptable.
- Text with article graphics is acceptable.
- Text must be legible and properly aligned on pages for crisp and easy reading.
- MP3 files for audio media.
- MP4 files for video media.
- JPG (preferred) or PNG for visual image media
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
- All work must have been originally published, printed, broadcast, aired or posted online in the English language.
JOURNALIST HEADSHOT
- A recent headshot for each journalist named on an entry is requested. Image should be no smaller than 600px X 600px. This will be published on the MRE website with a winning submission.
JOURNALIST BIOGRAPHY
- A 100-300 word biography for each journalist named on an entry is required.
PUBLICATION DATE
- All work must have a verifiable publication, broadcast, air or posting date.
PUBLICATION NAME
- All work must have a publication name listed on the article(s).
LINKS
- URLs (web addresses) are required for all entry submissions originally published online.
- If a link is submitted for submission review it must be functional, valid, and accessible.
- Instructions must be provided to access article(s) behind a paywall, along with login credentials.
- MRE needs unrestricted access throughout the judging period to material for viewing. (E.G. Limit of 1 free article a month or limit of 3 free articles a month, etc. is not acceptable for judges who may need access numerous times for review and reference during the contest.)
- If links cannot be accessed, it is the entrant’s responsibility to set up or arrange an acceptable solution.
LINKS TO THIRD-PARTY PLATFORMS
- The use of links to third-party websites and sharing platforms for entry submissions such as YouTube, Vimeo or SoundCloud is permissible.
- Links must remain active for a period of one year.
REPRINT PERMISSION
- By submitting an entry form – including a journalist biography, headshot – permission is granted to Military Reporters & Editors to display winning entries on the MRE website free of any obligations to an individual entrant or parent company.
ENTRY CATEGORIES
2025 MRE Journalism Contest
TEXT MEDIA 
Text published in traditional print or online.
Division 1 – Newsrooms with more than 20 reporters.
Division 2 – Newsrooms with fewer than 20 reporters.
Breaking News Reporting | Division 1 / Division 2
- Best work exemplifying breaking coverage of a major news event on deadline.
- Individual or team entry; single report or series; maximum four articles
Enterprise / Feature Reporting | Division 1 / Division 2
- Best work on a single topic containing numerous voices, creativity, sources of information/data or focused reporting that provides deeper context into a subject, in contrast to a typical news story.
- Individual or team entry; single report or series; maximum four articles
Investigative Reporting | Division 1 / Division 2
- Best work demonstrating in-depth, analytical skills, with information gathered over time, originality, use of public records, if they apply, and outcomes of the investigation.
- Individual or team entry; single report or series; maximum four articles
Commentary / Opinion | Division 1 / Division 2
- Best work by a columnist who writes about topics covering the military, national security, or homeland defense on a regular basis.
- Individual entry; five columns
AUDIO/VIDEO/VISUAL MEDIA
Content broadcast via television or radio or published online in audio, video, or visual platforms.
Division 1 – Coverage by a national or international outlet or network, including partnerships between local stations and networks, where the network has significant editorial input into a story or series.
Division 2 – Coverage by a local station, designed primarily for local or regional audience.
TV / Video News | Division 1 / Division 2
- Best news coverage on a single topic related to the military, veterans, or war.
- Individual or team entry; single report or series.
- Maximum edited length 15 minutes. Edits should be clearly marked.
TV / Video Documentary | Division 1 / Division 2
- Best documentary or docuseries designed around a single topic related to the military.
- Individual or team entry; single episode or series.
- Maximum edited length 30 minutes and edits should be clearly marked.
Radio News | Division 1 / Division 2
- Best radio news coverage on a single topic of interest related to the military, veterans, or war.
- Individual or team entry; single piece or series.
- Maximum edited length 15 minutes. Edits should be clearly marked.
Audio Documentary
- Best radio or podcast coverage on a topic related to the military, veterans, or war.
- Individual or team entry; single episode, series of episodes, or season.
- Maximum edited length 30 minutes and can include clearly audible edits.
Audio Talk Show or Interview
- Best radio or podcast coverage on a topic related to the military, veterans, or war.
- Individual or team entry; single episode, series of episodes, or season.
- Maximum edited length 30 minutes and edits should be clearly marked.
Photojournalism
- Best photography on a single topic related to the military, defense or veterans news or war coverage.
- Individual entry; single image or series of images; maximum five images.
STUDENT MEDIA PROJECT
Promising Journalist
- Best student package or project that expertly uses print or digital storytelling to inform its audience regarding a specific story or topic related to military, veterans, or war.
- Judges will consider the quality of the journalism, design, creative and appropriate uses of media, and the ways in which print, digital and mobile platforms are maximized to engage and inform audiences.
- Refer to media-specific categories for additional details.
ENTRY GUIDELINES
2025 MRE Journalism Contest
The information below is intended to assist you as you prepare your contest entry. Details are specific to categories. You may find it helpful to refer back to the Official Rules, as well.
TEXT MEDIA Get Organized
One entry may include up to four related articles (single or series) by the entering journalist in a category:
- Breaking News Reporting
- Enterprise/Feature Reporting
- Investigative Reporting
One entry may include up to five columns by the entering journalist with a Commentary/Opinion submission.
All text media entries should include a PDF document for each article submitted; the original URL of the article if published online; an optional submission link for online review by judges; the journalist’s biography; an optional journalist headshot; and an optional cover letter.
Submission Materials Needed
- PDF document for each article
- PDF must not contain ads or links to ads.
- Text only pdf is acceptable.
- Text with graphics is acceptable.
- Text must be clear, legible, and properly aligned on pages for easy reading.
- Original URL* for each article
- Please provide the original URL (web address) of article if originally published online.
- Link* for each article if also submitted for online review
- Please provide a link for each article if you are submitting the article for online review in addition to the pdf document. Link must be functional, valid, and accessible.
- Instructions to access article(s) behind a paywall must be provided and include needed login credentials.
- MRE must have unlimited access throughout the judging period to material for viewing. (E.G. Limit of 1 free article a month or limit of 3 free articles a month, etc. are not acceptable. Judges may need to review numerous times or refer back to article unencumbered.)
- Biography
- Please provide a 100-300 word biography for entering journalist or each team member appearing on the byline(s).
- Headshot image (jpg/png) optional
- Please provide a picture of entering journalist and each team member named in the byline(s).
- Cover letter (PDF) optional
- A brief cover letter may be included as it may be very helpful to the judges.
*NOTE: URL and submission link may or may not be the same depending on your situation.
You may find it helpful to refer back to the Official Rules, as well.
TV / VIDEO NEWS Get Organized
Journalist may submit either an Mp4 file for upload and review or a link for online submission review. The entry must meet the following requirements:
- Entry may not exceed 15 minutes in length.
- Entry may be edited for time.
- Edits should be clearly indicated by a tone or silence.
- Entry should include a cover letter.
Submission Materials Needed
- Mp4 File for upload
OR
- Link* to video for online submission review
- YouTube or Vimeo, for example, are acceptable.
- Link must be functional, valid, and accessible.
- If needed, login credentials must be supplied.
- MRE must have unlimited access throughout the judging period to material for viewing.
- Original URL* for online publication of video
- Please provide the original URL (web address) if originally published online.
- Transcript (PDF) optional
- If a transcript is available, upload it as a PDF file. Judges may find this helpful.
- Biography
- Please provide a 100-300 word biography for journalist or each team member credited on the byline(s).
- Headshot image (jpg/png) optional
- Please provide a picture of the journalist and each team member credited on the byline(s).
- Cover letter (PDF)
- A cover letter in pdf format should be submitted.
*NOTE: Link and original URL may or may not be the same depending on your situation.
You may find it helpful to refer back to the Official Rules, as well.
TV / VIDEO DOCUMENTARY Get Organized
Journalist may submit either an Mp4 file for upload and review or a link for online submission review. The entry must meet the following requirements:
- Entry may not exceed 30 minutes in length.
- Entry may be edited for time.
- Edits should be clearly indicated by a tone or silence.
- Entry should include a cover letter with a description of the scope of the coverage and its impact.
Submission Materials Needed
- Mp4 File for upload
OR
- Link* to video for online submission review
- YouTube or Vimeo, for example, are acceptable.
- Link must be functional, valid, and accessible.
- If needed, login credentials must be supplied.
- MRE must have unlimited access throughout the judging period to material for viewing.
- Original URL* for online publication of video
- Please provide the original publication URL (web address) if published online.
- Transcript(s) (PDF) optional
- If a transcript(s) is available, upload it as a PDF file. Judges may find this helpful.
- Biography
- Please provide a 100-300 word biography for journalist or each team member credited on the byline(s).
- Headshot image (jpg/png) optional
- Please provide a picture of the journalist and each team member credited on the byline(s).
- Cover letter (PDF)
- A cover letter in pdf format should be submitted.
*NOTE: Link and original URL may or may not be the same depending on your situation.
You may find it helpful to refer back to the Official Rules, as well.
RADIO NEWS Get Organized
Journalist may submit either an Mp3 file for upload and review or a link for online submission review. The entry must meet the following requirements:
- Entry may not exceed 15 minutes in length.
- Entry may be edited for time.
- Edits should be clearly indicated by a tone or silence.
- Entry should include a cover letter.
Submission Materials Needed
- Mp3 File for upload
OR
- Link* for submission review
- SoundCloud or YouTube, for example, are acceptable.
- Link must be functional, valid, and accessible.
- If needed, login credentials must be supplied.
- MRE must have unlimited access throughout the judging period to material for viewing.
- Original URL*
- Please provide the original publication URL (web address).
- Transcript(s) (PDF) optional
- If a transcript(s) is available, upload it as a PDF file. Judges may find this helpful.
- Biography
- Please provide a 100-300 word biography for journalist or each team member credited on the byline(s).
- Headshot image (jpg/png) optional
- Please provide a picture of the journalist and each team member credited on the byline(s).
- Cover letter (PDF)
- A cover letter in pdf format should be submitted.
*NOTE: Link and original URL may or may not be the same depending on your situation.
You may find it helpful to refer back to the Official Rules, as well.
AUDIO DOCUMENTARY Get Organized
Journalist may submit either an Mp3 file for upload and review or a link for online submission review. The entry must meet the following requirements:
- Entry may not exceed 30 minutes in length.
- Entry may be edited for time.
- Edits can include clearly audible edits.
- Entry should include a cover letter with a description of the podcast and credits for any sponsoring organization or names of individuals.
Submission Materials Needed
- Mp3 File for upload
OR
- Link* for submission review
- SoundCloud or YouTube, for example, are acceptable.
- Link must be functional, valid, and accessible.
- If needed, login credentials must be supplied.
- MRE must have unlimited access throughout the judging period to material for viewing.
- Original URL*
- Please provide the original publication URL (web address).
- Transcript(s) (PDF) optional
- If a transcript(s) is available, upload it as a PDF file. Judges may find this helpful.
- Biography
- Please provide a 100-300 word biography for journalist or each team member credited on the byline(s).
- Headshot image (jpg/png) optional
- Please provide a picture of the journalist and each team member credited on the byline(s).
- Cover letter (PDF)
- A cover letter in pdf format should be submitted.
*NOTE: Link and original URL may or may not be the same depending on your situation.
You may find it helpful to refer back to the Official Rules, as well.
AUDIO TALK SHOW OR INTERVIEW Get Organized
Journalist may submit either an Mp3 file for upload and review or a link for online submission review. The entry must meet the following requirements:
- Entry may not exceed 30 minutes in length.
- Entry may be edited for time.
- Edits can include clearly audible edits.
- Entry should include a cover letter with a description of the content and credits for any sponsoring organization or names of individuals.
Submission Materials Needed
- Mp3 File for upload
OR
- Link* for submission review
- SoundCloud or YouTube, for example, are acceptable.
- Link must be functional, valid, and accessible.
- If needed, login credentials must be supplied.
- MRE must have unlimited access throughout the judging period to material for viewing.
- Original URL*
- Please provide the original publication URL (web address).
- Transcript(s) (PDF) optional
- If a transcript(s) is available, upload it as a PDF file. Judges may find this helpful.
- Biography
- Please provide a 100-300 word biography for journalist or each team member credited on the byline(s).
- Headshot image (jpg/png) optional
- Please provide a picture of the journalist and each team member credited on the byline(s).
- Cover letter (PDF)
- A cover letter in pdf format should be submitted.
*NOTE: Link and original URL may or may not be the same depending on your situation.
You may find it helpful to refer back to the Official Rules, as well.
PHOTOJOURNALISM Get Organized
- Up to five images may be submitted as either a single or series entry.
- Images should be submitted in JPG format.
- Proof of publication should be submitted.
- Cover letter should be submitted.
Submission Materials Needed
- JPG image for each photograph.
- Publication Screenshot (PDF or JPG)
- A PDF file or screenshot(s) showing the print or online publication of the photograph(s), including the name of the publication, date, and URL.
- Original URL*
- Please provide the original URL (web address) where work originally appeared online.
- Link* for online submission review optional
- Please provide a link for each photograph if you would like it reviewed by the judges online in addition to viewing the uploaded image(s).
- Link must be functional, valid, and accessible.
- If needed, instructions to access link behind a paywall must be provided and include needed login credentials.
- MRE must have unlimited access throughout the judging period to material for viewing. (E.G. Limit of 1 free article a month or limit of 3 free articles a month, etc. are not acceptable. Judges may need to review numerous times or refer back to article unencumbered.)
- Biography
- Please provide a 100-300 word biography for entering photojournalist.
- Headshot image (jpg/png) optional
- Please provide a picture of entering photojournalist.
- Cover letter (PDF)
- A cover letter should be included.
*NOTE: URL and submission link may or may not be the same depending on your situation.
You may find it helpful to refer back to the Official Rules, as well.
STUDENT PROJECT Get Organized
Student Project Eligibility and Requirements
- To be eligible, the entire project must have been produced only by enrolled students receiving academic credit for the work being entered or must be work created for a student publication.
- Work produced for pay is not eligible for a student award (that is, freelance work, etc. Receipt of student aid is not a disqualifier).
- Work that was created by a student for credit but then made available to a commercial publication is allowed but should be explained in the entry.
Submission Materials Needed
Materials will be dependent upon the specific project. Please refer to the guidelines provided for contest categories to determine your needs.
You may find it helpful to refer back to the Official Rules, as well.