Millies give the public a unique chance to thank our personnel for their courage

OUR magnificent Millies are back and ready to salute the finest Armed Forces in the world.

Now in their eighth year, The Sun Military Awards — affectionately dubbed the Millies — will once again celebrate the bravest and best from the Army, RAF and Royal Navy.

And today we call on our army of readers to nominate heroes from the past year who have gone above and beyond for Queen and country.

Nominations are now open in all categories as we seek out the individuals, units and charities who deserve special recognition.

Winners from the past seven awards last night hailed the remarkable celebration and urged readers to nominate now.

Triple amputee Andy Reid, a former 3 Yorks Corporal, lost his limbs to a buried bomb in Sangin, in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, but has gone on to do a series of awe-inspiring charity endurance events and write an autobiography.

Andy, who won the Overcoming Adversity award in 2010, said: “The Millies launched me on to bigger and better things.

“It’s a massive boost to these young girls and guys, so get nominating, get behind anyone who has gone above and beyond.”

In 2012 Jamie Oliver presented the Support to the Armed Forces award to Nikki Scott for her charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers, which supports the children of Forces heroes killed in combat.

She said: “The Millies was the turning point for the charity because the awareness and coverage we got made a massive impact.

“This is just a chance to say thank you, so please nominate. It was one of the best nights of my life.”

Won-ders ... 2010's Andy Reid, 2012's Nikki Scott with Jamie Oliver and 2013's Josh Boggi

Midshipman Michelle Ping received the Best Reservist gong in 2011 after repeatedly saving lives as a frontline medic, once tending a wounded comrade on a rooftop under a hail of gunfire.

She said: “The Millies was absolutely bloody fabulous, from the moment you are nominated through to the night itself.

“So get out there and nominate. There’s so much going on that needs to be brought into the public eye and the Millies are a brilliant way to do that.”

Colonel Charlie Maconochie was commanding officer of 3 Rifles when they won the Best Unit award in 2012. He said: “We were very fortunate to be nominated and hugely proud and humbled to win.

“I encourage the public, families and veterans to nominate individuals and units because there’s a huge amount of really amazing acts still being undertaken by our soldiers and reservists, it’s absolutely right thay should be recognised.”

Bryn Parry, who co-founded Help for Heroes with his wife Emma in 2007, received the Support to the Armed Forces award at the first Millies in 2008.

Honour ... Bryn Parry Alpha-Edward Lloyd

Bryn said: “It was a great honour for Emma and me to receive a Millie on behalf of Help for Heroes when Prince Charles launched them in 2008.

“The Millies represent everything that Help for Heroes stands for, showing respect and support for those who risk their lives and limbs on our behalf.”

Triple amputee Josh Boggi was given the Overcoming Adversity award by Sir Bradley Wiggins in 2013.

He said: “Receiving a Millie was one of the most extraordinary moments of my life.”

With the end of British combat operations in Afghanistan a year ago, this year’s awards are set to be a more intimate bash, recognising what our Forces do across the globe besides frontline fighting.

This year nominations can be made in seven categories and there will also be two Judges’ Special

Recognition awards. So cast your eye over the categories on the right — and get nominating.

Saluting our services

By GENERAL SIR NICHOLAS HOUGHTON, Chief of the Defence Staff

Recognising courage ... Sir Nicholas Houghton PA:Press Association

COMBAT operations in Afghanistan may have ended last year but our soldiers, sailors and airmen remain active around the globe.

Whether fighting Ebola, attacking IS, rescuing migrants or protecting Baltic and British air space from aggression, they continue to keep us safe.

In a more dangerous and less predictable world we will increasingly rely on the service and sacrifice of our brave personnel, so the Millies give the British public a unique opportunity to express its thanks for their courage, selflessness and determination.

I very much look forward to seeing this year’s nominees – both individuals and units – receiving the recognition they so richly deserve.

Categories

Millies award

— MOST OUTSTANDING SOLDIER: Celebrating a soldier of any rank who has gone above and beyond in the line of duty at home or abroad.

— MOST OUTSTANDING SAILOR OR MARINE: Saluting a sailor of any rank who has shown exceptional service.

— MOST OUTSTANDING AIRMAN: For any airman or airwoman of any rank who has displayed exemplary service in the past year.

— BEST UNIT: For any unit from any of the three Forces for service worthy of special recognition.

— BEST RESERVIST: For the reservist of any branch of the Forces who has shown stand-out commitment to service in the past year.

— OVERCOMING ADVERSITY: Celebrating any serviceman or woman who has overcome adversity to thrive.

— SUPPORT TO THE ARMED FORCES: For a charity or organisation that has delivered crucial support to Our Boys and Girls.

— Nominate your hero below.

The time period when the outstanding behaviour must have occurred is from August 31, 2014 to September 1, 2015.