The Marine Corps VIEC awards program is administered by HQMC Communication Directorate (CD) and the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association (USMCCCA) and Foundation.  The Marine Corps VIEC program is used to select the first place winners who will compete in the Defense Media Awards program.

The program is open to second lieutenants to captains and privates to staff sergeants, to include reserve Marines on active duty, reserve Marines attending regular drills, and members of mobilization training units for Communication Strategy and Operations, as well as any Government Service (GS) civilians assigned to COMMSTRAT units.  All entrants must be officially engaged in the production of materials for the Marine Corps.