Category: US Marines

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Marine Corps Passes FY24 Financial Audit

Source: United States Marines

WASHINGTON, D.C. —

For the second year in a row, independent auditors verified that the Marine Corps’ financial records are materially accurate, complete, and compliant with federal regulations and issued an unmodified opinion for Fiscal Year 2024.

This repeat achievement reinforces the service’s reputation for accountability, discipline, and leadership; and this is only the second time such success has been achieved for a military service in Department of Defense history and twice attributed to the Marines.

The findings produced by the audit help the service to more efficiently and accurately plan, program, budget, and spend funds appropriated by Congress.

The Marine Corps’ audit process enabled accurate global tracking and reporting of financial transactions, inventory of facilities, equipment and assets, and accounting for taxpayer dollars spent during the last fiscal year. The auditors also tested the Marines Corps’ network, key business systems, and internal controls.

“I am immensely proud of this historic achievement and the hard work done by the thousands of Marines, sailors, and civilians across the Marine Corps that made this happen,” said Gen. Eric M. Smith, Commandant of the Marine Corps. “Their efforts tell the American people that a dollar invested in the Marine Corps is a dollar well spent. Passing a second annual audit demonstrates our commitment to being good stewards of our nation’s tax dollars and is part of how we distinguish ourselves as a professional warfighting organization. Make no mistake, passing an audit makes us more ready to fight when our nation calls.”

Since becoming the first service to pass an annual financial audit, the Marine Corps took additional steps to stabilize its new accounting system and procedures. Independent public accountants contracted by the Department of Defense Inspector General audited all records. Financial management personnel also gained more hands-on experience, which set conditions for a smoother audit this year.

“The Marine Corps culture has always emphasized accountability to yourself, your fellow Marines, your unit, down to the lowest tactical levels,” said LtGen. James Adams III, Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources. “But financial reporting for $49 billion in financial assets requires a holistic view from the ground level up to the highest service levels. The audit process demonstrates Marines’ inherent integrity – opening up and illuminating potential audit mistakes and inventory miscounts across the entire chain of command. That can be an uncomfortable experience for Marine leaders of all ranks. Now magnify that across an entire service. By educating all Marines on the importance of accurate counts, and through our use of independent audit and inspection teams, we were able to gain an accurate accounting of the resources entrusted to the Corps.”

The auditor’s final report, enclosed in the Marine Corps’ Fiscal Year 2024 Agency Financial Report, highlights seven areas for the Marine Corps to improve upon, referred to as material weaknesses.

The Marine Corps will continue to drive to eliminate these weaknesses through systems improvement and internal controls. While doing this, the Corps will still prioritize the accurate counting and management of its global assets, a challenging task given the vast scope of its operations. By repeating and refining this process, the Corps aims to develop a more fluid and efficient enterprise resource planning system, ultimately positioning itself for long-term mission success and accountability.

The Agency Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2024 is available at: https://www.pandr.marines.mil/

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Deputy Commandant for Aviation Unveils 2025 Aviation Plan, Reinforcing Future Readiness and Technological Integration

Source: United States Marines

WASHINGTON, D.C. —

Headquarters Marine Corps Aviation released the 2025 Marine Corps Aviation Plan, outlining a strategic framework that balances responding to today’s crises with modernizing Marine Aviation to ensure the Corps is prepared for tomorrow’s fight. The plan focuses on key areas of transformation, including technological advancements, expeditionary mobility, sustainment, and total force integration. This plan is a roadmap to enhancing operational readiness and ensuring Marine Aviation remains a lethal force in support of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) throughout the spectrum from competition to conflict.

The Aviation Plan introduces Project Eagle, a modernization strategy that prioritizes Distributed Aviation Operations (DAO) and Decision-Centric Aviation Operations (DCAO) to maintain operational effectiveness in contested environments. By fully embracing cutting-edge technologies such as AI-driven decision-making software, autonomous systems, advanced digital command and control capabilities, unmanned systems, and manned-unmanned teaming, the Marine Corps will be better positioned to operate in increasingly complex and dynamic theaters of operation.

“We are committed to shaping a future aviation force that is ready, resilient, and capable of rapidly responding to emerging threats, wherever they may arise,” said Col. Derek Brannon, Branch Head for the Cunningham Group, Headquarters Marine Corps Aviation. “Project Eagle builds on the progress we’ve made, and it prepares us to embrace technological innovation while ensuring we can deliver combat power across all domains.”

The 2025 plan underscores additional key priorities, including:

  • Aviation Readiness:  Ensuring Marine Aviation remains poised to respond to any crisis at a moment’s notice, with the readiness to deploy rapidly and provide immediate support when the nation calls.

  • Enhanced Expeditionary Mobility: Strengthening the Marine Corps’ ability to operate from austere, distributed locations through the modernization of platforms like the MV-22B Osprey, CH-53K King Stallion, and KC-130J Hercules, ensuring agile mobility and support for maritime and littoral operations.

  • Modernizing Aviation Logistics: Modernizing sustainment practices to ensure readiness in contested environments through the creation of Maintenance Operations Centers, streamlined supply chain reforms, and enhanced aviation logistics packages. These innovations will better support DAO and MAGTF operations while improving sustainment across the force.

  • Marine Air Command and Control System (MACCS) Modernization: Transforming air command and control capabilities with advanced technologies like the TPS-80 radar and Ground-Based Air Defense Systems. The integration of regional air defense concepts will support Expeditionary Advance Base Operations (EABO) and enhance digital interoperability for joint and coalition operations.

  • Total Force Integration: Strengthening collaboration between active-duty and reserve forces, particularly through the integration of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, to enhance operational flexibility, sustainment, and warfighting readiness across the total force.

These advancements solidify Marine Aviation’s role as an indispensable force within the MAGTF, ensuring it remains agile, lethal, and fully integrated with the Joint Force, partners, and allies.

“Through continued modernization and an unwavering commitment to current readiness, Marine Aviation is prepared to support the MAGTF through competition to conflict,” said Lt. Gen. Bradford Gering, Deputy Commandant for Aviation. “The 2025 Aviation Plan demonstrates our resolute dedication to maintaining operational superiority and ensuring we are always ready to project force, wherever and whenever needed.”

As Marine Aviation transitions into a new era, the 2025 Aviation Plan is a bold declaration of the Corps’ commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and unmatched warfighting capability.

To learn more about the 2025 Marine Corps Aviation Plan: https://www.aviation.marines.mil/

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Marine Corps releases Talent Management Update, remains committed to empowering Marines while enhancing lethality

Source: United States Marines

QUANTICO, Va. —

The Marine Corps released the latest Talent Management update in support of Force Design, highlighting the continuous efforts to modernize and innovate its talent management systems, enhancing readiness and empowering Marines to thrive in a dynamic operational environment. Building on the foundation set by Talent Management 2030 and the Talent Management Campaign Plan 2023-2025, Manpower and Reserve Affairs (M&RA) achieved significant milestones in retaining, developing, and optimizing the force.

“We must invest in and retain talent across the Marine Corps to support Force Design, increase our lethality, and enhance the Corps’ warfighting capabilities,” said Lt. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte, Deputy Commandant of Manpower & Reserve Affairs and Talent Management Officer of the Marine Corps. 

Talent Management initiatives and developments are nested within the following four mutually supporting lines of effort (LOE):
 

  • LOE 1: Rebalance Recruiting and Retention

  • LOE 2: Optimize the Employment of Talent

  • LOE 3: Multiple Pathways to Career Success

  • LOE 4: Modernize Talent Management Digital Tools

Key updates include:

Retention and Incentives: The Marine Corps is leading the way in retention efforts:

The Commandant’s Retention Program (CRP) surpassed retention goals for fiscal years 2023 and 2024, empowering high-performing Marines with greater career control through initiatives like early duty station preferences and streamlined reenlistment processes. The Marine Corps revolutionized its retention models by expanding the reenlistment window for Marines across multiple fiscal years. In fiscal year 2025, active component Marines across the fiscal year 2024 to fiscal year 2027 cohort will be able to reenlist simultaneously. The expansion offers multiple-year reenlistment cohorts, creating a larger pool of eligible Marines while providing additional time for thoughtful reenlistment decisions.

Career Opportunities, Pathways, and Promotions: Maximizing career growth remains a priority:

New initiatives, including the Small Unit Leader Initiative (SULI) and alternate selection pilot programs, focus on optimizing military occupational specialty health and enhancing professional military education opportunities. Transition support programs such as the Direct Affiliation Program and Return to Active-Duty Program ensure Marines can ‘Stay Marine’ across active and reserve components, enabling a seamless continuation of service.

Digital Modernization: The Marine Corps is leveraging advanced technology to enhance efficiency:

Platforms like the Talent Management Engagement Platform and Total Force Retention System 2.0 streamline processes for assignments, career management, and reenlistments – while increasing transparency and enhancing collaboration across the force.

Civilian Workforce Efficiency: The Marine Corps recognizes the critical role of the civilian workforce:

Standardizing recruitment processes and position descriptions to increase transparency and efficiency. Expanding commanders’ authority over overseas assignments to ensure equitable opportunities and maintain critical staffing levels.

The Marine Corps’ success on emerging battlefields and across multiple domains depends on its people. Talent management optimizes the talent that the service recruits and retains to remain the world’s premier warfighting organization. The Marine Corps accomplishes this while continuing to uphold its high standards and warfighting ethos.

Talent Management Update: November 2024 can be obtained at: https://www.manpower.marines.mil/Talent-Management/

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MARINE BARRACKS WASHINGTON TO HOST ENLISTED-LED EVENING PARADE

Source: United States Marines

WASHINGTON, D.C. —

Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., will host a distinguished event this Friday, July 26: the enlisted-led Evening Parade. Located at the intersection of 8th & I Streets in southeast Washington, D.C., the Barracks is renowned for its pivotal roles in ceremonial functions and security operations within the nation’s capital. This unique Evening Parade, featuring all enlisted Marines and honoring Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer, highlights the Corps’ trust in its noncommissioned officers to execute with precision and professionalism.

The Marines of Marine Barracks Washington train to exceptional standards of professionalism and precision to honorably represent the Marines stationed and deployed throughout the world at parades, ceremonies, and funerals. This week’s Evening Parade is unique because it features all enlisted Marines – especially staff noncommissioned officers – who take charge and fill every billet, including billets characteristically held by officers.

“The enlisted-led Evening Parade exemplifies the Corps’ trust in its SNCOs and NCOs to accomplish the mission,” explained Sgt. Maj. Jimmy F. Richard Jr., sergeant major of Marine Barracks Washington and native of Fontana, California. “It provides the opportunity to showcase the professionalism, capabilities, discipline, and spirit of our enlisted Marines.”

The present-day Evening Parade, which was first conducted on July 5, 1957, features performances by “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, “The Commandant’s Own” United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps, and the esteemed United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon.

“The enlisted-led Evening Parade is a proud tradition highlighting staff noncommissioned officers’ critical role in the Marine Corps,” added Staff Sgt. Anthony Havens, platoon sergeant of the Silent Drill Platoon and native of West Liberty, Kentucky. “The ‘Next Marine Up’ mentality, where noncommissioned officers pick up whatever the engagement may be and continue to execute to ensure a win, is embodied in this parade.”

Capt. Gregory Jones, Silent Drill platoon commander, emphasized the importance of Staff Sgt. Havens’ role: “As an infantry unit leader, Staff Sgt. Havens oversees the training and discipline of the Silent Drill Platoon focusing on both ceremonial excellence and infantry skills required of all Marines. As the senior enlisted advisor to the platoon commander, he advises me on the proper employment of the platoon while simultaneously supervising the health and wellness of all the Marines under his charge.”

Richard elaborated on the role of staff noncommissioned officers: “Staff noncommissioned officers are the connective tissue that help keep the organization running smoothly. They are keepers of customs, courtesies, and tradition. Their experience and commitment to the organization, and to those they serve enable them to be the premier mentors and teachers. They are the vital link between officers and junior enlisted.”

Richard is currently serving his second tour at Marine Barracks Washington and provides a unique perspective on the enlisted-led Evening Parade. During his initial assignment at the “Oldest Post of the Corps” he served as the first sergeant for Alpha Company.

“During my first tour, my role in the enlisted-led Evening Parade was to perform my duties in a manner that proudly represents the enlisted Marine,” added Richard. “My commitment to excellence and mission success existed however I lacked greater perspective. Now, as the MBW Sergeant Major, my level of engagement, support, and dedication both internal and external to the unit must be exceptional. I now have a greater responsibility to the Corps and to the public to ensure that they see that the enlisted Marine today is just as good as those outstanding Marines of the past.”

Join Marine Barracks Washington for the parade on July 26 at 8:45 p.m. to witness this extraordinary event and honor the commitment and courage of United States Marines.

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SECNAV Del Toro Reflects on Three Years in Office at the Future Warfighting Symposium

Source: United States Marines

NEWPORT, Rhode Island —

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro delivered remarks at the Future Warfighting Symposium at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., Aug. 8.

Secretary Del Toro addressed new Naval War College (NWC) students, faculty, and staff on the eve of his third anniversary in office.

“To remain competitive in today’s age of conflict, we must leverage every advantage available to us,” said Secretary Del Toro. “We need you, our warrior scholars, at the tip of the spear, because we face existential threats and challenges in every corner of the globe.”

This year’s theme of “Navigating the Future: A Summit of Geopolitical Risks” aligns with Secretary Del Toro’s enduring priorities to strengthen maritime dominance, build a culture of warfighting excellence, and enhance strategic partnerships.

In his remarks, Secretary Del Toro reflected on his three years in office, including his call for a new Maritime Statecraft in September 2023.

“Maritime Statecraft encompasses not only naval diplomacy, but a national, whole-of government effort to build comprehensive U.S. and allied maritime power, both commercial and naval,” said Secretary Del Toro. “Maritime Statecraft depends not only on a strong Navy and Marine Corps, but also active engagement in areas of economic development, trade, education, science, innovation, and climate diplomacy to enable us to compete on a global scale.”

Secretary Del Toro also discussed his continued efforts alongside government and shipbuilding industry leaders to solve common issues and overall improvements. He closed his remarks at the event by reiterating that the future of warfighting is here.

“As a Department of the Navy, we must be ready to fight and prevail in this new era of conflict and technology,” said Secretary Del Toro. “I call on each of you to continue pushing the envelope and to innovate at the speed of relevancy to ensure our competitive edge over our adversaries.”

Secretary Del Toro also attended the portrait unveiling at the Naval War College of Professor John Hattendorf.

“Professor Hattendorf, sir, your passion for history and love for education has transformed so many lives. Our Navy, our Nation, and indeed our world are better off because of your service to others, and we are proud to be a part of your enduring legacy,” said Secretary Del Toro. “May this portrait forever serve as a reminder to future generations of Naval War College students of your dedication to this college, your relentless pursuit of knowledge, and the thousands of lives you have influenced.”

Professor John B. Hattendorf is the Ernest J. King Professor Emeritus of Maritime History, a chair he occupied at the U.S. Naval War College from 1984 to 2016.

Click HERE to read Secretary Del Toro’s full remarks at the Future Warfighting Symposium.

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Marine Corps launches Barracks Digital Maintenance Request System Service-Wide

Source: United States Marines

WASHINGTON, D.C. —

The Marine Corps launched and has fully implemented QSRMax, which is the service’s main effort to upgrade its maintenance request system from analog to digital.

QSRMax simplifies the process for submitting maintenance requests by empowering Marines with a convenient means to submit barracks maintenance support requests directly to the USMCMax system through a QR code on their phone.

QSRMax empowers Marines to track their maintenance support requests as they progress through the system in real time. QSRMax allows users to submit maintenance requests directly to barracks and building managers, which then can be relayed to the base. This restructuring increases transparency and accountability while enhancing communication between Marines and maintenance personnel.

These maintenance requests also have strategic level visibility, which allows for holistic data analysis across the service. Here is how QSR Max works:

  1. Marine identifies a problem.

  2. Marine scans QR code on QSRMax and creates an account if one is not already established.

  3. Marine creates a facilities maintenance request within QSRMax, followed by the creation of a USMCmax service request if approved.

  4. Request is received and addressed within the QSRMax portal by the designated barracks manager.

  5. Barracks manager determines level of support needed to address the requirement and updates the request in the system.

  6. If needed, the request goes to base via work order request.

  7. Once the maintenance request is completed, the assigned agency reports it complete in the QSRMax system.

The introduction of QSRMax marks a new chapter in facilities maintenance within the Marine Corps, characterized by efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness.

The following link allows direct access to the QSRMax website: https://usmcmax.usmc.mil/qsrmax

Learn more about Barracks 2030, the service’s vision to improve quality of life in unaccompanied housing, by visiting www.mcicom.marines.mil.

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Funeral details for the late 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Alfred M. Gray Jr.

Source: United States Marines

On Monday, July 29, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., funeral services will be held at the Fort Myer Memorial Chapel for the 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Alfred M. Gray Jr., and his wife, Mrs. Janice Gray. Immediately following funeral services, graveside full military honors will occur at Arlington National Cemetery to lay General and Mrs. Gray to rest.

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Marine Corps publishes Marine Corps Warfighting Publication 8-10

Source: United States Marines

HEADQUARTERS, U.S. MARINE CORPS —

The Marine Corps published its latest information doctrine publication Marine Corps Warfighting Publication 8-10, Information in Marine Corps Operations, March 14, 2024.

The release of MCWP 8-10, Information in Marine Corps Operations marks the Marine Corps’ second information doctrine publication, expanding upon the tenets of Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication 8, Information.

Deputy Commandant for Information developed the warfighting publication in coordination with Doctrine Branch, Policy and Standards Division, Training and Education Command.

The purpose of MCWP 8-10, Information in Marine Corps Operations is complementary guidance to the MCDP 8, Information, providing Marines at all echelons a practical reference to leverage the power of information to gain military advantages. MCWP 8-10 is written within the context of Force Design 2030: threat-informed, concept-based and accountable to a campaign of learning.

MCWP 8-10, Information in Marine Corps Operations is comprised of five chapters describing; Information Fundamentals, The Means and Methods for Conducting Information in Marine Corps Operations, Information Planning, Command and Control of Information Activities, and Measuring Information Effectiveness and Performance. The content of the chapters contributes to the reader’s understanding of the activities required to plan, conduct, command and control, and assess activities that support the Marine Corps Information Warfighting Function.

“Information is a function applicable to any type of unit, operating in any domain, on any point of the competition continuum,” stated Eric Schaner Deputy Division Director, Information Plans and Strategy Division, DC I.

Information regarding the MCDP 8 and the MCWP 8-10 can be found at: https://www.information.marines.mil/MCDP8/

The electronic copy of MCWP 8-10 can be found at:
https://www.marines.mil/News/Publications/MCPEL/Electronic-Library-Display/Article/3712860/mcwp-8-10/

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Marine Corps XQ-58A Valkyrie completes second successful flight

Source: United States Marines

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. —

The Marine Corps’ XQ-58A Valkyrie, a highly autonomous, low-cost tactical unmanned air vehicle, successfully completed its second test flight February 23, 2024 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

The XQ-58A provides the Marine Corps with a testbed platform for developing technologies and new concepts in support of the Marine Air Ground Task Force, such as autonomous flight and unmanned teaming with crewed aircraft. The Marine Corps’ continued experimentation with the XQ-58 is sponsored under the Department of Defense’s Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve program, which accelerates the delivery of capabilities to the joint force.

Today’s successful flight is a key milestone in implementing Project Eagle, the service’s aviation modernization strategy in support of broader Force Design modernization efforts. The XQ-58A and other Project Eagle research and experimentation platforms will inform capabilities needed in future conflicts out to 2040.

The Marine Corps Warfighting Lab and the Deputy Commandant for Aviation’s Cunningham Group, an internal working group responsible for planning and implementing Project Eagle, played an instrumental role in coordinating across the Department of Defense for support for the flight.

“The future battlespace demands new aviation platforms that embrace the austere environment and bring the fight to the enemy at a place of our choosing,” said Lt. Col. Bradley Buick, future capabilities officer for the Cunningham Group.

This joint collaboration was supported by the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering; the U.S. Air Force’s 40th Flight Test Squadron; the U.S. Air Force’s 96th Test Wing; the Naval Air Systems Command; and the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division’s AIRWorks. This broad team facilitated ongoing research, development, test, and evaluation for the aircraft for its first two flights.

“Working alongside our naval and joint partners is a testament to joint innovation as Marine aviation adapts and evolves to the changing character of conflict,” said Lt. Col. Gavin Robillard, lead aviation strategy and plans officer for the Cunningham Group. “Aligning these test flights with Project Eagle informs future support to the Marine Air Ground Task Force, which guides the foundation for the next Marine Aviation Plan.”

Future test flights of the Marine Corps XQ-58A Valkyrie play an integral role in the Marine Corps’ efforts to modernize and enhance capabilities in a rapidly evolving security environment. The XQ-58A has a total of six planned test flights which will evaluate the effectiveness of autonomous electronic support to crewed platforms like the USMC F-35B Lightning II and the potential for AI-enabled platforms to augment combat air patrols. The XQ-58A is envisioned to provide capability to the Marine Air Ground Task Force that ranges from electronic warfare support to delivering or supporting lethal fires and kill chains – key contributions to other service-level research and development programs such as the Penetrating Affordable Autonomous Collaborative Killer Portfolio.

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Marine Corps orders environmental, health, and safety inspections of all service barracks

Source: United States Marines

PENTAGON —

Effective immediately, Marine Corps Installations Command will conduct an environmental, health, and safety inspection of all Marine Corps barracks to ensure service compliance with its commitment to its residents to provide a safe, secure, clean, and consistent living standard across the unaccompanied housing enterprise.

Marine Corps Installations Command has directed Installation Commanders to assign an E-7 or above active-duty service member or unaccompanied housing civilian equivalent outside of the chain of command to conduct the inspection, which are slated to be completed no later than March 15, 2024.

“This effort allows us to get a one-time, complete assessment of the inventory, registered in the Enterprise Military Housing system as a baseline for analysis,” said Maj. Gen. David Maxwell, MCICOM Commander. “The benefit as we transition to professional management will be that we have a point of reference for the condition of each barracks. This will enable our senior leaders to understand the totality of issues regarding their facility and get to quickly solving their problems.”

Installations commanders will use MARADMIN 289/23 Unaccompanied Housing Guarantees and Responsibilities and DoD Manual 4165.63-M DoD Housing Management Manual to ensure compliance with the Marine Corps’ commitment to its Barracks.