Satellite communication systems, high-bandwidth data links, and secure voice and data transmission capabilities are the cornerstone to providing critical connectivity when traditional terrestrial communication infrastructure are compromised or unavailable on the battlefield. High-Capacity Communications at Marine Corps Systems Command Communication…

On this episode, Morgan takes Equipping the Corps into the field for MADIS System Verification Testing, or SVT. Joining her is Maj Craig Warner, product manager for Future Weapon Systems.

Marine Recon units are the commander’s eyes and ears on the battlefield. From clandestine missions to intelligence gathering, they are a silent force ensuring military readiness. On this episode, Morgan chats with LtCol Jason Hibler the Concept Development Team 1 Lead within the Experiment Division at Marine Corps Warfighting Lab, or MCWL. The view…

We talk a lot about fielding equipment here on the podcast, but the command’s work doesn’t stop once equipment is in the hands of Marines. Things like maintenance, modernization, software updates, and technical support continue through the life of the equipment. And for some systems, included in that is 24/7 technical support provided by the Marine…

As the Marine Corps continues to modernize to meet Force Design goals, innovation is critical. Cue: Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratory, or STRL, designation for the Marine Corps Tactical Support Activity – which is enabling them to operate more like a warfare center. On this episode, Morgan dives into the STRL designation with two guests…

In acquisition, we often have to strike a balance between getting gear out quickly and abiding by federal contract regulations. However, in some cases our command is able to use specific contract vehicles to better meet the “speed of need.” On this episode, Morgan chats with Jack Cave, Division Head for Program Support. The views expressed in this …

Today is a very special day in Equipping the Corps history as Morgan welcomes our first ever return guest, Col. Tim Hough. Col. Hough is the program manager for Advanced Amphibious Assault, and he and his team are leading the development and fielding efforts for the Amphibious Combat Vehicle – the Corps’ next-generation vehicle designed to move Mar…

On this episode, Morgan sits down with Maj. Conor Stewart, Project Officer for the Individual Armor team here at SYSCOM. Ensuring the Marine Corps is a premiere fighting force starts with the individual Marine, from packs to body armor, Maj Stewart’s team is leading the way. The views expressed in this podcast reflect those of the speakers and do n…

Someone once said, “Seconds are hours on the battlefield – especially when it comes to the Low Altitude Air Defense community.” The Marine Air Defense Integrated System, or MADIS, is the Marine Corps’ newest asset in counter-unmanned aircraft systems operations and brings the Corps one step closer to air dominance.On this episode, Morgan chats with…

The Marine Corps is continuing to modernize and adapt for the future fight – with logistics playing a critical role. On this episode, Morgan sits down with Verne Ashby, Jr. the assistant program manager for Logistics supporting PM Infantry Weapons on the show! The views expressed in this podcast reflect those of the speakers and do not necessarily …

On today’s episode, Morgan chats with Master Sergeant Juan Lopez Jr., an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Project Officer. EOD supports Operating Forces by providing force protection to include locating, accessing, identifying, rendering safe, neutralizing, and destruction of foreign and domestic hazardous materials. The views expressed in this podcast …

On this episode, Morgan sits down with Maj Sean Docherty, a Product Manager working on tactical applications, software, and services modernization. Some of may think about your network at home, but have you considered Marines need network services in the field? If not, after today you will! The views expressed in this podcast reflect those of the s…

PM GBAD fields and sustains fully integrated ground to air defense solutions that detect, track, defend and defeat the enemies’ air threat that seek to harm or kill Marines and other high value assets. ON this episode, Morgan chats with Courtney Moore, a logistician for Light Marine Air-Defense Integrated System. The views expressed in this podcast…

On today’s episode, Morgan chats with Peggy Toth, the Program Manager for Logistics Integrated Information Solutions Marine Corps. For those who haven’t heard of LI2S-MC, they deliver and sustains Logistics Information Technology solutions to enable USMC Logistics operations across the enterprise. The views expressed in this podcast reflect those o…

On the battlefield, proper footwear can be just as important as a weapon. From running across the desert to jumping out of planes, Marines need adequate footwear to take them from point A to point B without injury. On today’s episode, Morgan chats with Todd Towles, program analyst for the Clothing and Equipment Team on boots. . The views expressed …

Today, I’m chatting with CWO3 Joseph DiGirolamo the project officer for our Digital Media Systems team. DMS provides Marine Corps communication professionals the ability to acquire, produce and disseminate VI and reprographic products in support of operational requirements and communication objectives. The views expressed in this podcast reflect th…

Today, we’re chatting with the Portfolio Manager for Command Element Systems, or as well call it ‘CES.’ We all know communication is paramount on the battlefield, and CES is the central hub for command, control, communications and intelligence equipment.The views expressed in this podcast reflect those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect…

If you’re a long-time listener to Equipping the Corps, you may remember just a year ago when I took the reins from the original host, Manny Pacheco. Today, we’re continuing that tradition as I pass the mic to our new Season 3 host, Ms. Morgan Blackstock. Morgan is a seasoned public affair professional and a certified social butterfly. While Morgan’…

Have you ever wondered how the Marine Corps determines how to integrate systems worn and carried by Marines? Cue, Gruntworks Squad Integration Facility. In recent years, the Marine Corps rifle squad has undergone modernization efforts to modify its size, armament, and equipment to increase lethality, expand capabilities, and achieve victory on new …

The Program Manager for Training Systems is Marine Corps Systems Command’s executive agent assigned to manage acquisition and life-cycle support of Marine Corps ground training systems, devices, and training support services. Behind the scenes, engineers, logisticians, project managers, and more are tasked with bringing emerging training system to …

The Marine Corps is currently mid-Force Design 2030 implementation and depending on where you sit: Active Duty, Reserve, Retired, a member of a sister service, curious taxpayer, or one of our many Allies/Partners; you are aware of some of the paradigm-shifting changes. Much of the information provided to these audiences is post-decisional. The rigo…

Many of us are familiar with the phrase ‘eyes on the sky.’ Well, Program Manager Air Command Control and Sensor Netting also known as PM AC2SN is critical to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force mission success. PM AC2SN acts as the central agent for the research, development, production, deployment, and life cycle management of Aviation Command and Co…

The Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity or MCTSSA, provides 24/7 global technical support for command, control, computer, communications, cyber, and intelligence (C5I) systems; and conducts engineering, testing and evaluation, and supports experimentation on C5I systems and amphibious platforms in order to inform acquisition decisions an…

Have you ever wondered how we keep our gear and equipment in the fight for the long haul? About 25 years ago, the Marine Corps established the Corrosion Prevention and Control program to extendthe useful life of all Marine Corps tactical ground and ground supportequipment. From bolts to vehicles, CPAC is attacking the Corps’ corrosion problem with …

Combat Development and Integration, or CD&I, is the institutional and intellectual epicenter for the evolution of the Marine Corps. They assess the environment, develop and validate concepts, identify capabilities, and develop solutions to ensure Marine Corps operating forces have the necessary capabilities to remain the world’s foremost expedition…

Mobility is key to survivability. The Marine Corps’ Light Tactical Vehicle Program has over 20,000 pieces of rolling stock in our tactical vehicle fleet. From thejoint light tactical vehicle to the ultra-light tactical platform, the Corps’ LTV program is constantly evolving as part of Force Design 2030. The program has a unique mission to divest, f…

When you think logistics, your brain may conjure up thoughts of a warehouse full of goods, or the delivery company who didn’t get you that important package in time. But in the world of acquisition, logistics is so much more. Acquisition logistics isn’t just getting equipment from Point A to Point B – SYSCOM’s logisticians have critical input to al…

Marines need a variety of equipment to ensure an unfair advantage, but one thing comes before everything else – food. The Shelters, Field Feeding and Containers, or S/FF/C, team acquires and sustains the Fleet Marine Force with tents, containerized maintenance shelters, cargo containers, and our topic today – field feeding equipment. Field feeding …

Have you ever wanted a better view of the air on the battlefield? Well, Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar has entered the chat. G/ATOR multi-mission air surveillance system provides 360-degree coverage. As an ACAT I program, this system resides within Program Executive Officer Land Systems under Program Manager G/ATOR. PM G/ATOR delivers the G/ATOR, a…

Equipping a Marine doesn’tonly mean gear. Marines need grit, resilience and above all else: paperwork.Let’s be honest, paperwork is at the heart of any government or militaryorganization, and ensuring a Marine has their records and documentation in orderis critical to their career and mission success. Admin officers are often theunsung heroes of a …

The Defense Innovation Unit, or DIU, was established toaccelerate the adoption of commercial technology throughout the U.S. militaryto ensure our forces continue to have a technological advantage over ouradversaries and competitors. DIU partners with organizations across theDepartment of Defense, from the services and components to combatant comman…

If you open any internet browser and search “3D Printing,” you can find countless items, large and small, that went from idea to reality with the help of 3D printing technology. What you may not know is the Marine Corps also uses this technology to provide organic logistics, supply, and sustainment solutions to the Fleet. Marine Corps Systems Comma…

Special Operations Forces are historically known to have specialized training and innovative gear to carry out elite missions. They are the first to call for hostage situations, reconnaissance, surveillance and much more. Have you ever wondered how Special Ops have the gear needed to remain safe and lethal? Established in 1991, the Special Operatio…

When most people think of a Marine, they first think about lethality, but survivability is another critical component to success on the battlefield. The last thing a Marine wants to be without while forward-deployed is medical equipment and supplies. Every Marine loves their doc. From bandaging wounds to saving lives, Corpsmen are essential. The Ex…

In the Marine Corps, training isn’t something you do just once. Marines are continuously training and improving their skills, from physical fitness to rifle qualifications and beyond. They deepen their knowledge of military strategy through formal education programs and professional development. In addition, they train on how to use our gear proper…

Surviving and sustaining in an operational environment requires a logistical trail that will be ready and able to deliver the supplies and personnel needed to execute the mission. In short, it requires a fleet of capable haulers that can get the job done in any clime and place. There is no better example of that than the medium and heavy haulers th…

Have you ever wondered how we test gear before it is fielded to Marines? Testing and evaluation is essential for Marine Corps leadership to make independent, objective and defensible acquisition decisions. One organization is tasked with ensuring this is possible - the Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation Activity, also known as MCOTEA. MCO…

The 2022 National Defense Strategy emphasizes that international partnerships and alliances remain a priority. In a time where we must continuously adapt, one thing remains true - building an unmatched international network of allies and partners makes us stronger.Marine Corps Systems Command works to ensure we develop warfighting capabilities with…

Force Design 2030 guidance emphasizes the need for "resilient communication architectures capable of closing kill chains in austere environments." With that comes the need to equip our Marines with the communications equipment to meet that mission. Communication and information systems, such as ground radios, are critical to providing Marines relia…

Have you ever wondered how Marines who might be operating out in the middle of nowhere have access to fuel and clean drinking water? These two resources are critical to sustaining our Marines in any environment. From fueling ourbodies to powering our vehicles, clean water and fuel are vital to the survivability of our forces. Current and future ope…

From the first Marines at Tun Tavern to today’s modern force, one thing helps the world identify Marines in the field – their uniforms. As the nation’s only premier naval expeditionary force-in-readiness, the Marine Corps can be called upon to serve in any clime or place, and they need a selection of uniforms that can help them meet that mission. P…

Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. David Berger’s Planning Guidance underscores the need for enterprise IT engineering and the importance of meeting peer competitors on a complex future battlefield. This future environment requires a unified network in which Marines can quickly transmit data for command and control purposes. Cue Technical Manageme…

On this bonus episode, Manny introduces Equipping the Corps’ new host, Tripp Elliott. Tripp is Marine Corps Systems Command’s Head of Command Safety. His charismatic, dedicated and his fun demeanor make him a ‘trip’ to work with. To learn more about Tripp, make sure to check out Episode 23, MCSC’s Command Safety Office with Tripp Elliott. The views…

Living in a world where the threat is constantly evolving and changing is challenging. Finding the technology and capabilities to meet and defeat those threats in a timely manner can sometimes prove twice as daunting. But for one team at Program Executive Office Land Systems, those challenges do not deter them, but rather energizes and drives them …

The Force Design 2030 update released in May emphasized that the Corps must continue to develop concepts for resilient logistics webs in a contested environment with multiple options for support, to include distribution networks, and multi-domain delivery methods. Marine Corps Systems Command’s Logistics Combat Element Systems Portfolio provides an…

The Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory or MCWL, is tasked by the Commandant to identify future challenges and opportunities, develop warfighting concepts, and comprehensively explore options available to the warfighter, in order to inform the combat development process to meet the challenges of the future operating environment. In more simplistic …

Marine Corps Systems Command is responsible for a lot of high-value gear, but our people remain our most valuable asset. One office at Marine Corps Systems Command is tasked with the great responsibility of ensuring our Marines are safe and preventable mishaps are eliminated throughout the acquisition process— the Command Safety Office. The Command…

On June 9, Marine Corps Systems Command welcomed a new Commander, BGen David Walsh. He’s an aviator by trade with a wealth of acquisition knowledge including time serving as the USMC Light/Attack Helicopters assistant program manager for systems engineering for the Marine Aviation Detachment at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. During tha…

Marine Corps Systems Command collaborated with Marine Corps Recruiting Command to develop the Marine Corps Recruiting Information Support System, also known as MCRISS. This system has been vital in streamlining recruiting operations, enabling the command and control of systematic recruiting operations across all distributed locations from coast-to-…

Engineers are critical to the design, development, testing and fielding of systems and gear supporting our Marines. Chemical, software, systems, electrical, mechanical - all types of engineers make up the SYSCOM team to ensure our Marines have the gear they need to succeed and win in the battlefields of today and tomorrow. Unknowingly, many of thos…