R 201459Z DEC 16
MARADMIN 667/16
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC CDI//
SUBJ/COMMANDANTS INNOVATION CHALLENGE RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT//
REF/A/MARADMIN 481/16//
AMPN/REF A IS MARADMIN 481/16, INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE COMMANDANTS INNOVATION CHALLENGE.//
POC/MAJ ZINNI, ANTHONY/MCWL, TEL: 703-784-4542/EMAIL: ANTHONY.ZINNI(AT)USMC.MIL MCWL TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE SCREENING OFFICER, EMAIL: FUTURES(UNDERSCORE)DIRECTORATE(UNDERSCORE)FTO(AT)USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Congratulations to the winners of the first Commandants Innovation Challenge.  The Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory/Futures Directorate (MCWL/FD) received 129 innovative ideas that were submitted by Marines, Sailors, and Government civilians across the Marine Corps.  The Deputy Commandant, Combat Development and Integration (DC CDI) and members of the MCWL/FD were extremely impressed by the imagination and ingenuity of all submissions.  Each participant will receive recognition for their efforts.
2.  Following this initial notification, challenge winners will be contacted by the MCWL/FD to discuss the way ahead for implementing their innovative idea.  During this initial meeting, the winners idea will be refined and a plan will be developed for the challenge winner to travel and assist in the development of their idea.  Upon completion of prototype development, the MCWL/FD will seek out potential experimentation opportunities for the challenge winners unit.  The MCWL/FD will collect experiment results and work with the appropriate HQMC stakeholders for potential transition and implementation of the idea.  Furthermore, challenge winners will be invited to Quantico, Virginia where they will be personally recognized by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, DC CDI, and CG MCWL/FD.
3.  Semi-finalists who are recognized in this message deserve special recognition for their challenge submissions.  Their ideas have been carefully considered by the MCWL/FD for possible future development and implementation.  Although semi-finalists are not considered winners of this challenge, they may be consulted on their project efforts to further mature their ideas.
4.  Challenge winners/finalists:
Name                  Rank  Idea Title                 Unit
Waldron, Thomas L.    Maj   Autonomous Hydrographic    MCIA
                            Coastal Survey
Urbanski, Aaron J.    LCpl  Autonomous Hydrographic    2D INT BN
                            Coastal Survey
Luger, Christopher D. Capt  Follow-me UAS For Troop    VMU-1
                            Overwatch
Choi, Warren W.       1stLt Follow-me UAS For Troop    VMU-1
                            Overwatch
Goedecke, Kenneth K.  LtCol Alternative Antenna        I AND I 5/14
                            Platforms
Morse, Matthew M.     Capt  Automating Convoy Load     MCLOG
                            Planning
5.  Challenge semi-finalists:
Name                  Rank  Idea Title           Unit
Schroeder, Ted W.     Maj   High-speed Amphibious UGV  4TH MARDIV
Selby, William C.     Capt  SUAS For Hazardous Indoor  MARFORCYBER
                            Environments  
Webb, Abraham P.      Capt  Automated LP/OP         3D Marines
Pactores, Romeo, M.   SSgt  Automatic Pop-up Camo      4TH Recon Bn
                            Netting
6.  Travel funding for Innovation Challenge winners will be provided by DC CDI.
7.  Submissions not selected by the MCWL/FD will be sent to the appropriate Headquarters Marine Corps agencies for further consideration.
8.  The next CMC Innovation Challenge will be sponsored by TECOM and announced in February 2017.  The challenge topic will emphasize improved decision-making training and education capabilities, which include, but are not limited to education opportunities, instructing methodologies, and learning efficiency.
9.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General Robert S. Walsh, Deputy Commandant Combat Development and Integration.//