R 171240Z SEP 20
MARADMIN 533/20
MSGID/GENADMIN/USMTF, 2007/CMC WASHINGTON DC PPO (UC)/F002//
SUBJ/FY21 GROUND COMBAT ELEMENT COMMANDERS COURSE//
REF/A/MSGID/CMC WASHINGTON DC//032105ZAUG20//
REF/B/MSGID/ CMC WASHINGTON DC/042100ZAUG20//
POC/MCTOG/JOHNL DALBY/LTCOL/OPSO MCTOG/TEL: (760) 830-5967/EMAIL: JOHN.DALBY@USMC.MIL//
POC/MCTOG/JOHN WHITING/CIV/ASSISTANT OPSO MCTOG/TEL: (760) 830-8989/EMAIL: JOHN.WHITING@USMC.MIL//
POC/MCTOG/CAROLINA VANMEERBEEK/CIV/SECURITY SPECIALIST/TEL: (760) 830-5796/EMAIL: CAROLINA.VANMEERBEEK@USMC.MIL//
POC/PPO/NATE WILLIS/LTCOL/POG PPO/TEL: (703) 692-4494/EMAIL: NATHAN.WILLIS@USMC.MIL//
NARR/REF A IS MARADMIN 446/20, FY21 COL COMMAND SCREENING BOARD RESULTS. REF B IS MARADIN 448/20, FY21 LTCOL COMMAND SCREENING BOARD RESULTS//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Situation. During the past three years, the Ground Combat Element (GCE) has informally conducted a series of GCE Commanders Courses (GCECC). These courses were well received, but not yet formalized on a reoccurring basis or in subject matter. Currently, the Commandant of the Marine Corps Combined Commandership Course educates command teams on the fundamental authorities, responsibilities, programs and practices that contribute to a successful command tour in order to ensure they are fully prepared to meet the unique challenges and demands of command. However, given the complexities of today's operational challenges, coupled with the dynamic influence of rapidly changing technologies, there is a need to provide GCE Commanders with GCE specific training in order to enhance their effectiveness in command. In November 2017, the Ground Board endorsed the formalization of a three-day Ground Combat Element Commanders Course and requested Marine Corps Tactics and Operations Group (MCTOG) facilitate the development and delivery of the GCECC.
2. Mission. Execute a three-day operationally focused command preparation course to better ready GCE Commanders to lead, train, and tactically employ their Battalions and Regiments in the context of maneuver warfare, in support of the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF).
3. Execution.
3.a. Commanders Intent.
3.a.1. Purpose. To enhance GCE Commanders readiness to command in today’s complex operating environment.
3.a.2. Method. The GCECC will be a highly focused, high-payoff engagement designed to prepare GCE Commanders for the biggest challenges of their careers. The course is educationally unique and seeks to leverage and expand upon a careers worth of training, education, and experience. This experiential learning approach of declarative knowledge, sense making, and problem solving will further develop the adaptive capacity in Commanders.
3.a.3. Endstate. GCE Commanders are better prepared to tactically employ, train, and lead their command to support the MAGTF within the construct of Marine operating concepts.
3.b. Concept of Operations. MCTOG conducts the course at Marine Air Ground Combat Center twice per fiscal year IOT afford the opportunity for all FY21 O-5 and O-6 Commanders slated for GCE commands to attend prior to or within the first six months of assuming command.
3.c. Coordinating instructions.
3.c.1. Eligibility. GCE Command slated Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels, and Lieutenant Colonel selects on the FY21 command slating (per the refs).
3.c.2. FY21 course dates.
3.c.2.a. MCTOG executes GCE Commanders Course 1-21, 8-10 December 2020.
3.c.2.b. MCTOG executes GCE Commanders Course 2-21, 9-11 March 2021.
3.c.3. Registration. Registration is hosted by MCTOG via email to MCTOG POC noted in this message.
3.c.3.a. Registration deadline for GCE Commanders Course 1-21 is 2 November, 2020.
3.c.3.b. Registration deadline for GCE Commanders Course 2-21 is 1 February, 2021.
3.c.4. MCTOG will publish a detailed GCE Commanders Course 1-21 message that outlines the
schedule and administration and logistics ISO the course NLT 30 October, 2020.
3.c.5. MCTOG will publish a detailed GCE Commanders Course 2-21 message that outlines the schedule and administration and logistics ISO the course NLT 6 January, 2021.
4. Admin and Logistics
4.a. Minimum clearance is SECRET. Send clearance info via JPAS through your local security manager to SMO code: M30016 POC: Ms. Carolina Vanmeerbeek.
4.b. Each attendee arranges their own billeting. If government lodging cannot be obtained attendees must ensure they get a letter of non-availability. Lodging reservations can be made at:
- Primary: Road Runner Inn (760) 830-6642
- Secondary: Sleepy Tortoise Lodge (760) 830-6573
- Holiday Inn Express: (760) 361-4009
- Best Western: (760) 367-9141
- Fairfield Inn: (760) 361-5000
4.c. Funding.
4.c.1. Course attendance is unit funded.
4.c.2. Departure flights should be scheduled for the day after the last scheduled training event supported.
4.c.3. Support personnel funded by MCTOG. Detailed information for support personnel will
be published via separate correspondence for each course.
4.d. Uniform: Seasonal digital MARPAT uniform.
5. Command and Signal
5.a. Command relationships. Commanding Officer, MCTOG serves as on scene Commander.
5.b. Signals. Questions or comments regarding this message are directed to MCTOG POCS.
6. Release authorized by BGen Peter D. Huntley, Director of Operations for Plans, Policies and Operations.//