R 141400Z AUG 23
MARADMIN 399/23
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC DCI WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE MARINE CORPS CYBER GAMES FOR THE FALL SERVICE-WIDE CAPTURE THE FLAG COMPETITION//
POC/V. M. CROWDER/MAJ/INFORMATION PROGRAM OFFICER, DC I/ 703-695-9551/VICTORIA.CROWDER@USMC.MIL//
POC/S. M. YOUNG/CWO5/CYBER WARFARE OFFICER, DC I/703-695-9551/STEPHEN.M.YOUNG@USMC.MIL//
POC/R. A. HIDALGO/CTR/MCCA INTAKE MANAGER, DC I/703-784-5985/RACHEL.HIDALGO.CTR@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMAKS/1.  Purpose.  This message announces the Fall Service-wide Cyber Capture the Flag (CTF) competition taking place on 2 Oct 2023 to 17 Nov 2023.  The Deputy Commandant for Information (DC I), in partnership with the Naval Air Warfare Center, Department of Defense (DoD) Test Management Resource Center, and the National Cyber Range, will participate in a remote CTF event with secure access provided through the Joint Information Operations Range (JIOR).  The CTF competition provides a venue where Marine cyberspaceoperators can compete in a tailored scenario to complete cyber challenges of varying difficulty, referred to as cyber flags.
2.  Background.  On 1 Mar 2018, the Marine Corps established an occupational field dedicated to the professionalization of cyberspace operations.  In Jan 2020, discussions began on developing a competitive venue in which Marine cyberspace operators could securely compete, share expertise, and hone tactics, techniques, and procedures to increase cyberspace effectiveness and readiness across the Fleet Marine Force and Cyberspace Mission Force.  To address this gap, DC I began hosting the Marine Corps Cyber Games and participated in the Cyber Red Zone CTF.  These competitions have provided a secure venue to foster camaraderie amongst the community and provided opportunities for Marines to display their skills in a competitive environment.  Additionally, as has been the case in past CTFs, highly qualified cyber volunteers from the Marine Corps Cyber Auxiliary will be on standby to train, educate, assist, and mentor Marines as they compete.  The intent of the Marine Corps Cyber Games is ultimately to accelerate excellence through competition.
3.  Execution.  The intended participants for this event are cyberspace operators from the Defensive Cyberspace Operations-Internal Defensive MeasuresCompanies and the Cyber Mission Force.  To find an open session, please go to the event registration site located at:  https:(slash)(slash)intelshare.intelink.gov/sites/te/CyberRedZone/_layouts/15/start.aspx#/SitePages/CRZ%2024-1%20Schedule.aspx.  Please pick an open session and then email the following information to jonathan.t.harris.civ@us.navy.mil, Dr. Wells fuzzywells@mitre.org, and Rachel.Hidalgo.ctr@usmc.mil:
Session:
Team Name: 
Service/Agency:
Command/Organization:
Participation Location:
JIOR/JMN Designator:
Primary point of contact (POC):
Email:
Phone:
Alt. POC:
Email:
Phone:
3.A.  The Event Owner will permit up to five teams to participate in each session in this event.  Due to range constraints, the competition will split into 11 two-day sessions.  Finalized team participants are due prior to the associated Session Communications (Comms) check.  Recommended team size is between 6-10 Marines (limit of 10 per team) with defensive/offensive cyberspace skillsets.
3.B.  Command Representation.  This CTF is open to all command representation Service wide.  The Marine Corps will sponsor the winning team to represent the Marine Corps at the System Administrator, Audit, Network and Security Service Cup pending funding and unit availability.
3.C. Timeline.  The timeline for the CTF competition is in paragraph 3.C.1 through 3.C.6.  Dates are subject to change and will be posted on the registration portal.
3.C.2.  Information Maneuver Division will submit the initial Interservice Support Agreement (ISA) with past participating remote locations.  Any new or unidentified ranges must be submitted no later than 30 Aug 2023 so that an addendum to the ISA can be prepared.  (*Participation in CTF is subject to ISA approval.)
3.C.3.  8 Sep 2023: Addendum for ISA submitted.
3.C.4.  15 Sep 2023: CTF registration deadline.
3.C.5.  20 Sep: Weekly CTF working group begins.
3.C.6.  During Comms Check (29 Sep 2023 to 15 Nov 2023): CTF Intelligence drop.
3.C.7.  27 Sep 2023: Final weekly CTF working group.
3.C.8.  Session Dates:
Session # 1          Dates: 2-3 Oct             (Comms check 29 Sep)
Session # 2          Dates: 5-6 Oct             (Comms check 4 Oct)
Session # 3          Dates: 11-12 Oct           (Comms check 10 Oct)
Session # 4          Dates: 16-17 Oct           (Comms check 13 Oct)
Session # 5          Dates: 19-20 Oct           (Comms check 18 Oct)
Session # 6          Dates: 24-25 Oct           (Comms check 23 Oct)
Session # 7          Dates: 30-31 Oct           (Comms check 26 Oct)
Session # 8          Dates: 2-3 Nov             (Comms check 1 Nov)
Session # 9          Dates: 7-8 Nov             (Comms check 6 Nov)
Session # 10         Dates: 13-14 Nov           (Comms check 9 Nov)
Session # 11         Dates: 16-17 Nov           (Comms check 15 Nov)
3.C.9.  After Action Report due two weeks after session completion.
3.C.10.  To be determind:  Remote awards presentation
4. Administration and logistics.  Units are responsible for the travel costs of their representatives if required.
5.  Direct all questions to MARADMIN POCs.
6.  Release authorized by LtGen M. G. Glavy, Headquarters Marine Corps, Deputy Commandant for Information.//