R 101712Z JUL 24
MARADMIN 318/24
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC DCI WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/ ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE MARINE CORPS CYBER GAMES FOR THE FALL
SERVICE-WIDE CAPTURE THE FLAG COMPETITION //
POC-DC I/ERIK SALZMAN/MAJ/PROGRAM OFFICER, DC I/703-695-9551/
ERIK.B.SALZMAN.MIL@USMC.MIL//
POC-DC I/JEFFEREY JAMROK/CWO2/OCO PLANS AND POLICY OFFICER, DC I/
443-654-2160/JEFFEREY.JAMROK@USMC.MIL//
POC-DC I/ARTURO NAGY/CTR/DC I/703-784-5985/
ARTURO.NAGY.CTR@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS /1. Purpose. This message announces the Fall
Service-wide Cyber Capture the Flag (CTF) competition taking place
from 30 September – 14 November 2024. The Fall event will be a
Cyber Red Zone CTF, focused specifically on Offensive Cyberspace
Operations (OCO). The Deputy Commandant for Information (DC I), in
partnership with the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems
Division (NAWCTSD), the National Cyber Range Complex under the DOD
Test Resource Management Center, will organize a remote CTF event
with SECRET access provided through the Joint Information Operations
Range (JIOR). The CTF competition provides a venue where Marine
cyberspace operators can compete in a tailored scenario to complete
cyber challenges of varying difficulty, referred to as cyber flags.
2. Background. On 1 March 2018, the Marine Corps established an
occupational field dedicated to the professionalization of
cyberspace operators. In January 2020, discussions began for
developing a setting in which Marine cyberspace operators could
compete, share expertise, and hone tactics, techniques, and
procedures to increase cyberspace effectiveness and readiness across
the Fleet Marine Force (FMF) and Cyberspace Mission Force (CMF) on a
secure network. To address this challenge, DC I began hosting the
Marine Corps Cyber Games and participating in CTF competitions.
These events have provided a venue to foster camaraderie among the
community and 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. Action Items. The intended participants for this event are
cyberspace operators from the DCO-IDM Companies and the Cyber
Mission Force. To find an open session, please go to the event
registration site located at: https:(slash)(slash)intelshare.intel
ink.gov/sites/te/CyberRedZone/_layouts/15/start.aspx#/SitePages/
Home.aspx and register your team for this event. If you are unable
to access the link, please email the following information to:
Maj Erik Salzman at erik.salzman@usmc.mil, Dr. Wells at
fuzzywells@mitre.org, and Mr. Art Nagy at arturo.nagy.ctr@usmc.mil:
Session: _________
Team name: ______
Service/Agency: ______
Command/Organization: ________
Participation Location: _____
JIOR/JMN Designator: _____
Site POCs:
Primary POC: _______
Email: _________
Phone: _________
Team POC: _________
Email: _________
Phone: ________
3.a. The Event Owner will permit up to five teams to participate in
each session of this event. Due to range constraints, the
competition will split into 10 two-day sessions, for a total of 50
teams. Finalized team participant rosters are due prior to the
associated session communications check. Recommended team size is
between 5-10 members (limit of 10 per team) with defensive/offensive
cyberspace skillsets.
3.b. Command Representation. This CTF is open to all services to
enhance competition. DC I will sponsor the winning Marine Corps
teams (one Active, one Reserve) to represent the Marine Corps at the
System Administrator, Audit, Network and Security (SANS) Service
Cup. If funding is available, only the winning Marine Corps team
will receive funding to the SANS Service Cup. Teams at SANS Service
Cup are limited to five members.
3.c. Timeline. The timeline for the CTF competition is in paragraph
3.C.1 through 3.C.5. Dates are subject to change and will be posted
on the registration portal.
3.c.1. Information Maneuver Division (IMD) will submit the initial
Interconnection Security Agreement (ISA) by 01 August. Any new or
unidentified range sites must be submitted NLT 08 August so that an
addendum to the ISA can be submitted. (*Participation in CTF is
subject to ISA approval.)
3.c.2. 08 August: CTF registration deadline.
3.c.3. During Comms Check, a CTF Intelligence drop and virtual
fly-away kit will be provided to participants.
3.c.4. Session Dates:
Session # 1 Dates: 30 Sep - 1 Oct Comms Check: 27 Sep
Session # 2 Dates: 3 Oct - 4 Oct Comms Check: 2 Oct
Session # 3 Dates: 8 Oct - 9 Oct Comms Check: 7 Oct
Session # 4 Dates: 15 Oct - 16 Oct Comms Check: 10 Oct
Session # 5 Dates: 21 Oct - 22 Oct Comms Check: 17 Oct
Session # 6 Dates: 24 Oct - 25 Oct Comms Check: 23 Oct
Session # 7 Dates: 29 Oct - 30 Oct Comms Check: 28 Oct
Session # 8 Dates: 4 Nov - 5 Nov Comms Check: 31 Oct
Session # 9 Dates: 7 Nov - 8 Nov Comms Check: 6 Nov
Session # 10 Dates: 13 Nov - 14 Nov Comms Check: 12 Nov
3.c.5. All participating teams are required to provide an
After-Action Report NLT two weeks after session completion.
4. Administration and logistics. Units are responsible for the
travel costs of their representatives if required.
4.a. Teams are responsible for arranging access to a JIOR node on
Secret Internet Protocol Router (SIPR) network to participate in the
event.
4.b. Participants who complete the event will be eligible for a
participation certificate from the Test Resource Management Center
for 16 hours of continuous learning credit.
4.c. Awards will be mailed to the winning team.
5. Direct all questions to MARADMIN points of contacts.
6. Release authorized by LtGen M. G. Glavy, Headquarters Marine
Corps, Deputy Commandant for Information.//