R 211513Z FEB 25
MARADMIN 080/25
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC DCI WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE MARINE CORPS CYBER GAMES FOR THE SPRING
SERVICE-WIDE CAPTURE THE FLAG COMPETITION//
POC 1/E. B. SALZMAN/MAJ/DC I IMD/703-695-9551/
ERIK.B.SALZMAN.MIL@USMC.MIL//
POC 2/S. W. SCOTT/CWO4/DC I IMD/703-692-9315/
STEVEN.W.SCOTT@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/RMKS/1. Purpose. This message announces the Spring
Service-wide Cyber Capture the Flag (CTF) competition taking place
on 12–29 May 2025. The Spring event will be a Cyber Blue Zone CTF,
focused specifically on Defensive Cyberspace Operations (DCO). The
Deputy Commandant for Information (DC I), in partnership with the
National Cyber Range Complex (NCRC) under the DOD Test Resource
Management Center (TRMC), will organize a remote CTF event with
SECRET access provided through the Joint Information Operations
Range (JIOR) and the Joint Mission Environment Test Capability
(JMETC) Multiple Levels of Security (MILS) Network (JMN). 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. Execution. 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.
intelink.gov/sites/te/CyberBlueZone/ and register your team for
this event. If you are unable to access the link, please email
the following information to: Major Erik Salzman at
erik.b.salzman.mil@usmc.mil, CWO4 Steven Scott at
steven.w.scott@usmc.mil, and Dr. David ‘Fuzzy’ Wells at
wwells@ida.org
Session: _________
Team Name: ______
Service/Agency: ______
Command/Organization: ________
Participation Location: _____
JIOR/JMN Designator: _____
Site POCs: _______
Email: _________
Phone: _________
Team POCs: _________
Email: _________
Phone: ________
3.a. The Event Owner will permit up to eight teams to participate
in each session of this event (six JIOR, two JMN). Due to range
constraints, the competition will split into four two-day sessions,
for a total of 32 teams. Finalized team participant rosters are
due prior to the associated session communications check.
Recommended team size is between 6-10 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.
3.c. Timeline. The timeline for the CTF competition is in paragraph
3.c.2 through 3.c.6. 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) with registered
participating remote locations by the 7th of March. Late
registrations for sites/teams must be submitted NLT 21 Mar 2025
so that an addendum to the ISA can be submitted. (Participation in
CTF is subject to ISA approval).
3.c.2. CTF registration deadline for ISA: 7 Mar 2025. Late
registration deadline for ISA addendum: 21 Mar 2025.
3.c.3. During Comms Check there will be a Rules of Engagement,
Range Operations Guide, and CTF Intelligence drop for participants.
3.c.4. Session Dates:
Session 1 Dates: 12-13 May (Comms check 9 May)
Session 2 Dates: 15-16 May (Comms check 14 May)
Session 3 Dates: 20-21 May (Comms check 19 May)
Session 4 Dates: 28-29 May (Comms check 27 May)
3.c.5. All participating teams are required to provide an
After-Action Report NLT two weeks after session completion.
3.c.6. Awards will be mailed to the winning team.
4. Administration and logistics. Units are responsible for the
travel costs of their representatives if required.
5. Direct all questions to MARADMIN points of contact.
6. Release authorized by Lieutenant General M. G. Carter,
Headquarters Marine Corps, Deputy Commandant for Information.//