R 031712Z SEP 25
MARADMIN 415/25
MSGID/GENADMIN/CG TECOM QUANTICO VA//
SUBJ/FY26 GROUND COMBAT ELEMENT COMMANDERS’ COURSE//
REF/A/MSGID/CMC WASHINGTON DC//251916ZJUL25//
REF/B/MSGID/ CMC WASHINGTON DC/011341ZAUG25//
POC/MCTOG/ROBERT WALLACE/LTCOL/OPSO MCTOG/TEL: (760) 830-3623/EMAIL:
ROBERT.WALLACE.MIL@USMC.MIL//
POC/MCTOG/ALEX BARRON/CIV/DEP OPSO MCTOG/TEL: (760) 830-8989/EMAIL:
ALEX.BARRON@USMC.MIL//
POC/MCTOG/CAROLINA VANMEERBEEK/CIV/SECURITY SPECIALIST/TEL:
(760) 830-5796/EMAIL: CAROLINA.VANMEERBEEK@USMC.MIL//
NARR/REF A IS MARADMIN 351/25, FY26 COL COMMAND SCREENING BOARD
RESULTS. REF B IS MARADMIN 358/25, FY26 LTCOL COMMAND SCREENING
BOARD RESULTS//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Situation. In November 2017, the Ground Board
endorsed the formalization of a Ground Combat Element Commanders’
Course (GCECC) and requested Marine Corps Tactics and Operations
Group (MCTOG) facilitate the development and delivery of a GCECC to
better prepare 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).
2. Mission. Execute a five-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 multi-domain operations against peer competitors
in support of the MAGTF.
3. Execution.
3.a. Commander’s 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 career’s 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 too tactically
employ, train, and lead their command within the context of maneuver
warfare in multi-domain operations against peer competitors in
support of the MAGTF.
3.b. Concept of Operations. MCTOG conducts GCECC at Marine Air
Ground Combat Center twice per fiscal year IOT afford the opportunity
for all FY26 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, and Lieutenant
Colonel selects on the FY26 command screening boards (per the refs).
3.c.2. FY26 course dates.
3.c.2.a. MCTOG executes GCECC 26-1, 8-12 December 2025.
3.c.2.b. MCTOG executes GCECC 26-2, 13-17 April 2026.
3.c.3. Registration. Registration is hosted by MCTOG via email to
MCTOG POCs noted in this message.
3.c.3.a. Registration deadline for GCECC 26-1 is 7 November, 2025.
3.c.3.b. Registration deadline for GCECC 26-2 is 13 March, 2026.
4. Admin and Logistics
4.a. Submit visit request in DISS with the following information:
4.a.1. SMO Code: M30016
4.a.2. Event Name: GCECC 26-1 or GCECC 26-2
4.a.3. Event POC: Alex W. Barron/ Civ/ Dep OpsO
4.a.4. Dates: GCECC 26-1: 8-12 Dec 2025 or GCECC 26-2:
13-17 Apr 2026.
4.a.5. Classification Level: Secret
4.a.6. Security POC: Carolina Vanmeerbeek/ Civ/ Security Specialist
4.b. Each attendee arranges his or her 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: Inns of the Corps Mountain View (760) 830-1054
Other: Holiday Inn Express: (760) 361-1000, Best Western:
(760) 367-9141, or 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.
4.c.3. Support personnel are funded by MCTOG. Detailed information
for support personnel will be published via separate correspondence
for each course.
4.d. Uniform: Desert digital MARPAT uniform, sleeves down.
5. Command and Signal
5.a. Command. Omitted.
5.b. Signal. Questions or comments regarding this message are
directed to MCTOG POCS.
6. Release authorized by Lieutenant General Benjamin T. Watson,
Commanding General, Training and Education Command.//