R 012010Z JUL 26
MARADMIN 305/26
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC CD WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/2026 COMMUNICATION STRATEGY AND OPERATIONS (COMMSTRAT)
EXECUTIVE STEERING COMMITTEE (ESC) CALLING MESSAGE//
REF/A/MCO 5311.1E TOTAL FORCE MANAGEMENT PROCESS/18 NOV 2015//
REF/B/COMMSTRAT ESC CHARTER/25 NOV 2024//
REF/C/MCO 4600.40C THE GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CHARGE CARD PROGRAM (GTCCP)
/12 JAN 2026//
NARR/REF A PROVIDES AUTHORITY FOR OCCFLD SPONSORS TO CONDUCT TOTAL
FORCE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES FOR THEIR DESIGNATED FUNCTION. REF B
PROVIDES PROCEDURES FOR THE CONDUCT OF A 45XX COMMSTRAT OCCFLD ESC.
REF C PROVIDES POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR THE GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CHARGE
CARD PROGRAM (GTCCP), GOVERNING TRAVEL CHARGE CARD USE FOR PERSONNEL
ATTENDING THE ESC AND USMCCCA AWARDS BANQUET.//
POC1/RHODES/SD/MAJ/DEPUTY BRANCH HEAD/OCCFLDSPT/CD/TEL:703-693-4906
/SARAH.RHODES@USMC.MIL
POC2/BURKE/LJ/LTCOL/BRANCH HEAD/OCCFLDSPT/CD/TEL: 703-692-1825
/LUCAS.BURKE@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. This calling message provides information for
the COMMSTRAT ESC taking place 4-5 August 2026.
2. This event will be hosted by the Director of Communication,
Communication Directorate (CD), Headquarters Marine Corps.
3. Purpose. The COMMSTRAT ESC, held 4-5 August 2026, is a vital
forum for collaboration, planning, and decision-making between
Headquarters Marine Corps, the operating forces, and the supporting
establishment on critical issues affecting the COMMSTRAT
Occupational Field (OCCFLD). The ESC drives initiatives to increase
COMMSTRAT capabilities, employability, development, and readiness in
support of Marine Corps operational and institutional missions.
Additionally, it offers a direct venue for the OCCFLD to provide
ground-level operational perspectives to the Public Affairs (PA),
Visual Information (VI), and Combat Camera (COMCAM) principal
advisor.
4. ESC participants. The following commands are requested to send
45XX leadership that can speak with authority on behalf of their
respective commanders. The primary ESC participants from commands
identified shall be either the director, deputy, senior enlisted
leader, or visual information officer (VIO) (if assigned).
4.a. Marine Forces Pacific (2 PAX).
4.b. Marine Forces Command/North (2 PAX).
4.c. Marine Forces Reserve/South (2 PAX).
4.d. Marine Forces Central Command (2 PAX).
4.e. Marine Forces Europe/Africa (2 PAX).
4.f. Marine Forces Japan (1 PAX).
4.g. Marine Forces Special Operations Command (2 PAX).
4.h. I Marine Expeditionary Force (6 PAX).
4.i. II Marine Expeditionary Force (6 PAX).
4.j. III Marine Expeditionary Force (6 PAX).
4.k. Marine Corps Installations Command (1 PAX).
4.l. Marine Corps Installations West (2 PAX).
4.m. Marine Corps Installations East (2 PAX).
4.n. Marine Corps Installations Pacific (2 PAX).
4.o. Marine Corps Recruiting Command (2 PAX).
4.p. Deputy Commandant Installations and Logistics (1 PAX).
4.q. Deputy Commandant Combat Development & Integration
(CIO and DIR) (2 PAX).
4.r. Training and Education Command (1 PAX).
4.s. Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs
(1 PAX).
4.t. Deputy Commandant for Information (1 PAX).
4.u. Marine Detachment Ft. Meade (1 PAX).
4.v. Marine Corps Systems Command (1 PAX).
4.w. Marine Corps Information Command (1 PAX)
5. All ESC participants, per paragraph 4, must register no later
than 19 July 2026. Use the following link to register: https:
(slash)(slash)forms.osi.apps.mil(slash)r(slash)HdD9dFXXkH
6. Coordinating Instructions
6.a. Command representatives are required to have the authority to
speak on behalf of their respective commanders on all areas of the
45XX OCCFLD, and if required, vote on the outcome as briefed to the
ESC chair and per REF B.
6.b. ESC voting members must arrive prepared to brief recommended
service-level COMMSTRAT initiatives based off capability gaps for
FY27 and FY28. Recommendations must focus on enterprise-wide
Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and
Communication Synchronization, Personnel, Facilities, and Cost
(DOTMLPF-C) impacts rather than localized command issues. These
initiatives will be briefed during Day 1 to establish the ESC's
prioritization for subsequent FY27/FY28 sub-working group action.
6.c. The uniform for the ESC is MARPAT woodland combat utilities,
sleeves up, with eight-point covers. The uniform for the USMCCCA
Awards Banquet is Blue Dress "A." SNCOs and Officers will wear
white trousers. Mess dress is not authorized.
6.d. Location. All events will take place at Marine Corps Base
Quantico, VA. The ESC and the USMCCCA Awards Banquet will take
place at the Clubs at Quantico and Crossroads Events Center, 3017
Russell Rd, Quantico, VA 22134.
6.e. Travel. Travel days for the ESC are 3 and 6 August 2026. All
travel expenses are a unit responsibility. Travelers from outside
the continental United States should be afforded additional travel
days at the discretion of their commands.
6.f. Lodging. Forty rooms at Inns of the Corps Quantico have been
reserved under group booking confirmation #3692. To reserve a room,
call (703) 630-4444. An additional 30 rooms have been reserved at
Marine Lodge Quantico under group booking confirmation #3695. To
reserve a room, call (703) 432-1341. Participants are responsible
for coordinating their own lodging with Inns of the Corps Quantico
or Marine Lodge Quantico staff. Reservations must be made no later
than 19 July 2026, aligned with the registration form deadline
established in paragraph 5. Any unreserved rooms will be released
after this date.
6.g. Attendees and commands must comply with REF C concerning the
Government Travel Charge Card Program (GTCCP). DTS will identify
the 2026 max per diem rate for Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA.
6.h. Transportation. Transportation is the responsibility of the
unit. 6.k. Cell phones and computers are authorized. Wi-Fi and
power will be available at all locations.
6.i. ESC registration and questions related to the COMMSTRAT ESC
should be sent to the CD OCCFLD Support POCs listed above.
Coordinating instructions and finalized agenda will be provided to
confirmed attendees no later than 29 July 2026.
7. Release authorized by Colonel John O. Caldwell, Director,
Communication Directorate, Headquarters Marine Corps.//