R 151615Z AUG 16
MARADMIN 418/16
MSGID/GENADMIN/CG EDCOM PRES MCU QUANTICO VA//
SUBJ/FISCAL YEAR 2017 CORNERSTONE: THE COMMANDANTS COMBINED COMMANDERSHIP COURSE (FORMERLY THE COMMANDANTS COMMANDERS PROGRAM AND SPOUSES WORKSHOP)//
POC/M. KIBLER/MAJ/LOC: MCU/PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS/TEL: DSN 378-6850, COMM (703)784-6850/EMAIL: MICHAEL.KIBLER(AT)USMC.MIL/M.HYAMS/CIV/LOC: MCU/PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS/TEL: DSN 378-4710, COMM (703)432-4710/EMAIL: MICHAEL.HYAMS(AT)USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Situation.  In 1992, the Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) established a resident Commanders program for board selected and slated Colonels and Lieutenant Colonels.  In 2013, the Commandant and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps established a resident program for newly selected Sergeants Major.  In 2015, the two courses were combined into Cornerstone: The Commandants Combined Commandership Program.  The President, Marine Corps University (MCU), as executive agent for the CMC, conducts two Cornerstone Programs annually with concurrent Spouses workshops.  Attendance is mandatory for Commanders and Sergeants Major either prior to or shortly after arriving at their new command.  Attendance for spouses, while not required, is encouraged.
2.  Mission.  From 17 – 28 October 2016, and 24 April - 5 May 2017, Marine Corps University, on behalf of the CMC, facilitates the Cornerstone Program at the Gray Research Center(GRC) located on MCB Quantico in order to prepare board selected Commanders and Sergeants Major and their respective spouses for the challenges of command. 
3.  Execution.
3.A.  Commanders Intent.
3.A.1.  Purpose.  Educate Commanders, Sergeants Major and their spouses on the fundamental authorities, responsibilities, programs, and practices that contribute to a successful command tour.
3.A.2.  Method.  The two week program will address the demands and challenges of command and allow specific focus on particular constituent communities of interest while providing time for mentoring and cross talk.  The program will emphasize the art and science of command as appropriate for each grade, with leadership, critical thinking, and unit readiness providing the basic foundations for instruction.  The curriculum will maximize the use of small group guided discussions with current and former Commanders, Sergeants Major and their spouses in order to permit a frank exchange of observations, ideas, and methodologies.
3.A.3.  Endstate.  Command teams that are fully prepared to meet the unique challenges and demands of command.
3.B.  Concept of Operations.  President, Marine Corps University will conduct the program at the Marine Corps University, MCB Quantico, Virginia.  Two options are available: 17-28 October 2016 and 24 April– 5 May 2017.  During the first week of each option, Commanders and Sergeants Major will conduct the preponderance of their programs together with opportunities to conduct billet specific training during specified periods of instruction.  In the second week, the Commanders and Sergeants Major will attend presentations together while the Spouses Workshop runs simultaneously.  During the second week of each option, there will be several presentations in which Commanders, Sergeants Major, and their spouses attend jointly.  The schedule, which is under development, will feature the following general sequence of events. 
16 Oct / 23 Apr Commanders and Sergeants Major execute travel 
17 Oct / 24 Apr 0630-0745 Check in at GRC, MCU Commence programs
23 Oct / 30 Apr Spouses execute travel
24 Oct / 01 May 0745 Commence Spouses program and continue Commander/Sergeants Major program
28 Oct / 05 May 1400 Completion of all programs and workshop      
28-29 Oct / 05-06 May Execute return travel
3.C.  Coordinating Instructions.
3.C.1.  Eligibility.  Command slated Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels, Lieutenant Colonel selects, and Sergeants Major selected on the FY17 promotion board, as well those selected in previous fiscal years but were unable to attend.  US Navy equivalents identified by Manpower Management Officer Assignments are also directed to attend the program.  Spouses of eligible attendees are authorized to attend the spouses workshop at government expense. 
3.C.2.  Registration.
3.C.2.A.  Quotas are as follows: A maximum of 40 Colonel level Commanders, 100 Lieutenant Colonel level Commanders, 55 Sergeants Major, and 100 spouses per course.  Registration is on a first come, first serve basis.  Registration for the FY17-1 closes at 1600 Friday, 07 October 2016.  Registration for FY17-2 closes at 1600 Friday, 31 March 2017.  During the registration process, Commanders, Sergeants Major, and spouses will identify their choice of option (17-1) or option (17-2).  Marines assuming command prior to the 17-2 course should attend the 17-1 course as the second course is expected to reach capacity quickly and the next opportunity to attend will not occur until FY18.
3.C.2.B.  Registration Responsibility.  MCU Lejeune Leadership Institute (LLI) will register all attendees (Active and Reserve Component).  To register for the course, please send an email to MCU(underscore)LLI(at)USMC.MIL.  All Marine Corps Training Information Management System submissions will be executed by LLI staff.  Follow-on instructions will be provided to each attendee upon registration.
4.  Administration and Logistics.
4.A.1.  All attendees shall travel on non-reporting orders.  Orders are the responsibility of the attendees parent command.  Government billeting is available on a limited basis.  Messing is available, but not conducive to training, so it is not directed.
4.A.2.  Billeting.  The MCB Quantico government billeting is located at the Crossroads Inn (703-630-4444) or Liversedge Hall(703-784-3149).  A limited number of rooms are available for the Crossroads Inn under the group reservation course 17-1 (Cornerstone 1) and course 17-2 (Cornerstone 2).  A statement of nonavailability will be required from Liversedge Hall (703-784-3149) for any off-base billeting.
4.B.  Funding and Travel.
4.B.1.  Active Component.  Commanding General, Training and Education Command Formal Schools Training Support will fund travel and per diem to include lodging, meals, and incidental expenses for active component attendees.  Local travel will not be funded.  LLI will submit requests for funding to TECOM upon closing of the registration period.  Approved funding letters will be released via SEPCOR.  TECOM will not fund US Navy attendees.  US Navy attendees must fund travel in accordance with local procedures.
4.B.2.  Spouses of Active component.  Travel/per diem for spouses of Active duty attendees will be funded by MCU.  Local travel will not be funded.  All spouses attending must have an individual DTS profile in order to properly process travel.  Contact local S-1/G-1 for support in establishing a DTS profile for spouses.  Once the spouses DTS profile is established, contact LLI admin, Mrs. Judith Martin, at JUDITH.MARTIN(AT)USMC.MIL or (703) 784-4777 to execute cross-org approval and finalize DTS authorization.
4.B.3.  Reserve Component.  MARFORRES will fund travel and per diem for Selected Marine Corps Reserve, Active Reserve, and spouses.  POC for travel support at MARFORRES is Mr. Anthony Davis at ANTHONY.T.DAVIS(AT)USMC.MIL or 504-697-7316.
4.C.  Transportation.  The servicing airports for the Quantico area are Dulles International (IAD), Baltimore Washington International (BWI), Richmond International (RIC), and Reagan National (DCA). Attendees must utilize the most cost effective airport when arranging transportation.  Rental vehicles will not be funded by TECOM.  When arranging return transportation please be aware of departure times.  Lodging in the airport area is not authorized.
5.  Command and Signal.
5.A.  Command Relationships.  President, Marine Corps University serves as the on-scene commander.
5.B.  Signal.  Questions or concerns in regard to the contents of this MARADMIN can be directed to the MCU POCs.
6.  Release authorized by BGen Thomas A. Gorry Commanding General, Education Command President, Marine Corps University.//