As per reference (a), the primary mission of CNA is to provide the Department of the Navy with an independent, authoritative source of applied research and analysis focused on a wide range of current and future concerns of both the Navy and the Marine Corps. The CNA Research Program for the Marine Corps consists of research and analysis conducted at CNA's headquarters as well as by CNA analysts assigned to Marine Corps commands though the CNA field program.

Field representatives are assigned to major operating force commands as directed by CG MCCDC, the Product Area Manager for all Marine Corps work. These assignments shall be reviewed by CG, MCCDC and CNA annually. Responsibility for the day-to-day management of the CNA field program resides with CNA’s Vice President and Director, Operations Evaluation Group. Additional personnel from CNA's headquarters staff may augment the field program as necessary to provide temporary analytic support directly to Marine Corps operating force commands in areas such as planning, execution, and reconstruction of contingencies and exercises. The provisions of this Order also apply to these additional CNA staff members.