In the Commandant’s “The Way Forward” letter published in 2006; he established the requirement to develop a “Ground MAWTS.” He acknowledged MSTP and MAWTS-1 success in preparing the Command and Aviation elements of the MAGTF for full spectrum conflict and stated that a similar capability for training must exist for the Ground element. In the summer of 2007, the Marine Corps Tactics & Operations Group (MCTOG) was activated to provide this capability. The Commandant highlighted the need for this new organization to standardize training and instructor qualifications. He envisioned MCTOG as an organization that would produce trainers of all ranks who could conduct detailed planning to integrate organic, MAGTF, Joint, and interagency assets into planning, training, and operations. Furthermore, he established the requirement for graduates of MCTOG to be able to plan and conduct MAGTF operations, integrate the six warfighting functions in training and operations, plan and execute kinetic and non-kinetic fires, and build mission training plans. As MAWTS has refined over the years a culture of training excellence and standardization for the ACE, MCTOG must “inculcate a unit training culture at all levels” within the GCE. Per reference (a), this T&R Manual establishes training standards, regulations, and practices to fulfill this training requirement.