Marine Corps Tactics and Operations Group - MCTOG

?? The 7th MCTOG Quarterly Newsletter is now available! ?? We’re excited to share the latest issue, designed to keep commanders and the entire MCTOG Community of Practice connected and informed. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll find: - Amphibious Landings & Counter Landing Operations: Dive into updates on amphibious doctrine and new considerations for contested beach landings. - Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (AI/ML): Discover how AI/ML is transforming curriculum development, enhancing creativity, and preparing leaders for modern challenges. - Rear Area Operations: Get insights on the evolving doctrine for securing logistics and support areas in multi-domain environments. - Mountain & Stream Instructional Theory: This instructional guide offers strategies for crafting and asking purposeful questions that deepen learning and engagement. - The Historical Evolution of the Rank of Captain: A fascinating look at the rank’s origins and development, reflecting on leadership over time. In addition, the newsletter features links to professional development resources, recent doctrine updates, and lessons learned from MCTOG leadership. If you are a part of the MCTOG Community of Practice and would like to suggest a topic for inclusion in a future edition of the newsletter or are interested in becoming a contributor, please let us know in the comments below. #USMC #Marines #MCTOG #Newsletter #ProfessionalDevelopment #MilitaryTraining #Doctrine #Innovation

Congratulations to the Graduates of?AMWC 1-25! Today, we honor a group of dedicated Marine leaders who have completed Advanced Maneuver Warfare Course—a challenging program that equips them with the skills, insights, and strategies to lead in dynamic and complex operational environments. The dedication, perseverance, and professionalism you’ve demonstrated during this rigorous course are truly commendable. We also want to extend our gratitude to the remarkable team of uniformed and civilian staff and instructors who made this training possible. Your expertise, mentorship, and guidance have been instrumental in developing this next generation of Marine leaders, and your commitment to excellence has left a lasting impact. #USMC #Marines #MCTOG #AMWC #GraduationDay #MilitaryExcellence

Advanced Maneuver Warfare Course (AMWC) 1-25 Enters Final Week!? As AMWC 1-25 approaches its conclusion, students are immersing themselves in training in deliberate planning and more tactical decision games (TDGs). Why This Matters: 1???TDGs simulate high-pressure scenarios, pushing students to make rapid, informed decisions in complex environments. This builds confidence and sharpens critical thinking skills essential for real-world operations. 2???Deliberate planning sessions teach students to develop comprehensive, adaptable strategies. This meticulous approach ensures all aspects of an operation are considered, minimizing risks and maximizing effectiveness. 3???The synergy between TDGs and deliberate planning creates well-rounded leaders capable of both quick tactical thinking and thorough strategic planning. Key Takeaways: ??Students learn to balance speed with thoroughness in decision-making ??Practical application reinforces theoretical knowledge ??Graduates of AMWC emerge more prepared for the complexities of modern warfare AMWC is not just about individual growth; it's about enhancing the overall capabilities of our military forces. By mastering these skills, graduates will be better equipped to navigate the challenges of 21st-century conflicts to help ensure mission success. As we witness the culmination of AMWC 1-25, we're seeing the emergence of adaptable, strategic leaders ready to excel in any operational environment. Their journey here will have a lasting impact on military effectiveness. #USMC #Marines #MCTOG #MilitaryLeadership #TacticalDecisionMaking #AMWC #MarineCorpsTraining #MilitaryEducation What are your thoughts on the importance of combining tactical decision games with deliberate planning in military education? Share your insights below!???

Earlier this week, Colonel Grayson addressed the AMWC 1-25 students, discussing organizational OODA loop and team cognition. Team cognition refers to how teams collectively develop, share, and utilize knowledge. It's a critical factor in enhancing team effectiveness and organizational success. Benefits: ? Improved problem-solving ? Enhanced decision-making ? Increased adaptability ? Better coordination Investing in team cognition can lead to significant improvements in team performance, especially in complex and dynamic environments. #USMC #Marines #MCTOG #TeamCognition #OrganizationalEffectiveness #LeadershipDevelopment

This Week at AMWC 1-25: Students participated in guided discussions and tackled Tactical Decision Games (TDGs), sharpening their skills for high-stakes situations. Why TDGs Matter: Through realistic scenarios, TDGs enhance rapid, strategic decision-making and build confidence under pressure. Each exercise fosters adaptability, communication, and leadership, followed by a debrief where teams reflect, learn, and reinforce resilience. TDGs are essential to shaping agile, confident leaders ready for any challenge! #USMC #MCTOG #AMWC #TDGs #LeadershipTraining #StrategicThinking #MilitaryEducation?

Even on this federal holiday, the students and staff of MCTOG remained committed to their mission. Today, the Advanced Maneuver Warfare Course 1-25 students participated in hands-on training focused on Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB). IPB is a critical and ongoing process involving analyzing enemy capabilities, terrain, weather, and civil considerations. This method is utilized by Marine Air Ground Task Force staff officers at all levels to gain a deeper understanding of the operational environment. By thoroughly assessing these mission variables, commanders can make well-informed decisions, anticipate potential threats, and capitalize on opportunities within their area of operation. Ultimately, this systematic approach enhances the planning and execution of military operations, reduces the likelihood of surprises, and increases the likelihood of success. IPB is an essential component of the Marine Corps planning process. MCTOG remains steadfast in preparing Marine leaders for the challenges of modern warfare. #MCTOG #AMWC #MarineCorps #USMC #IPB #OperationalExcellence #Leadership #MissionSuccess #MilitaryTraining

?? The Advanced Maneuver Warfare Course (AMWC) 1-25 is in session! ?? This week, MCTOG proudly welcomed a new group of Marine leaders from across the force, ready to enhance their expertise in maneuver warfare. AMWC is designed to push boundaries, focusing on: ?? Advanced decision-making and tactical planning ?? Leadership in complex, dynamic environments ?? Mastering agility and adaptability to outmaneuver adversaries Graduates of this course become expert instructors, bringing back invaluable knowledge and skills to their units, driving success across operations and intelligence tactics. Here’s to the next generation of warfighters preparing to lead the way in modern warfare!

MCTOG conducted a Change of Command ceremony today. LtCol William Sumption relinquished command to Col Bryan Grayson. We welcome Col Grayson! LtCol Sumption will continue serving at MCTOG as the command’s Executive Officer.

Back by popular demand, instructors from MCTOG's Intel Section have traveled back to the beautiful island of Hawaii to get some sun, enjoy the waves and run the Network Engagement Course for the Marines of Kaneohe Bay! The NEC teaches Marines to view the networks they scan for information, whether social or digital, as discrete nodes and lines, each of which can help to form a pattern that is exploitable by a skilled practitioner. This mental model allows the unit Staff to provide clearer and more detailed pictures of the adversary from which a Commander can make a decision.

On Monday, 22 July 2024, Marines from MCTOG’s Intelligence Department traveled with V34 to the MCAGCC training area to experiment with establishing High Bandwidth communications using MCTOG's StarShield system. High bandwidth satellite systems allow units in the field to exercise freedom of movement while maintaining connections to data-hungry systems in the rear.