Marine Corps Program Wide Support

The Marine Corps Program Wide Support (PE 0605873M) is a comprehensive Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) program element within the Navy budget. It is designed to provide analytical, operational, and strategic support across multiple domains for the United States Marine Corps (USMC). The goal is to facilitate force development, war plan assessment, concept and combat development, and material acquisition processes. This program element serves as the analytical foundation for the Marine Corps Studies System (MCSS), supporting mandated Mission Area Analyses and Cost and Operational Effectiveness Analyses. It is integral to the Marine Corps' acquisition system and decision-making processes.

Studies & Analysis/MC (0030) focuses on providing operations research, analytic support, and studies management for the MCSS. The Operations Analysis Directorate (OAD) leads efforts using methodologies such as operational analysis, statistical analysis, multi-objective decision methods, and computer-based models to optimize resource allocation and inform senior leadership decisions. Objectives include supporting the Commandant's Force Design 2030, analyzing space-based capabilities, cyber operations, munitions modernization, intelligence satellite communications, logistics, readiness strategies, and unmanned systems. The program develops and utilizes modeling and simulation tools, such as the Synthetic Operations Research Model (STORM), to evaluate future mission scenarios, including irregular warfare, cyber operations, and multi-domain reconnaissance.

OT&E Support (0033) is managed by the Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation Activity (MCOTEA), which oversees operational test programs for Acquisition Categories (ACAT) I-IV, excluding manned aircraft. The primary objective is to ensure that new systems and equipment proposed for acquisition are tested rigorously and evaluated objectively for operational effectiveness and suitability. MCOTEA's early involvement in developmental testing helps reduce costs and ensures compliance with regulations. This supports rapid acquisition processes so that Marines receive the most advanced and reliable equipment. The program provides critical information to the Milestone Decision Authority (MDA) to assess operational risk and readiness.

Office of Net Assessment (1403) was established to conduct long-term comparative assessments of trends, key competitions, risks, and opportunities relevant to USMC roles and missions. The office supports strategic decision-making for the Commandant and Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps by analyzing the ability to operate in key regions such as INDOPACOM and the Korean peninsula, assessing China's military posture, and evaluating future technologies and defensive strategies. Funding supported the completion of several major assessments, with a reduction in future years reflecting the completion of these projects.

Marine Corps Wargaming Capability (3009) aims to enhance force design through advanced modeling, simulation, and analytic assessments of operational plans and concepts. The Wargaming and Analysis Center, supported by specialized software and infrastructure, enables analytically informed decision support for capability development and resource prioritization. The program follows a Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA) strategy, progressing through risk reduction prototyping, integrated prototyping, baselining, and sustainment phases. Key objectives include completing Azure cloud migration, cyber accreditation for production systems, and developing conceptual models to achieve full operational capability.

Information Environment Strategy, Policy and Governance (3783) addresses the rapidly evolving and interconnected information environment, which is increasingly critical to warfighting functions. The program supports the development and integration of the Marine Corps Information Environment Enterprise (MCIEE), guided by the Commandant's Planning Guidance and Force Design 2030. Objectives include designing an Objective Network for contested environments, enhancing collaboration with Joint and Coalition partners, and developing integrated information capabilities. Plans emphasize innovation activities, rapid development of information warfare capabilities, and the initiation and delivery of hardware and software kits for Project DYNAMIS, supporting Combined Joint All Domain Command and Control (CJADC2).