Program Executive Officer Land Systems Stephen Bowdren’s relationship with the Corps began 43 years ago when he attended the Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Course at Camp Upshur in Quantico, Virginia, while a college student. Bowdren ultimately joined the U.S. Navy in 1982 and served faithfully until he retired from active duty in 2002. He was appointed as PEO Land Systems in 2022. (Courtesy photo provided by Stephen Bowdren) - Program Executive Officer Land Systems Stephen Bowdren’s relationship with the Corps began 43 years ago when he attended the Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Course at Camp Upshur in Quantico, Virginia, while a college student. Bowdren ultimately joined the U.S. Navy in 1982 and served faithfully until he retired from active duty in 2002. He was appointed as PEO Land Systems in 2022. (Courtesy photo provided by Stephen Bowdren)

Marine Corps Systems Command Sgt. Maj. Allen Goodyear, left, looks on as Gen. Eric M. Smith, middle, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, congratulates Col. Kirk D. Mullins (right) on his retirement from the Marine Corps after 31 years of faithful service. The ceremony was held at Marine Corps Base Quantico’s 395-acre Transportation Demonstration Support Area on Sept. 29, 2022. Mullins was instrumental to the development, acquisition and fielding of the ACV, designed and built to replace the Corps’ legacy AAVs, which have been in service since 1972. - Marine Corps Systems Command Sgt. Maj. Allen Goodyear, left, looks on as Gen. Eric M. Smith, middle, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, congratulates Col. Kirk D. Mullins (right) on his retirement from the Marine Corps after 31 years of faithful service. The ceremony was held at Marine Corps Base Quantico’s 395-acre Transportation Demonstration Support Area on Sept. 29, 2022. Mullins was instrumental to the development, acquisition and fielding of the ACV, designed and built to replace the Corps’ legacy AAVs, which have been in service since 1972.

Marine Corps Systems Command Chief Technology Officer, Luis Velazquez, briefs U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen participating in the Program Executive Officer Land Systems internship program at X Corps Solutions in Stafford, Virginia, Aug. 12, 2022. Launched in 2013, the PEO Land Systems internship program provides an avenue for midshipmen to gain practical skills and hands-on experience in military acquisitions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Mark Hoots) - Marine Corps Systems Command Chief Technology Officer, Luis Velazquez, briefs U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen participating in the Program Executive Officer Land Systems internship program at X Corps Solutions in Stafford, Virginia, Aug. 12, 2022. Launched in 2013, the PEO Land Systems internship program provides an avenue for midshipmen to gain practical skills and hands-on experience in military acquisitions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Mark Hoots)

A small unmanned aerial system flies over Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, California. Program Executive Officer Land Systems recently started delivering the Installation-Counter small Unmanned Aircraft Systems system to select Marine Corps installations. Known as I-CsUAS, the system is designed to protect Marine Corps installations by detecting, identifying, tracking and defeating small UASes such as commercially-available drones. (U.S. Navy photo by Ensign Drew Verbis) - A small unmanned aerial system flies over Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, California. Program Executive Officer Land Systems recently started delivering the Installation-Counter small Unmanned Aircraft Systems system to select Marine Corps installations. Known as I-CsUAS, the system is designed to protect Marine Corps installations by detecting, identifying, tracking and defeating small UASes such as commercially-available drones. (U.S. Navy photo by Ensign Drew Verbis)

Program Executive Officer Land Systems Ground-Based Air Defense Program Manager, Don Kelley, shows the expeditionary launcher of the Medium-Range Intercept Capability prototype to Marine Corps senior leaders following a successful test demonstration of the system at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, June 30, 2022. The MRIC prototype is the Marine Corps’ proposed new counter-cruise missile capability. During the test, the MRIC prototype successfully hit several simultaneously-launched cruise missile targets. (U.S. Army photo by John Hamilton) - Program Executive Officer Land Systems Ground-Based Air Defense Program Manager, Don Kelley, shows the expeditionary launcher of the Medium-Range Intercept Capability prototype to Marine Corps senior leaders following a successful test demonstration of the system at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, June 30, 2022. The MRIC prototype is the Marine Corps’ proposed new counter-cruise missile capability. During the test, the MRIC prototype successfully hit several simultaneously-launched cruise missile targets. (U.S. Army photo by John Hamilton)

Awarding Excellence: MCSC Marines, civilians recognized for acquisition efforts - The Marine Corps’ Deputy Commandant for Information Lt. Gen. Matthew Glavy speaks about the importance of embracing change during Marine Corps Systems Command’s Acquisition Excellence Awards, Aug. 23 at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. The AE Awards is an annual event recognizing Marines and civilians for their acquisition efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Samantha Bates)

Deputy Commandant of the Marine Corps for Combat Development and Integration Lt. Gen. Eric Smith provided keynote remarks during the third annual Marine Corps Acquisition Awards Dinner Aug. 5 in Arlington, Virginia. The event, hosted by the Marine Corps Association, celebrated the accomplishments and achievements of the top performers in Marine Corps acquisitions. Honorees Col. Kirk Mullins, Master Gunnery Sgt. Alfredo Franco, and Deborah Olsen received the Andrew J. Higgins, Eugene M. Stoner and Donald Roebling Awards for Acquisition Innovation and Excellence. The Higgins, Stoner and Roebling Awards are honors bestowed annually to a Marine Corps officer, noncommissioned officer and civilian acquisition professional, respectively. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Morgan Blackstock) - Deputy Commandant of the Marine Corps for Combat Development and Integration Lt. Gen. Eric Smith provided keynote remarks during the third annual Marine Corps Acquisition Awards Dinner Aug. 5 in Arlington, Virginia. The event, hosted by the Marine Corps Association, celebrated the accomplishments and achievements of the top performers in Marine Corps acquisitions. Honorees Col. Kirk Mullins, Master Gunnery Sgt. Alfredo Franco, and Deborah Olsen received the Andrew J. Higgins, Eugene M. Stoner and Donald Roebling Awards for Acquisition Innovation and Excellence. The Higgins, Stoner and Roebling Awards are honors bestowed annually to a Marine Corps officer, noncommissioned officer and civilian acquisition professional, respectively. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Morgan Blackstock)

U.S. Marines with 12th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division, adjust a Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar system at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 10, 2020. The G/ATOR provides an air defense and surveillance capability and is used to locate enemy weapon systems. Having these capabilities further enhances Marines’ missions and increases lethality. G/ATOR is one of the Corps’ key capabilities supporting Force Design 2030. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Savannah Mesimer) - U.S. Marines with 12th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division, adjust a Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar system at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 10, 2020. The G/ATOR provides an air defense and surveillance capability and is used to locate enemy weapon systems. Having these capabilities further enhances Marines’ missions and increases lethality. G/ATOR is one of the Corps’ key capabilities supporting Force Design 2030. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Savannah Mesimer)