News

Sgt. Maj. Robin Fortner, retired, spoke at the Acquisition Excellence Awards about the importance of teamwork within the acquisition workforce for the Marine warfighter at Marine Base Quantico, Va., Aug. 20, 2025. - Guest speaker and former Marine Corps Systems Command Sergeant Major, Sgt. Maj. Robin Fortner, retired, spoke at the Acquisition Excellence Awards about the importance of teamwork within the acquisition workforce for the Marine warfighter at Marine Base Quantico, Va., Aug. 20, 2025. Wednesday’s ceremony marked the 21st anniversary of the Acquisition Excellence Awards. The professional achievements of four individuals will also be recognized at the Marine Corps Association Acquisition Awards on Sept. 18, 2025. (Official Marine Corps Systems Command photo by Kirk McKoy)

Marines use a 5G expeditionary transmission system during a field training exercise at Camp Lejeune, N.C. - Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force Communication Strategy and Operations use a 5G expeditionary transmission system during a field training exercise at Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 21, 2025. The system enables forward-deployed units to securely transmit high-resolution imagery and video in real time from austere environments. The training allowed Marines to evaluate the system’s speed, reliability, and ease of use under realistic operational conditions. (Official Marine Corps Systems Command photo by Joel Rivera-Camacho) (This photo has been altered to remove implied endorsement by blurring a company logo.)

Pfc. James Sullivan, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, poses for a photo during a limited user evaluation of the Military Light Frame at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. - Pfc. James Sullivan, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, poses for a photo during a limited user evaluation of the Military Light Frame at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 15, 2025. Marine Corps Systems Command is conducting a nine-month survey across multiple units to assess and compare commercial frame options for the standard issue main pack. The evaluation is part of ongoing efforts to improve individual load carriage systems for operational effectiveness. (Official Marine Corps Systems Command photo by Kristiana Montanez)

Staff Sgt. Dunn, a representative for Tactical Communications and Electromagnetic Warfare Systems (TCE), and Master Sgt. Daniel Brown, II Marine Expeditionary Force Communications Strategy and Operations, conduct setup and alignment of a Star Shield antenna during an Expeditionary Field Training Exercise at Camp Lejeune, N.C. - Staff Sgt. Dunn, a representative for Tactical Communications and Electromagnetic Warfare Systems (TCE), and Master Sgt. Daniel Brown, II Marine Expeditionary Force Communications Strategy and Operations, conduct setup and alignment of a Star Shield antenna during an Expeditionary Field Training Exercise at Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 21, 2025. The field training supports implementation of emerging communication systems within the operational environment.

Civilian Marines Todd Towles and Trevor Scott discuss Marine Corps boots and uniforms with Sgt. Maj. Carlos A. Ruiz - Todd Towles, team lead for Clothing and Equipment, Combat Service Support Equipment (CSSE), and Trevor Scott, mechanical engineer and product manager for CSSE, discuss footwear going through Marine Corps Systems Command’s Optional Boot Program with Sgt. Maj. Carlos A. Ruiz, during the 2025 Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Symposium July, 17, 2025. Colonel Paul Gillikin, program manager for Combat Support Systems, spoke at this year's event, which took place inside the Jack C. Taylor Conference Center at the United States Naval Academy, discussing acquisition constraints and gaps impacting implementation across the service. "I want to hear from Marines," said Gillikin. "Everyone has a voice. We have a sacred duty to the fleet to listen."

U.S. Marines and civilian personnel receive and inspect the Handheld Radio Test Set (HHRTS) during fielding with II Marine Expeditionary Force at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., on May 21, 2025. - U.S. Marines and civilian personnel receive and inspect the Handheld Radio Test Set (HHRTS) during fielding with II Marine Expeditionary Force at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., on May 21, 2025. HHRTS is a portable, all-in-one diagnostics tool designed to support tactical radio maintenance at the field level, eliminating the need to retrograde systems for basic troubleshooting.

Army and Marine Corps representatives, along with industry partners, in a group photo in front of a Future Soldier banner - Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier’s Soldier Integration Facility (SIF) team joined forces with Marine Corps Systems Command’s Gruntworks to showcase Marine and Army equipment for Future Soldier Technology USA attendees at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., on June 12, 2025. Hosted by Mark Richter and the Gruntworks team, the event gave attendees an exclusive look at the novel integration approaches both organizations leverage to ensure that dismounted soldiers and Marines are equipped with the most lethal and capable gear. This collaboration between PEO Soldier and Marine Corps Systems Command underscores the strength of the Army–Marine Corps partnership to modernize and equip warfighters for the future fight. (Official U.S. Army photo by Kristofer Hutsell)

Acquisition professionals observe presentations from industry partners at the Reverse Industry Day. - Marine Corps Systems Command hosted its inaugural Reverse Industry Day in the Gray Research Center at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., May 5, 2025. More than 100 acquisition professionals attended the event in person and another 150 individuals contributed online. Reverse Industry Day is a forum where industry representatives present their perspectives and experiences to government acquisition and program professionals. According to Systems Command’s Director of Contracts Constance Ealey, their vision for Reverse Industry Day was to create a venue for open dialogue where industry partners could provide their personal insights and perspectives. To learn more about the Marine Corps acquisition process, visit www.marcorsyscom.marines.mil. (Official Marine Corps Systems Command photo by Clinton Firstbrook)

Introducing Capt. Billy Barefoot: The Devil Dog of Wall Street - Capt. Billy Barefoot is pictured above at the 2023 MCA Acquisition Awards Dinner in Alexandria, Va., where he served as the evening’s awards narrator. The yearly dinner is a joint MCSC-MCA effort that provides a formal venue to recognize the professional achievements of the top performers in Marine Corps Acquisition. (Marine Corps photo by Jim Van Meer)

Fielding the Radios of the Future with MARCORSYSCOM - A Marine Corps radio operator programs a PRC-152 multiband handheld radio during a blackout communication exercise at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 29, 2020. Expected in the field by 2024, the Corps’ new handheld multichannel radios will provide the Fleet Marine Force with an enhanced capability that increases resiliency and survivability through network interoperability during missions involving both ground and vehicular based forces.