Equipping the Corps

Equipping a Marine doesn’t

Manpower officers plan,

On this episode, we take a

The views expressed in this podcast reflect those of the speakers

Show notes:

Movie recommendation:

Lonesome Dove

The Defense Innovation Unit, or DIU, was established to

DIU is the only DoD organization focused exclusively on

On this episode, Tripp chats with DIU Liaisons Officer to the

The views expressed in this podcast reflect those of the speakers

Show notes:

To learn more visit DIU.mil.

Book recommendations:

The Innovator’s Dilemma by Clayton Christensen

If you open any internet browser and search “3D Printing,” you can find countless items, large and small, that went from idea to reality with the help of 3D printing technology. What you may not know is the Marine Corps also uses this technology to provide organic logistics, supply, and sustainment solutions to the Fleet.

Marine Corps Systems Command’s Advanced Manufacturing Operations Cell, or AMOC, supports the service’s goal to employ advanced manufacturing throughout the Marine Corps. Once referred to as “the Corps’ on-call nerds” by our guest himself, the AMOC issues policy, certifies and stores files of 3D-printed parts, and maintains a 24/7 help desk to assist the Operating Forces in all things advanced manufacturing.

On this episode, Tripp sits down with Maj. Matthew Audette, Advanced Manufacturing Systems Team Lead for the AMOC.

The views expressed in this podcast reflect those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions or the United States Marine Corps or Department of Defense.

Show notes:

Book recommendations:

The Martian by Andy Weir

Project Hail Mary

Neptune’s Inferno: The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal by James D. Hornfischer

Special Operations Forces are historically known to have specialized training and innovative gear to carry out elite missions. They are the first to call for hostage situations, reconnaissance, surveillance and much more. Have you ever wondered how Special Ops have the gear needed to remain safe and lethal?

Established in 1991, the Special Operations Forces Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Center is responsible for all United States Special Operations Command research, development, acquisition, procurement, and logistics. SOF AT&L’s mission is to provide rapid and focused acquisition, technology, and logistics to Special Operations Forces.

Tripp chats with Maj. Jonathan Ritchey, Deputy Program Manager for Technical Collection and Communication at SOF AT&L.

The views expressed in this podcast reflect those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions or the United States Marine Corps or Department of Defense.

Show notes:

A Special Relationship: SOF AT&L and MCSC by Maj. Jonathan Ritchey

https://safe.menlosecurity.com/doc/docview/viewer/docND3B600BF86ACbc3a224a41d30177601fd73c64af85643553b3a9b165a60ee44a6b4963fc8f03

Book recommendations:

A New History of Modern Computing by Thomas Haigh and Paul E. Ceruzzi

AIQ: How People and Machines are Smarter Together by Nick Polson and James Scott

When most people think of a Marine, they first think about lethality, but survivability is another critical component to success on the battlefield. The last thing a Marine wants to be without while forward-deployed is medical equipment and supplies.

Every Marine loves their doc. From bandaging wounds to saving lives, Corpsmen are essential. The Expeditionary Medical Systems Team within the Logistic Combat Element Systems Portfolio is critical to ensuring our medical professionals have the gear, tools and equipment needed in the field.

They provide medical devices and supplies in support of deployed emergency and resuscitative healthcare, meeting or exceeding healthcare provider and warfighter requirements while providing unquestionable value. They are tasked with ensuring Marines have the appropriate equipment so the warfighter gets the medical attention they need as quickly as possible.

On this episode, Tripp chats with Navy CDR Kellye Donovan, pharmacist and program analyst with the EMS team.

The views expressed in this podcast reflect those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions or the United States Marine Corps or Department of Defense.

Show notes:

Podcast recommendations:

American Scandal podcast

American History Tellers podcast

Pharm so Hard podcast

For EMS questions, contact [email protected]

In the Marine Corps, training isn’t something you do just once. Marines are continuously training and improving their skills, from physical fitness to rifle qualifications and beyond. They deepen their knowledge of military strategy through formal education programs and professional development. In addition, they train on how to use our gear properly and effectively. The Marine Corps’ training and Education Command is tasked with equipping Marines with the knowledge and training necessary for the fight.

TECOM provides unit, collective, and service-level training to enhance warfighting organizations that enable the Fleet Marine Force to build and sustain the combat readiness required to fight and win today and in the future. Its Range and Training Programs Division through range and training area management executes integrated programs for range, systems and training environments to achieve the TECOM mission.

On this episode, Tripp sits down with Carlos Hathcock, Head of TECOM’s Range Safety and Design that is a part of Range and Training Area Management.

Show notes:

Marine Sniper: 93 Confirmed Kills by Charles W. Henderson

Surviving and sustaining in an operational environment requires a logistical trail that will be ready and able to deliver the supplies and personnel needed to execute the mission. In short, it requires a fleet of capable haulers that can get the job done in any clime and place. There is no better example of that than the medium and heavy haulers the Marine Corps has been using for the last 20-plus years to get Marines and their gear to the front lines --- the MTVR and LVSR.

The Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement and the Logistics Vehicle System Replacement are the workhorses of the tactical vehicle fleet. The Marine Corps is evolving this vehicle fleet for greater survivability and lethality to ensure that when Marines call, the fleet is ready to roll!

The Marine Corps’ Medium and Heavy Tactical Vehicles program’s mission is to manage the acquisition and life-cycle sustainment of Medium and Heavy Tactical Vehicle systems such as the Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement fleet, Logistics Vehicle System Replacement, Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected Fleet, and the P19R Firefighting Truck.

On this episode, Tripp sits down with Lorrie Owens on the podcast to update us on everything happening in her program. Lorrie is the Program Manager for Medium/Heavy Tactical Vehicles in our Logistics Combat Element Systems portfolio.

The views expressed in this podcast reflect those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions or the United States Marine Corps or Department of Defense.

Show Notes

Book Recommendation

Have you ever wondered how we test gear before it is fielded to Marines? Testing and evaluation is essential for Marine Corps leadership to make independent, objective and defensible acquisition decisions. One organization is tasked with ensuring this is possible - the Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation Activity, also known as MCOTEA.

MCOTEA plans, executes and evaluates materiel solutions against warfighter requirements under realistic conditions to determine operational effectiveness and suitability. MCOTEA plans a major part in many of the systems we develop here at Marine Corps Systems Command. On today's episode, Tripp is joined by Col. Brock McDaniel, Director of MCOTEA.

The views expressed in this podcast reflect those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies or positions of the United States Marine Corps or Department of Defense.

Show Notes

Recommendations:

Force Design 2030 guidance emphasizes the need for "resilient communication architectures capable of closing kill chains in austere environments." With that comes the need to equip our Marines with the communications equipment to meet that mission. Communication and information systems, such as ground radios, are critical to providing Marines reliable, secure and flexible communication networks - a critical component of our warfighter's tool kit. The modern battlespace relies on radios for situational awareness, decision-making and information sharing. 

Product Manager Ground Radios acquires the systems Marines need to communicate securely, including in satellite-denied environments. On this episode, Tripp chats with the Product Manager for Ground Radios, Maj. Joshua Kapp.

The views expressed in this podcast reflect those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions or the United States Marine Corps or Department of Defense.

Show Notes:

Book recommendation - Introduction to the Devout Life by Francis de Sales