Publication and Availability of First to Fight: A Capstone Operating Concept

1. In January 2026, the Commandant of the 
Marine Corps approved First to Fight: A Capstone Operating Concept. 
The concept can be accessed via the following links: 
1.a. Unclassified executive summary: 
https:(slash)(slash)usmc.sharepoint-
mil.us/sites/DCCDI/SitePages/Final_Reports.aspx 
1.b. Classified concept library: 
https:(slash)(slash)intelshare.intelink.sgov.gov/sites/cdi/SitePages
/FinalReportsLibrary.aspx 
2. Background. First to Fight: A Capstone Operating Concept 
reinforces our enduring commitment to serve as the premier 
expeditionary force in-readiness of the United States, preparing to
defeat our nations' adversaries in any clime and place. Sustaining
this vision requires accelerated modernization to ensure Marines are
fully trained, organized, and equipped for the rapidly evolving
challenges of future warfare. 
3. Purpose and Scope. First to Fight outlines the Marine Corps' 
approach to operating, fighting, and winning in joint campaigns from 
now to 2035. This capstone concept synthesizes approved operating 
concepts, force development activities, and lessons learned into a 
single, cohesive vision. Marines being first to fight, remain in 
forward contested environments, and operate alongside the Navy and 
joint force. Achieving this vision requires the rapid adoption of
new operating methods as well as the acceleration of ongoing
initiatives in how the Marine Corps operates, postures, organizes,
and innovates. 
4. Central Idea. First to Fight: Our Nation's Expeditionary Force in 
Readiness. The Marine Corps is a globally responsive, lethal, and 
resilient combined-arms naval expeditionary force that projects
power from sea to land and land to sea, fighting as a Marine Air
Ground Task Force across all domains in contested environments to
deter, deny, and defeat adversaries. Marines conduct sea denial, 
contribute to sea control, and conduct amphibious operations to
deny adversary freedom of action, while extending Joint Force 
commanders' operational reach. Modernized forward forces, optimized
to operate in the littorals, seize and hold key maritime terrain
to deliver lethal effects, sense and shape the operating 
environment, and close kill webs in support of fleet maneuver and
joint campaigns. 
5. Operating Concepts. First to Fight adds to the library of active 
Marine Corps and Naval operating concepts, which consists of: 
5a. Littoral Operations in a Contested Environment (LOCE), 2017. 
5.b. Concept for Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO),
2019. 
5.c. A Concept for Stand-in Forces (SIF), 2021. 
5.d. Concept for Naval and Special Operations Forces Operations 
(CNSO), 2023. 
5.e. Naval Concept for Distributed Maritime Logistics Operations 
(DMLO), 2023. 
5.f. Marine Corps Concept for Logistics (MCCL), 2024. 
5.g. A Concept for 21st Century Amphibious Operations (21 CA0),
2025.
6. Collectively, the family of naval operating concepts is
continuing to guide Marine Corps modernization.
7. This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force. 
8. Release authorized by Lieutenant General Eric E. Austin, Deputy 
Commandant for Combat Development and Integration.