2026 Communication Strategy and Operations (COMMSTRAT) Training and Leadership Development Summit (TLDS) Calling Message

1.  This calling message provides information for
the COMMSTRAT TLDS and the United States Marine Corps Combat
Correspondents Association (USMCCCA) Awards Banquet taking place 3-7
August 2026.
2.  These events will be hosted by the Director of Communication,
Communication Directorate, Headquarters Marine Corps.
3.  Purpose.  The TLDS, held 3-7 August 2026, will be committed to
equipping our Marines with the strategic acumen and tactical
proficiency required to execute Public Affairs (PA) and Combat
Camera (COMCAM) operations within the Information Environment (IE).
Beyond technical training, the TLDS fosters a culture of continuous
learning, leadership development, and operational excellence to
ensure COMMSTRAT Marines remain postured for future conflict. It is
imperative to cultivate a generation of communicators and Visual
Information (VI) professionals capable of employing VI with an
operational mindset in support of service and joint force
objectives.
4.  TLDS participants.  This year's TLDS will be conducted via two
distinct training tracks: one for Staff Noncommissioned Officers
(SNCOs) (E6-E7) and Officers (O2-O3), and another for
Noncommissioned Officers (NCOs) (E4-E5).  The SNCO and Officer track
is designed to enhance leadership and management capabilities and
will cover data-driven capabilities briefs, standardized playbooks,
and operational planning. The NCO track is a hands-on, practical
application focused on covering supply and maintenance procedures,
pre-production and production planning, and advanced visual
information techniques.  Both tracks will emphasize the new
functional area checklist and the use of the Training and Readiness
(T&R) Manual and certification process through the Marine Corps
Training Information Management System (MCTIMS) to ensure our
Marines are prepared to meet the challenges of a modern information
environment.
5.  The following commands are requested to send 45XX Marines within
their commands for the TLDS:
5.a.  Marine Forces Pacific (2 PAX).
5.b.  Marine Forces Command/North (1 PAX).
5.c.  Marine Forces Reserve/South (2 PAX).
5.d.  Marine Forces Central Command (1 PAX).
5.e.  Marine Forces Europe/Africa (2 PAX).
5.f.  Marine Forces Special Operations Command (1 PAX).
5.g.  I Marine Expeditionary Force (8 PAX).
5.h.  II Marine Expeditionary Force (8 PAX).
5.i.  III Marine Expeditionary Force (6 PAX).
5.j.  Marine Corps Information Command (1 PAX).
5.k.  Marine Corps Installations West (4 PAX).
5.l.  Marine Corps Installations East (4 PAX).
5.m.  Marine Corps Installations Pacific (4 PAX).
5.n.  Marine Corps Recruiting Command (4 PAX).
5.o.  Marine Detachment Fort Meade/DINFOS (2 PAX).
5.p.  War Media Activity/AFN (2 PAX).
5.q.  Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (1 PAX).
5.r.  Training and Education Command (6 PAX).
5.s.  Marine Corps Systems Command (Project Officers) (1 PAX).
5.t.  Marine Corps Base Quantico (4 PAX).
5.u.  Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration (1
PAX).
5.v.  Production and Engagement, Communication Directorate (3 PAX).
5.w.  Marine Barracks Washington (1 PAX).
5.x.  Other (2 PAX).
6.  2025 Visual Information and Excellence in Communication (VIEC)
Award winners will be recognized during the 4 August 2026 USMCCCA
Awards Banquet.  All 2025 COMMSTRAT Marine of the Year, COMMSTRAT
SNCO of the Year, COMMSTRAT VIO of the Year, COMMSTRAT Officer of
the Year, COMMSTRAT Unit of the Year representative, Communication
Plan of the Year representative, Visual Information Plan of the Year
representative, Communication Strategy of the Year representative,
Marine Corps Communicator of the Year, Marine Corps Graphic Designer
of the Year, Marine Corps Photographer of the Year, Marine Corps
Videographer of the Year, Marine Corps Writer of the Year, and all
first, second, and third-place finishers will receive recognition.
6.a.  All TLDS and USMCCCA Awards Banquet attendees and
participants, per paragraphs 4 and 5, must register no later than 19
July 2026. Use the following link to register:
https:(slash)(slash)forms.osi.apps.mil(slash)r(slash)HdD9dFXXkH
7.  Coordinating Instructions.
7.a.  NCOs attending TLDS must bring their assigned program of
record visual information acquisition and editing equipment.
7.b.  SNCOs and Officers attending TLDS must bring their issued
Marine Corps Enterprise Network (MCEN) laptops.
7.c.  Commands requesting additional participation should contact
the POC for approval prior to the registration deadline.  Any unused
quotas will be distributed to other units.
7.d.  The uniform for the TLDS is MARPAT woodland combat utilities,
sleeves up, with eight-point covers. The uniform for the USMCCCA
Awards Banquet is Blue Dress "A."  SNCOs and Officers will wear
white trousers; NCOs and below will wear blue trousers.  Mess dress
is not authorized.
7.e.  Location. All events will take place aboard Marine Corps Base
Quantico, VA.  The USMCCCA Awards Banquet will take place at The
Clubs at Quantico, Crossroads Events Center, 3017 Russell Rd,
Quantico, VA 22134.  The TLDS will take place at Billeb Hall, 3078
Upshur Ave, Quantico, VA 22134.
7.f.  Travel.  Travel days for the TLDS are 2 and 8 August 2026.
Travel days for personnel attending only the USMCCCA Awards Banquet
are 3 and 5 August 2026.  TLDS participants attending the banquet
require no additional travel days, as the banquet falls within the
TLDS period.  All travel expenses are a unit responsibility.
Travelers from outside the continental United States should be
afforded additional travel days at the discretion of their commands.
7.g.  Lodging.  Forty rooms at Inns of the Corps Quantico have been
reserved under group booking confirmation #3692. To reserve a room,
call (703) 630-4444.  An additional 30 rooms have been reserved at
Marine Lodge Quantico under group booking confirmation #3695.  To
reserve a room, call (703) 432-1341.  When booking, provide group
name, arrival and departure dates, and preferred room type.
Participants are responsible for coordinating their own lodging with
Inns of the Corps Quantico or Marine Lodge Quantico staff.
Reservations must be made no later than 19 July 2026, aligned with
the registration form deadline established in paragraph 6.a.  Any
unreserved rooms will be released after this date.
7.h.  Attendees and commands must comply with REF B concerning the
Government Travel Charge Card Program (GTCCP).  DTS will identify
the 2026 max per diem rate for Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA.
7.i.  Transportation.  For TLDS participants, transportation will be
provided to and from billeting and training areas.  All other
transportation is the responsibility of the unit.
7.j.  Cell phones and computers are authorized. Wi-Fi and power will
be available at all locations.
7.k.  Questions related to the TLDS and USMCCCA Awards Banquet should
be sent to the CD OFS POC listed above.  Coordinating instructions
and the finalized agenda will be provided to confirmed attendees no
later than 29 July 2026.
8. Release authorized by Colonel John O. Caldwell, Director, 
Communication Directorate, Headquarters Marine Corps.