FY27 Ground Combat Element Commanders' Course

1.  Situation.  In November 2017, the ground board
endorsed the formalization of a Ground Combat Element Commanders' 
Course (GCECC) and requested Marine Corps Tactics and Operations 
Group (MCTOG) facilitate the development and delivery of a GCECC to 
better prepare GCE commanders to lead, train, and tactically employ 
their battalions and regiments in the context of maneuver warfare, 
in support of the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF).
2.  Mission.  Execute a five-day operationally focused command 
preparation course to better ready GCE commanders to lead, train, and
tactically employ their battalions and regiments in the context of 
maneuver warfare in multi-domain operations against peer competitors 
in support of the MAGTF.
3.  Execution.
3.a.  Commander's Intent.
3.a.1.  Purpose.  To enhance GCE Commanders' readiness to command in 
today's complex operating environment.
3.a.2.  Method.  The GCECC will be a highly focused, high payoff
engagement designed to prepare GCE Commanders for the biggest 
challenges of their careers.  The course is educationally unique and 
seeks to leverage and expand upon a career's worth of training, 
education, and experience.  This experiential learning approach of 
declarative knowledge, sense making, and problem-solving will further
develop the adaptive capacity in commanders.
3.a.3.  Endstate.  GCE Commanders are better prepared to tactically 
employ, train, and lead their command within the context of maneuver 
warfare in multi-domain operations against peer competitors in 
support of the MAGTF.
3.b.  Concept of Operations.  MCTOG conducts GCECC at Marine Air
Ground Combat Center twice per fiscal year iot afford the opportunity
for all FY27 O-5 and O-6 commanders slated for GCE commands to attend
prior to or within the first six months of assuming command.
3.c.  Coordinating instructions.
3.c.1.  Eligibility.  GCE Command slated Colonels, and Lieutenant
Colonel selects on the FY27 command screening boards (per the refs).
3.c.2.  FY27 course dates.
3.c.2.a.  MCTOG executes GCECC 27-1, 7 – 11 December 2026.
3.c.2.b.  MCTOG executes GCECC 27-2, 19 – 23 April 2027.
3.c.3.  Registration.  registration is hosted by MCTOG via email to
MCTOG PCOs noted in this message.
3.c.3.a.  Registration deadline for GCECC 27-1 is 7 November 2026.
3.c.3.b.  Registration deadline for GCECC 27-2 is 13 March 2026.
4.  Admin and Logistics
4.a.  Submit visit request in diss with the following information:
4.a.1.  SMO code: M30016
4.a.2.  Event name: GCECC 27-1 or GCECC 27-2
4.a.3.  Event POC: Alex w. Barron/ Civ/ dep OPSO
4.a.4.  Dates: GCECC 27-1: 7-11dec 2026 or GCECC 27-2:
19-23 Apr 2027.
4.a.5.  Classification level: Secret
4.a.6.  Security PCO: Carolina Vanmeerbeek/ Civ/ Security Specialist
4.b.  Each attendee arranges his or her own billeting.  if government
lodging cannot be obtained attendees must ensure they get a letter of
non-availability.  lodging reservations can be made at:
Primary: Road Runner inn (760) 830-6642
Secondary:  Inns of the corps mountain view (760) 830-1054
other:  Holiday inn express: (760) 361-1000,  best western:
(760) 367-9141, or Fairfield inn: (760) 361-5000
4.c.  Funding.
4.c.1.  Course attendance is unit funded.
4.c.2.  Departure flights should be scheduled for the day after the 
last scheduled training event.
4.c.3.  Support personnel are funded by MCTOG.  Detailed information
for support personnel will be published via separate correspondence 
for each course.
4.d.  Uniform:  desert digital MARPAT uniform, sleeves down.
5.  Command and signal
5.a.  Command.  Omitted.
5.b.  Signal.  Questions or comments regarding this message are
directed to MCTOG POCs.
6. Release Authorized by Lieutenant General T. B. Savage, Deputy 
Commandant for Training and Education / Commanding General, Training 
and Education Command