U.S. Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command
Emblem of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command
ActiveJanuary 21, 2010 – present
Country United States of America
Branch United States Marine Corps
RoleCyber operations
Part of U.S. Cyber Command
U.S. Space Command
Garrison/HQFort Meade, Maryland, U.S.
Nickname(s)"MARFORCYBER"
Motto(s)Semper in proelio[1]
Websitewww.marforcyber.marines.mil
Commanders
CommanderMajGen Ryan P. Heritage[2]
Sergeant MajorSgtMaj Jay D. Williamson
Cyber Technology OfficerShery S. Thomas [3]
Notable
commanders

The U.S. Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command (abbreviated as MARFORCYBER[4]) is a functional formation of the United States Marine Corps to protect critical infrastructure from cyberattack.[5] Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command is the Marine Corps component to U.S. Cyber Command. It comprises a command element, the Marine Corps Cyber Operations Group, and the Marine Corps Cyber Warfare Group, a total of approximately 800 personnel.[6] MARFORCYBER was established on January 21, 2010 under the command of LtGen George J. Flynn,.[5] As of 7 July 2021, MajGen Ryan P. Heritage is in command.

Overview

The Secretary of Defense recognized the significance of the cyberspace domain to national security, and directed the establishment of CYBERCOM as a sub-unified command under STRATCOM. CYBERCOM's primary objective is to integrate the cyberspace operations capabilities of the services and agencies in support of the National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace (NSSC).[7]

In response, the Marine Corps established MARFORCYBER[8] in October 2009 (this was complemented by the standing up of the Fleet Cyber Command, U.S. Army Cyber Command (ARCYBER), and Air Force Cyberspace Command (AFCYBER). MARFORCYBER's mission, in addition to its standard service component responsibilities, is to: plan, coordinate, integrate, synchronize, and direct the Corps' full spectrum of cyberspace operations. This includes Department of Defense (DoD) Information Network (DoDIN)[9] operations, Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO), and planning and, when required, executing Offensive Cyberspace Operations (OCO). These operations support MAGTF, Joint and combined cyberspace requirements that enable freedom of action across all warfighting domains and deny the same to adversarial forces.

Subordinate Units

Marine Corps Cyberspace Operations Group

MCCOG[10] directs global Network Operations (NETOPS) and computer network defense of the Marine Corps Enterprise Network (MCEN)[11] and to provide technical leadership in support of Marine and joint forces operating worldwide. The MCCOG is also responsible for intelligence gathering and analysis to develop future capabilities planning in accordance with DCO.

The MCCOG is the Computer Network Defense Service Provider (CNDSP)[12] and serves as the Corps' Global Network Operations and Security Center (GNOSC). The MCCOG provides 24/7 NETOPS C2 through its Operations Center. Under the OPCON (operational command) of MARFORCYBER, the MCCOG executes Information NETOPS and DCO in support of operational requirements in order to enhance freedom of action across all warfighting domains, while denying the efforts of adversaries to degrade or disrupt this advantage through cyberspace.

Key MCCOG tasks include:

Marine Corps Cyber Warfare Group

MCCYWG[13] is an administrative headquarters that organizes, trains, equips, provides administrative support, manages readiness of assigned forces, and recommends certification and presentation of Cyber Mission Force (CMF) Teams to U.S. Cyber Command.

Key MCCYWG tasks include:

Marine Corps Information Command

The Marine Corps Information Command (MARCOR INFOCOM) [14] was established on 1 October 2022 to provide the Marine Corps with an operational command that was capable of unifying information-related capabilities and functions to support Fleet Marine Forces (FMF) in competition and crisis. Creation of MARFOR INFOCOM was directed by the Commandant of the Marine Corps in the May 2022 Annual Update to Force Design 2030. [15] MARCOR INFOCOM is not “subordinate” to MARFOR CYBERCOM, but the Commander of MARFOR CYBERCOM also serves as the Commanding General (CG) of MARCOR INFOCOM.

MARCOR INFOCOM comprises a headquarters staff and the following units:


List of commanders

No. Commander Term
Portrait Name Took office Left office Term length
1
George J. Flynn
Lieutenant General
George J. Flynn		21 January 20102013~2 years, 346 days
2
Vincent R. Stewart
Major General
Vincent R. Stewart		201321 January 2015~2 years, 20 days
3
Daniel J. O'Donohue
Major General
Daniel J. O'Donohue		21 January 2015September 2015~223 days
4
Loretta Reynolds
Major General
Loretta Reynolds		September 20152 July 2018~2 years, 304 days
5
Matthew Glavy
Major General
Matthew Glavy		2 July 20187 July 20213 years, 5 days
6
Ryan P. Heritage
Major General
Ryan P. Heritage		7 July 2021Incumbent2 years, 209 days

References

  1. ^ Marine Forces Cyberspace Command [@MARFORCYBER] (February 24, 2017). "Marine Forces Cyberspace Command Motto" (Tweet). Retrieved 2018-07-03 – via Twitter.
  2. ^ Pomerleau, Mark (2021-07-09). "US Marines get new cyber boss". Defense News.
  3. ^ Thomas, Shery. "Shery S Thomas SES" (PDF). US Navy.
  4. ^ "Military Department Organization for Cyber Operations: George J. Flynn". Congressional Testimony. 23 September 2010. Archived from the original on 28 March 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
  5. ^ a b McCombs, Alan J. (29 January 2010). "Marines launch into cyberspace mission with new command". army.mil. U.S. Army News Archive. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  6. ^ Flynn, George J. (23 September 2010). "Statement of LtGen George J. Flynn, Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration, Before the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats, and Capabilities of the House Armed Services Committee Concerning Operating In the Digital Domain: Organizing the Military Departments For Cyber Operations". House Armed Services Committee. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
  7. ^ "The National Strategy to Secure CyberSpace: February 2013" (PDF). U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. CERT. February 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  8. ^ "U.S. Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace (MARFORCYBER)". Marine Corps Concepts and Programs. 27 February 2015. Archived from the original on 22 July 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  9. ^ Klooster, Larry (14 November 2013). "Operating and Defending the DoD Information Networks (DoDIN): DoDIN Operations and Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO)" (PDF). DISA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  10. ^ McMorries, Col. David W (7 March 2013). "Marine Corps Cyber Operations Group" (PDF). Marine Corps Cyber Operations Group. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  11. ^ a b "Marine Corps Enterprise Network (MCEN)" (PDF). HQMC C4. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  12. ^ "DISA's Computer Network Defense Service Provider Program (CNDSP)" (PDF). DISA. 7 May 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  13. ^ "U.S. Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace (MARFORCYBER)". 18 January 2017. Archived from the original on 22 July 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  14. ^ Pomerleau, Mark (26 October 2022). "Marine Corps Information Command to be activated in FY23, commanded by the service's cyber and space leader". Scoop News Group. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  15. ^ "Force Design 2030, Annual Update, May 2022" (PDF). HQMC CMC. Retrieved 20 December 2022.

See also

Categories