We talk a lot about fielding equipment here on the podcast, but the command’s work doesn’t stop once equipment is in the hands of Marines. Things like maintenance, modernization, software updates, and technical support continue through the life of the equipment. And for some systems, included in that is 24/7 technical support provided by the Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity’s Warfighter Support Division, or WSD. On this episode Morgan talks with Rick Bobst, Deputy Director of...

As the Marine Corps continues to modernize to meet Force Design goals, innovation is critical. Cue: Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratory, or STRL, designation for the Marine Corps Tactical Support Activity – which is enabling them to operate more like a warfare center. On this episode, Morgan dives into the STRL designation with two guests: Mr. Tim Gramp, the Marine Corps’ chief engineer and Marine Corps Systems Command’s Deputy to the Commander, Systems Engineering and...

In acquisition, we often have to strike a balance between getting gear out quickly and abiding by federal contract regulations. However, in some cases our command is able to use specific contract vehicles to better meet the “speed of need.” On this episode, Morgan chats with Jack Cave, Division Head for Program Support. 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...

Today is a very special day in Equipping the Corps history as Morgan welcomes our first ever return guest, Col. Tim Hough. Col. Hough is the program manager for Advanced Amphibious Assault, and he and his team are leading the development and fielding efforts for the Amphibious Combat Vehicle – the Corps’ next-generation vehicle designed to move Marines from ship to shore. Book: Meditations by Marcus Aurelius Podcast: Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend, Smartless, It's a True Crime Movie:...

On this episode, Morgan sits down with Maj. Conor Stewart, Project Officer for the Individual Armor team here at SYSCOM. Ensuring the Marine Corps is a premiere fighting force starts with the individual Marine, from packs to body armor, Maj Stewart’s team is leading the way. 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: Show...

Someone once said, “Seconds are hours on the battlefield – especially when it comes to the Low Altitude Air Defense community.” The Marine Air Defense Integrated System, or MADIS, is the Marine Corps’ newest asset in counter-unmanned aircraft systems operations and brings the Corps one step closer to air dominance. On this episode, Morgan chats with GySgt Mattheau Ross, MADIS 1.0 Training SME and Assistant Project Officer. The views expressed in this podcast reflect those of the speakers...

The Marine Corps is continuing to modernize and adapt for the future fight – with logistics playing a critical role. On this episode, Morgan sits down with Verne Ashby, Jr. the assistant program manager for Logistics supporting PM Infantry Weapons on the show! 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: The...

On today’s episode, Morgan chats with Master Sergeant Juan Lopez Jr., an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Project Officer. EOD supports Operating Forces by providing force protection to include locating, accessing, identifying, rendering safe, neutralizing, and destruction of foreign and domestic hazardous materials. 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...

On this episode, Morgan sits down with Maj Sean Docherty, a Product Manager working on tactical applications, software, and services modernization. Some of may think about your network at home, but have you considered Marines need network services in the field? If not, after today you will! 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...

PM GBAD fields and sustains fully integrated ground to air defense solutions that detect, track, defend and defeat the enemies’ air threat that seek to harm or kill Marines and other high value assets. ON this episode, Morgan chats with Courtney Moore, a logistician for Light Marine Air-Defense Integrated System. 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...

On today’s episode, Morgan chats with Peggy Toth, the Program Manager for Logistics Integrated Information Solutions Marine Corps. For those who haven’t heard of LI2S-MC, they deliver and sustains Logistics Information Technology solutions to enable USMC Logistics operations across the enterprise. 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...

On the battlefield, proper footwear can be just as important as a weapon. From running across the desert to jumping out of planes, Marines need adequate footwear to take them from point A to point B without injury. On today’s episode, Morgan chats with Todd Towles, program analyst for the Clothing and Equipment Team on boots. . 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...

Today, I’m chatting with CWO3 Joseph DiGirolamo the project officer for our Digital Media Systems team. DMS provides Marine Corps communication professionals the ability to acquire, produce and disseminate VI and reprographic products in support of operational requirements and communication objectives. 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...

Today, we’re chatting with the Portfolio Manager for Command Element Systems, or as well call it ‘CES.’ We all know communication is paramount on the battlefield, and CES is the central hub for command, control, communications and intelligence equipment. 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: TV show: Only Murders in the...

If you’re a long-time listener to Equipping the Corps, you may remember just a year ago when I took the reins from the original host, Manny Pacheco. Today, we’re continuing that tradition as I pass the mic to our new Season 3 host, Ms. Morgan Blackstock. Morgan is a seasoned public affair professional and a certified social butterfly. While Morgan’s name may be new to many of you, you’re actually quite familiar with some of her work as the producer of this podcast. Morgan has been...

Have you ever wondered how the Marine Corps determines how to integrate systems worn and carried by Marines? Cue, Gruntworks Squad Integration Facility. In recent years, the Marine Corps rifle squad has undergone modernization efforts to modify its size, armament, and equipment to increase lethality, expand capabilities, and achieve victory on new battlefields. Our Gruntworks facility here at Quantico is critical to modernizing the Marine Rifle Squad. On this episode, Tripp chats with Mark...

The Program Manager for Training Systems is Marine Corps Systems Command’s executive agent assigned to manage acquisition and life-cycle support of Marine Corps ground training systems, devices, and training support services. Behind the scenes, engineers, logisticians, project managers, and more are tasked with bringing emerging training system to Marines to not just prepare for the fight, but to increase their survivability on the battlefield. On this episode, Tripp chats with Robert...

The Marine Corps is currently mid-Force Design 2030 implementation and depending on where you sit: Active Duty, Reserve, Retired, a member of a sister service, curious taxpayer, or one of our many Allies/Partners; you are aware of some of the paradigm-shifting changes. Much of the information provided to these audiences is post-decisional. The rigor, applied by the Combat Development and Integration Enterprise, to inform Force Design 2030 modernization efforts is often ignored for the...

Many of us are familiar with the phrase ‘eyes on the sky.’ Well, Program Manager Air Command Control and Sensor Netting also known as PM AC2SN is critical to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force mission success. PM AC2SN acts as the central agent for the research, development, production, deployment, and life cycle management of Aviation Command and Control (AC2) for the Marine Corps operating forces and supporting establishments. On this episode, Tripp chats with Mr. Dayle Wright, Program...

The Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity or MCTSSA, provides 24/7 global technical support for command, control, computer, communications, cyber, and intelligence (C5I) systems; and conducts engineering, testing and evaluation, and supports experimentation on C5I systems and amphibious platforms in order to inform acquisition decisions and make the Fleet Marine Force (FMF) more capable. This week, Tripp sits down with the Commanding Officer for MCTSSA, Col. Craig Clarkson....

Have you ever wondered how we keep our gear and equipment in the fight for the long haul? About 25 years ago, the Marine Corps established the Corrosion Prevention and Control program to extend the useful life of all Marine Corps tactical ground and ground support equipment. From bolts to vehicles, CPAC is attacking the Corps’ corrosion problem with fervor.   On this episode, Tripp chats Eric Brown, the product manager for the CPAC program located in our Logistics Combat Element System...

Combat Development and Integration, or CD&I, is the institutional and intellectual epicenter for the evolution of the Marine Corps. They assess the environment, develop and validate concepts, identify capabilities, and develop solutions to ensure Marine Corps operating forces have the necessary capabilities to remain the world’s foremost expeditionary warfighting organization. As part of CD&I, the Capabilities Development Directorate, or CDD, develops and integrates warfighting...

Mobility is key to survivability. The Marine Corps’ Light Tactical Vehicle Program has over 20,000 pieces of rolling stock in our tactical vehicle fleet. From the joint light tactical vehicle to the ultra-light tactical platform, the Corps’ LTV program is constantly evolving as part of Force Design 2030. The program has a unique mission to divest, field and modernize our fleet to ensure Marines have an unfair advantage for the future fight. Today I’m happy to have Maj Aaron Viana on the...

When you think logistics, your brain may conjure up thoughts of a warehouse full of goods, or the delivery company who didn’t get you that important package in time. But in the world of acquisition, logistics is so much more. Acquisition logistics isn’t just getting equipment from Point A to Point B – SYSCOM’s logisticians have critical input to all phases of the system’s lifecycle. From maintenance considerations, to ensuring the smallest of replacement parts is available, to planning for...