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PolicyAffects all reservists

All Marines Must Complete the Basic AI Course by End of 2026

MARADMIN 214/26·May 8, 2026·2 min read·Official source
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The Marine Corps just made AI literacy mandatory for the entire force. Every Marine, active and reserve, officer and enlisted, must complete the Basic AI Course through the Marine Corps eLearning environment (MCELE, formerly MarineNet) no later than 31 December 2026. It takes about 45 minutes and can be done from your phone.

★ Affects all reservists: Complete course code CDETBAIC01 on MCELE by 31 December 2026. It's a one-time requirement, not annual.

Who it affects

All SMCR, IMA, and IRR Marines, every rank, every MOS. This is a Total Force requirement. Civilians working in Marine Corps departments are encouraged to complete it too, but it is not mandatory for them.

What you need to do

  1. Go to https://www.mcele.usmc.mil
  2. Log in with your CAC or username and password.
  3. Search for course code CDETBAIC01.
  4. Complete the course (approximately 45 minutes).

That's it. Completion is recorded automatically in MCTFS and will show on your BTR in MOL. You do not need to report it to your unit separately.

A note on the GenAI.mil links inside the course: that portion requires a CAC-enabled government computer. If you're taking it on a personal device, you can substitute commercially available AI tools (ChatGPT, Copilot, etc.) for those practical exercises. The rest of the course works on any device.

Key dates

  • 31 December 2026: Deadline for all currently serving Marines.
  • Within 12 months of completing entry-level training: Deadline for Marines who enter service after this MARADMIN was released.

The official version

This requirement comes from MARADMIN 214/26. It references the USMC AI Implementation Plan (approved by the Deputy Commandant for Information) and MARADMIN 270/25, which covers other available AI training options across MCELE, JKO, and federal platforms.

For MCELE login or technical issues: call 1-888-435-8762 or email CDET_MCELE_HELPDESK@usmcu.edu.

For questions about the course content: Ryan Bair at ryan.bair@usmcu.edu or Maj Sean P. Morrow at sean.p.morrow@usmc.mil.

This is written by a reservist, for reservists. It is not an official publication of HQMC or MARFORRES. Always verify guidance with your command or unit S-1 before acting on any article or summary.

Resources & references

The documents this bulletin points to, with a plain-English note on why each matters. Links marked CAC required need a government login.

  • USMC AI Implementation Plan (Ref A, DCI/USMC/23APR2025)Reference

    This is the Marine Corps' overarching plan for implementing artificial intelligence, approved by the Deputy Commandant for Information. It aligns all tasks and milestones for the service's approach to AI and is the policy driver behind this mandatory training requirement.

  • AI and Data Management Training Solutions MARADMIN (MARADMIN 270/25)MARADMIN

    This earlier MARADMIN catalogs the current AI and data management training options available to Marines and government civilians. The Basic AI Course MARADMIN directs reservists to it for information on additional courses beyond the mandatory Basic AI Course.

  • Marine Corps eLearning Environment (MCELE)

    This is the portal where the mandatory Basic AI Course (course code CDETBAIC01) is hosted and where completion will be recorded. Every Marine must log in here to complete the training by 31 December 2026.

  • GenAI.mil

    This page requires access from a DoD network, so it cannot be viewed from a personal device or outside connection. If you need it, contact your command's IT service desk for access.

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All Marines Must Complete the Basic AI Course by End of 2026 — Reservable