2026 COMMSTRAT Occupational Field Executive Steering Committee – Calling Message (4–5 August 2026)

R 012010Z JUL 26

MARADMIN 305/26

MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC CD WASHINGTON DC//

SUBJ/2026 COMMUNICATION STRATEGY AND OPERATIONS (COMMSTRAT)

EXECUTIVE STEERING COMMITTEE (ESC) CALLING MESSAGE//

REF/A/MCO 5311.1E TOTAL FORCE MANAGEMENT PROCESS/18 NOV 2015//

REF/B/COMMSTRAT ESC CHARTER/25 NOV 2024//

REF/C/MCO 4600.40C THE GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CHARGE CARD PROGRAM (GTCCP)

/12 JAN 2026//

NARR/REF A PROVIDES AUTHORITY FOR OCCFLD SPONSORS TO CONDUCT TOTAL 

FORCE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES FOR THEIR DESIGNATED FUNCTION. REF B 

PROVIDES PROCEDURES FOR THE CONDUCT OF A 45XX COMMSTRAT OCCFLD ESC. 

REF C PROVIDES POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR THE GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CHARGE 

CARD PROGRAM (GTCCP), GOVERNING TRAVEL CHARGE CARD USE FOR PERSONNEL 

ATTENDING THE ESC AND USMCCCA AWARDS BANQUET.//

POC1/RHODES/SD/MAJ/DEPUTY BRANCH HEAD/OCCFLDSPT/CD/TEL:703-693-4906

/SARAH.RHODES@USMC.MIL

POC2/BURKE/LJ/LTCOL/BRANCH HEAD/OCCFLDSPT/CD/TEL: 703-692-1825

/LUCAS.BURKE@USMC.MIL//

GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  This calling message provides information for

the COMMSTRAT ESC taking place 4-5 August 2026. 

2.  This event will be hosted by the Director of Communication, 

Communication Directorate (CD), Headquarters Marine Corps.

3.  Purpose.  The COMMSTRAT ESC, held 4-5 August 2026, is a vital 

forum for collaboration, planning, and decision-making between 

Headquarters Marine Corps, the operating forces, and the supporting 

establishment on critical issues affecting the COMMSTRAT

Occupational Field (OCCFLD).  The ESC drives initiatives to increase

COMMSTRAT capabilities, employability, development, and readiness in

support of Marine Corps operational and institutional missions.

Additionally, it offers a direct venue for the OCCFLD to provide

ground-level operational perspectives to the Public Affairs (PA),

Visual Information (VI), and Combat Camera (COMCAM) principal

advisor.

4.  ESC participants.  The following commands are requested to send 

45XX leadership that can speak with authority on behalf of their 

respective commanders.  The primary ESC participants from commands

identified shall be either the director, deputy, senior enlisted 

leader, or visual information officer (VIO) (if assigned). 

4.a.  Marine Forces Pacific (2 PAX). 

4.b.  Marine Forces Command/North (2 PAX). 

4.c.  Marine Forces Reserve/South (2 PAX). 

4.d.  Marine Forces Central Command (2 PAX). 

4.e.  Marine Forces Europe/Africa (2 PAX). 

4.f.  Marine Forces Japan (1 PAX).   

4.g.  Marine Forces Special Operations Command (2 PAX).

4.h.  I Marine Expeditionary Force (6 PAX).

4.i.  II Marine Expeditionary Force (6 PAX).

4.j.  III Marine Expeditionary Force (6 PAX).

4.k.  Marine Corps Installations Command (1 PAX).

4.l.  Marine Corps Installations West (2 PAX).

4.m.  Marine Corps Installations East (2 PAX).

4.n.  Marine Corps Installations Pacific (2 PAX).

4.o.  Marine Corps Recruiting Command (2 PAX).

4.p.  Deputy Commandant Installations and Logistics (1 PAX).

4.q.  Deputy Commandant Combat Development & Integration 

(CIO and DIR) (2 PAX).

4.r.  Training and Education Command (1 PAX).

4.s.  Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs 

(1 PAX).

4.t.  Deputy Commandant for Information (1 PAX).

4.u.   Marine Detachment Ft. Meade (1 PAX).

4.v. Marine Corps Systems Command (1 PAX).

4.w.  Marine Corps Information Command (1 PAX)

5.  All ESC participants, per paragraph 4, 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

6.  Coordinating Instructions

6.a.  Command representatives are required to have the authority to 

speak on behalf of their respective commanders on all areas of the 

45XX OCCFLD, and if required, vote on the outcome as briefed to the 

ESC chair and per REF B.

6.b.   ESC voting members must arrive prepared to brief recommended 

service-level COMMSTRAT initiatives based off capability gaps for

FY27 and FY28.  Recommendations must focus on enterprise-wide

Doctrine,  Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and

Communication Synchronization, Personnel, Facilities, and Cost

(DOTMLPF-C) impacts rather than localized command issues.  These

initiatives will be briefed during Day 1 to establish the ESC's

prioritization for subsequent FY27/FY28 sub-working group action.

6.c.  The uniform for the ESC 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.  Mess dress is not authorized.

6.d.  Location.  All events will take place at Marine Corps Base 

Quantico, VA.  The ESC and the USMCCCA Awards Banquet will take 

place at the Clubs at Quantico and Crossroads Events Center, 3017 

Russell Rd, Quantico, VA 22134.  

6.e.  Travel.  Travel days for the ESC are 3 and 6 August 2026. 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.  

6.f.  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. 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 5.  Any unreserved rooms will be released

after this date.

6.g.  Attendees and commands must comply with REF C concerning the 

Government Travel Charge Card Program (GTCCP).  DTS will identify

the 2026 max per diem rate for Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA.

6.h.  Transportation.  Transportation is the responsibility of the 

unit.  6.k.  Cell phones and computers are authorized.  Wi-Fi and 

power will be available at all locations.

6.i.  ESC registration and questions related to the COMMSTRAT ESC 

should be sent to the CD OCCFLD Support POCs listed above. 

Coordinating instructions and finalized agenda will be provided to

confirmed attendees no later than 29 July 2026.

7.  Release authorized by Colonel John O. Caldwell, Director, 

Communication Directorate, Headquarters Marine Corps.//