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Marine Corps AI Hackathon open for applications

MARADMIN 356/26·August 7, 2026·2 min read·Official source
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The Deputy Commandant for Information's Service Data Office (SDO) is running an AI Hackathon at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, CA, October 26-30, 2026, alongside the Fall 2026 Naval AI Summit. Teams will spend four days building real tools, then present on the final day. Finished products are intended for immediate deployment or further development across the enterprise. Travel costs come out of your unit's budget, not the event.

Heads up: Your command has to approve you before you apply, and the application deadline is midnight on October 9.

Who it affects

This is open broadly: active and reserve Marines, joint service members, government agency personnel, industry partners, academic partners, and contractors supporting the government. There is no rank restriction listed. You pick one of two tracks when you apply.

What you need to do

  1. Get command or organizational approval first.
  2. Review the project list at the application link and decide which track fits you.
  3. Submit your application at https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/LGhn4FBb28 before midnight on October 9, 2026.
  4. Watch your email for an approval or denial notification by October 16.

The two tracks are:

  • GenAI.mil Agent Development: Build an AI agent using tools available on the GenAI.mil platform. No specialized coding environment required.
  • Advanced AI Development: Hands-on coding work with access to Marine Corps tools and NPS high-performance computing resources.

A few things worth knowing before you commit:

  • Travel costs are on your unit. Make sure your command is actually willing to fund the trip before you apply.
  • The event is unclassified.
  • Any awards are non-monetary and non-binding. Participation is not a contract or financial obligation.
  • Additional logistics details go out to approved attendees only.

Key dates

  • October 9, 2026 (midnight): Application deadline
  • October 16, 2026: Notification of approval or denial
  • October 26-30, 2026: Hackathon at NPS, Monterey, CA

The official version

This is MARADMIN 356/26.

POC: Maj Robert J. Fusco (OIC, DC I SDO) at robert.j.fusco@nps.edu or 703-692-3780. Also Maj C.D. Clark (AI Lead, DC I SDO) at christopher.d.clark.mil@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.

  • AI Hackathon Application Form

    This is the registration form for the USMC Digital Transformation Hackathon, a four-day event held October 26–29, 2026, in Monterey, CA. If you want to participate, you need to submit this form before the October 9 deadline.

  • GenAI.mil platformReference

    GenAI.mil is the Marine Corps platform used for the Agent Development track of the hackathon. Applicants choosing that track will build AI agents using tools available on this platform.

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