The Marine Corps just wrapped up the first round of the USMC Innovation Challenge, a DC I-run competition where Marines and Department of the Navy (DON) civilians built low-code automation tools using the Microsoft 365 (M365) Power Platform. Five solutions were recognized. A second round is coming.
Heads up: If your unit is struggling with manual readiness tracking, duty rosters, or training stats, the winning tools from this competition are available on the Innovation Challenge Portal.
Who it affects
This announcement is primarily for awareness across the force. The winners are active duty Marines from II MEF. However, the tools they built are designed for use across the entire force, and any unit can request source code or explore adoption. Reserve units dealing with manual admin processes should take note.
What you need to do
If you're one of the five winners or your Marine is: DC I's Innovation Cadre will reach out to coordinate award presentation and endorsement letters. No action needed on your end to initiate that.
If you want to adopt or share one of the winning tools: your commander needs to ensure local implementation meets DON M365 governance and DoD cyber hygiene requirements before deploying any of these apps in your unit. Check with your G6 or S6 before standing anything up.
For everyone else: nothing to do now. Watch the Innovation Challenge Portal for the virtual roadshow schedule.
The winning tools
| Challenge | Winner | Tool | Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commander's Readiness Dash | Capt Robert Werner, II MEF | OverSight (GCSS-MC analytics dashboard) | $1,000 + endorsement letter |
| Automate Training Statistics | Sgt Jalen L. Taite, II MEF | Marine Education and Training Statistics (METS) | $450 + endorsement letter |
| Automating Duty Rosters | Sgt Blake Owen | DutyNext (Power App duty roster tool) | Endorsement letter |
| Automate Personnel and Equipment Resourcing | Team iMPACT, II MEF | SourceIt (TEEP/personnel/equipment tracker) | Endorsement letter |
| Commander's Readiness Dash (Notable Achievement) | CWO3 Brandon Russell, II MEF | Automated Material Readiness brief (Power BI) | Endorsement letter |
Key dates
- Virtual roadshow date: not yet published. Watch the portal for the schedule.
- Round 2 details: not specified in this message. Check the portal for updates.
The official version
Full details are in MARADMIN 401/26. The Innovation Challenge Portal (.mil network access required) is at https://usmc.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/DCI/USMC_Innovation_Challenge. For questions, contact the POCs at DC I (IC4): tom.w.gilmore.civ@usmc.mil, rayce.blair@usmc.mil, or benjamin.ripka@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.