The Marine Corps Tactics and Operations Group (MCTOG) has published the schedule for the FY27 Ground Combat Element Commanders' Course (GCECC). This is a five-day, operationally focused course at the Marine Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) in Twentynine Palms, designed to prepare battalion and regimental commanders for maneuver warfare and multi-domain operations. There are two iterations this fiscal year, and eligible officers should register now.
Bottom line: If you're a Colonel or LtCol select slated for a GCE command on the FY27 screening boards, you need to attend GCECC and register by email before each iteration's deadline.
Who it affects
Colonels slated for GCE command and LtCol selects from the FY27 command screening boards (MARADMIN 327/26 for O-6, MARADMIN 344/26 for O-5). If you're not on one of those boards in a GCE command billet, this doesn't apply to you.
What you need to do
- Confirm your eligibility against the FY27 COL or LtCol command screening board results.
- Choose your iteration: GCECC 27-1 (December 2026) or GCECC 27-2 (April 2027).
- Register by emailing the MCTOG POCs listed in the MARADMIN before the deadline for your iteration. Contact LtCol Jeremy Ross at
jeremy.d.ross1@usmc.milor Alex Barron atalex.barron@usmc.mil. - Submit a visit request in DISS using these details:
- SMO code:
M30016 - Event name:
GCECC 27-1orGCECC 27-2 - Event POC: Alex W. Barron, Civ, Dep OPSO
- Classification level: Secret
- Security POC: Carolina VanMeerbeek, Civ, Security Specialist,
carolina.vanmeerbeek@usmc.mil
- SMO code:
- Arrange your own billeting. If government quarters aren't available, get a non-availability letter. Primary lodging is the Road Runner Inn at (760) 830-6642.
- Coordinate unit funding for travel. Departure flights should be booked for the day after the last training event.
Uniform is desert digital MARPAT, sleeves down.
Key dates
| Event | Course Dates | Registration Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| GCECC 27-1 | 7-11 December 2026 | 7 November 2026 |
| GCECC 27-2 | 19-23 April 2027 | 13 March 2027* |
*Note: The MARADMIN lists the GCECC 27-2 registration deadline as "13 March 2026," which appears to be a typo. Confirm the correct year with MCTOG before acting on that date.
The official version
This is MARADMIN 425/26. It references MARADMIN 327/26 (FY27 COL Command Screening Board results) and MARADMIN 344/26 (FY27 LtCol Command Screening Board results).
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.