The Marine Corps has released the FY27 Competition-in-Arms Program (CIAP) schedule. Five regional competitions run from November 2026 through March 2027, followed by the Marine Corps Championships in April and the Inter-Service Rifle Championships in June. This is the second year FPV attack drone competitions run alongside the traditional marksmanship events. Reserve Marines are eligible and commanders across the Total Force are encouraged to submit entries.
Bottom line: Registration for the first event closes 1 November 2026, so if you or your unit wants in, start coordinating now.
Who it affects
All Marines, Total Force. That explicitly includes RC. Commanders at every level are encouraged to support individual and team entries. No MOS restriction is mentioned. Specific eligibility details will be in the Letter of Instruction (LOI) that Weapons Training Battalion (WTBn) Quantico publishes within three weeks of this MARADMIN.
What you need to do
If you want to compete:
- Watch for the FY27 CIAP LOI from WTBn Quantico. It will carry the full eligibility rules, team construct, equipment requirements, and quota process.
- Coordinate with your command early. Quotas are managed by the hosting command based on range capacity, and commanders have to support your entry.
- Register by the deadline for your regional event (see Key Dates below).
- If you finish in the top 10% at a regional event, expect a by-name invitation to the Marine Corps Championships sent directly to your battalion/squadron CO and senior enlisted advisor.
- Outstanding performers at the Championships may be offered a summer augment slot with the Marine Corps Shooting Team (MCST), the Marine Corps Attack Drone Team (MCADT), or the Marine Corps Counter Drone Team (MCCDT) from April through August 2027. TAD order length is negotiable between COs, not to exceed the fiscal year.
If you are a commander or SNCO: consider nominating individuals and teams now. Regional LOIs from hosting units are due no later than 90 days before each event.
Key dates
| Event | Dates | Registration NLT |
|---|---|---|
| MCMC, NCR (Quantico) | 15 Nov – 24 Nov 2026 | 1 Nov 2026 |
| MCMC/MCADC, Far East (Camp Butler) | 7 Dec – 18 Dec 2026 | 23 Nov 2026 |
| MCMC/MCADC, Pacific (MCB Hawaii) | 20 Jan – 29 Jan 2027 | 6 Jan 2027 |
| MCMC/MCADC, West (Camp Pendleton) | 1 Feb – 12 Feb 2027 | 18 Jan 2027 |
| MCMC/MCADC, East (Camp Lejeune) | 22 Feb – 5 Mar 2027 | 8 Feb 2027 |
| Marine Corps Championships (Quantico) | 19 Apr – 30 Apr 2027 | 5 Apr 2027 |
| Inter-Service Rifle Championships (Quantico) | 21 Jun – 2 Jul 2027 | 7 Jun 2027 |
Note: The NCR event does NOT include the drone competition. All others do.
POCs (reach out to coordinate or get more information):
- Marksmanship / MCST: Capt Ambridge at
scott.ambridge@usmc.milor571-656-4723 - MCST SNCOIC: MSgt Prickett at
cody.prickett@usmc.milor703-784-6761 - Attack Drone Team: Maj Wayson at
brant.wayson@usmc.milor703-784-5226 - MCADT SNCOIC: GySgt Stewart at
jude.stewart@usmc.milor703-784-5226 - Marksmanship Program Management / Counter-Drone: CWO4 Grayek at
wtbn_quan_mpms@usmc.milor703-784-5275 - Operations Officer: Maj Ramirez at
miguel.a.ramirez2@usmc.milor703-784-4612
The official version
MARADMIN 438/26 is the source document. The program is governed by MCO 3591.2L (Marine Corps Competition in Arms Program) and MCO 3574.2M (Marine Corps Combat Marksmanship Programs). The full FY27 CIAP LOI, which will contain eligibility and equipment details, is not yet published as of this MARADMIN.
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.