Semper AI: Marines launch artificial intelligence training for entire workforce in 2-year plan

The Marine Corps is deploying digital transformation teams and preparing to launch comprehensive AI training for its entire workforce, according to AI lead Capt. Christopher Clark. The service has developed a two-year strategic implementation plan to integrate artificial intelligence across all levels, from headquarters to small tactical units, aiming to make Marines “more effective, more involved and more able to do their job.”

What you should know: The Marine Corps has established a structured approach to AI adoption through specialized teams and partnerships with leading institutions.

• Digital transformation teams (DTTs) are now operational at three key locations: II Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Marine Corps Logistics Command in Albany, Georgia; and Marine Forces Pacific, partnering with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
• The service partnered with the Air Force, MIT, and the Naval Postgraduate School to create AI fellowship opportunities for Marines.
• A five-day workshop is scheduled for November at Quantico, bringing together service members, civilians, and industry to discuss operational problems that generative AI can solve.

The big picture: The Marine Corps is taking a comprehensive approach to AI integration that goes beyond just deploying technology to building organizational capability.

• “These teams are meant to do two things,” Clark explained. “They deliver AI solutions to their command and also integrate back into Headquarters Marine Corps so that we understand — as we develop policies, as we identify the requirements, to be delivered through the capabilities — what those teams need to be successful.”
• The Training and Education Command has developed a campaign plan to educate the entire Marine Corps on data, AI, and disruptive technologies, which is currently being finalized.

Key infrastructure challenges: The Marine Corps faces significant technical hurdles in building unified AI capabilities across the force.

• “Right now, we have some disparate efforts where we can do machine learning — but we don’t have a unified AI infrastructure for the Marine Corps that enables us to connect to the data sources,” Clark noted.
• The service needs to determine the correct combination of hardware, software, and tools to build and manage AI applications effectively.
• AI governance remains a priority, with multiple policy and compliance requirements needed to ensure trustworthy systems that Marines can confidently use.

What they’re saying: Clark emphasized the importance of building workforce capabilities alongside technological deployment.

• “We’re doing a lot of things and we’re really excited to continue partnering, continue growing, and to build our workforce, so that we can really deploy these capabilities in a way that makes sense — that impacts the Marines — and ultimately makes them more effective, more involved and more able to do their job,” he said during his keynote at FedScoop’s FedTalks conference.