FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. -- Maj. Gen. William F. Mullen, the Commanding General of Training and Education Command, visited Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command headquarters at Lasswell Hall Jan. 10, 2019. Mullen was here to get a better appreciation for MARFORCYBER’s mission and identify opportunities for evolving cyber training and education.
Maj. Gen. Matthew G. Glavy, MARFORCYBER and Joint Task Force Ares commander, welcomed Mullen to Lasswell Hall, a modern four-story building, located within the National Security Agency’s campus in Fort Meade, Maryland.
MARFORCYBER is the higher headquarters for three units operating in the cyberspace domain, Marine Corps Cyberspace Warfare Group, Marine Corps Cyberspace Operations Group and Joint Task Force Ares. Glavy emphasized the importance of developing his Marines individual and collective skills as their talent is key to the success of Marine Corps and Joint operations.
Discussions during the visit focused on MCCYWG, the primary unit responsible for training, manning and equipping Marine cyberspace operators. Trained operators not only support MARFORCYBER headquarters operations, but they also support JTF-Ares, a task force dedicated to countering violent extremist organizations and conducting missions in support of U.S. Cyber Command. They also support MCCOG, which has the unique mission of executing Department of Defense Information Network Operations and defensive cyberspace operations. These operations enhance freedom of action across warfighting domains while denying the efforts of adversaries to degrade or disrupt this advantage through cyberspace.
Key to the meeting were discussions on the professional development opportunities afforded to Marines in the 17XX, cyberspace operations, community. Qualifications for cyberspace operators represent the Marine Corps’ investment in its most important resource, individual Marines. These investments include industry certifications like Security+, Network+, A+, Certified Ethical Hacking and Certified Information Systems Security Professional.
As Marines progress through their career, more incentives like the Commandant of the Marine Corps Fellows program become available. The fellowship program places Marines with academic institutions, industry leaders, partner agencies and policy think tanks to work with academics, government, corporate and political leaders.
When Marines complete professional development opportunities, their new skills pay dividends as the command’s lethality and capabilities multiply, according to Glavy. He also sees professional development opportunities as a key incentive for the retention of cyberspace operators.
“We need to find the corporals now that want to further their cyber education and be the next leaders in the cyberspace domain,” said Glavy.
Glavy summarizes his leadership philosophy as “people, ideas, things … in that order.” It’s on the wall as you walk into Lasswell Hall and it is a mantra repeated every day within the command. MARFORCYBER’s commander prioritizes people because he believes without the right motivated, trained and empowered people, the mission would not be accomplished. The conversations between Glavy and Mullen is a step forward for MARFORCYBER.
For more news and information about MARFORCYBER, visit www.marforcyber.marines.mil/ or follow us on twitter @MARFORCYBER.