MCO 5231.4 - Marine Corps Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Scope

MCO 5231.4 establishes policy, governance, and oversight for Marine Corps data and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities across all warfighting functions. The order designates Deputy Commandant for Information (DC I) as the service lead for data and AI and establishes the Service Data Office (SDO) as the office of record. Signed by the Commandant on 11 March 2024. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A, approved for public release. Applicability is the Marine Corps Total Force.

Audience

• Marine Corps Service Data Officer (MC SDO). Chairs the Functional Data Working Group (FDWG) and the Artificial Intelligence Working Group (AIWG).
• Associate Data Officers (ADOs), Data Stewards, Data Custodians, Command Data and Analytics Officers (CDAOs).
• System Owners, Data Producers, Data Architects, Analytic Developers, Data Analytics Specialists.
• Commanders. Hold local oversight of AI use within their command, ensure adherence to the six tenets of responsible AI in reference (c).
• All Marines. Use only DoD-approved AI capabilities for Marine Corps work.

Key sections

• Paragraph 1 Situation. Data foundational to all Marine Corps missions. AI as force multiplier under responsible use principles.
• Paragraph 2 Cancellation. Cancels MCO 5231.3.
• Paragraph 3 Mission. Develop data and AI technologies to deliver kinetic and non-kinetic effects.
• Paragraph 4 Execution. Establishes SDO, FDWG, AIWG. Subordinate element missions for HQMC staff agencies and operating force commanders.
• Paragraph 5 Administration and Logistics. POM resourcing and CDAO appointments.
• Paragraph 6 Command and Signal. Effective on signature.
• Enclosure 1 References. 64 references covering DoD data strategy, DoD AI strategy, executive orders, and DON policy.
• Enclosure 2 Data Workforce Roles. MC SDO, ADO, Data Steward, Data Custodian, CDAO, Data Producer, System Owner, Data Architect, Analytic Developer, Data Analytics Specialist.
• Enclosure 3 Artificial Intelligence Workforce Roles. Defined AI roles aligned to DoD CDAO workforce framework.

Connection to Marine Corps doctrine

• DoD Data Strategy and DON Data Concept of Employment (COE). MCO 5231.4 implements these at service level.
• DoDD 5250.01 w/CH-1 Management of Intelligence Mission Data. Cross-referenced for IMD policy.
• USMC AI Implementation Plan (FY 2025-2030), approved by DC I 23 April 2025. Tactical execution of MCO 5231.4 policy.
• MARADMIN 018/26. Enterprise GenAI Availability and Governance. Operationalizes the order for the GenAI.mil platform.
• MARADMIN 496/24. Authorized NIPR and SIPR LLM Capabilities. Superseded by MARADMIN 018/26.

Status

Signed 11 March 2024. Active. Public-release order, 20 pages, AES-encrypted PDF on marines.mil.