AI and Data Management Training

Start Here If You Are New to AI Training Beyond the Basic Course

The MANDATORY Basic AI Course (per MARADMIN 214/26) is the foundation. After completion, many ADDITIONAL TRAINING OPTIONS exist. MARADMIN 270/25 (signed 12 June 2025 by Lieutenant General B. T. Watson, CG TECOM) catalogs the currently available data management and AI training solutions for Marines and government civilians. The end state is a baseline of basic awareness for ALL Marines, with opportunities for more advanced, specialized training for those seeking deeper expertise. Key sources include MARINENET (Skillsoft and Percipio), Digital University (USAF), Joint Knowledge Online (JKO), GSA Centers of Excellence, II MEF Basic Data Literacy Course, US Navy Community College (USNCC) with WGU and UMGC programs, Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) Distance Learning, and the Microsoft Enterprise Skills Initiative. Per MARADMIN 270/25 and MCO 5231.4.

This page walks you through available training from your seat as a Marine. By the end you will know.

• The training ecosystem
• MARINENET / MCELE options (Skillsoft, Percipio)
• Joint and DoD-wide options (JKO, Digital University, GSA, ESI)
• Marine Corps internal options (II MEF Basic Data Literacy)
• Advanced training (USNCC, NPS)
• How to access each platform
• DA&AI Workforce alignment
• CDAO Digital Commons

Every fact on this page comes from MARADMIN 270/25, MARADMIN 007/25, OSD CDAO/OUSD(R&E) Memorandum (5 January 2024), and the USMC AI Implementation Plan.

The Training Ecosystem

The Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD), via the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) and the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), directs the services to collaborate on the 11 Data, Analytics, and AI (DA&AI) Workforce roles. The collaborative approach supports assigning three-digit work role codes to civilian and military billets performing aligned tasks.

USMC Implementation Path

Per the USMC AI Implementation Plan (DC I, 23 April 2025), CG TECOM is tasked with identifying available learning tools and centralizing them into a repository.

CDAO Digital Commons

The DoD's central platform for the Data Workforce (DWF) and associated data and AI roles. Visit at https://dod365.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/CDAO-Digital-Commons.

If you do not have an account, request access via the DoD365 Access Packages page at https://myaccess.microsoft.us/@dod365.onmicrosoft.us#/access-packages/ with a "DoD365-J DOD Guest" Request.

MARINENET / MCELE Options

The Marine Corps eLearning Ecosystem (MCELE, formerly MarineNet) at https://www.marinenet.usmc.mil is the central training platform.

Skillsoft

• Provides data management and AI training opportunities.
• Some courses run natively in MARINENET.
• Access varies by course.
• Login to MARINENET and scroll to the Skillsoft button on the left.

Percipio

• Runs from Percipio's system.
• Access via by-name request through MARINENET.
• Login to MARINENET, scroll to Skillsoft, find Percipio link.

Joint and DoD-Wide Options

Joint Knowledge Online (JKO)

• Tailored training to specific work roles.
• Access at https://jkodirect.jten.mil/.
• CAC required for most content.

Digital University (USAF)

• Vast amount of data management and AI training.
• Includes pathways aligned to the CDAO DA&AI Workforce roles.
• Access at https://digitalu.af.mil/app.
• Available to USMC personnel.

GSA Centers of Excellence (IT Modernization)

• AI-specific training.
• Access at https://coe.gsa.gov/communities/AITraining.html.

Enterprise Skills Initiative (Microsoft)

• Focused on Azure and other Microsoft technologies.
• Access at https://esi.microsoft.com/.

USMC IT and Intel Community of Interest

• Partnered with GSA, NIWC, and others.
• Free developmental courses for IT/Cyber and Intel civilians.
• Access at https://portal.marinenet.usmc.mil/content/mnet-portal/en/civilian-coi/information-development-institute-.html.

Marine Corps Internal Options

II MEF Basic Data Literacy Course

• Foundational understanding of data.
• Available on the II MEF University Moodle page.
• Access at https://elearning.marinenet.usmc.mil/moodle/course/view.php?id=18940.

Advanced Training

US Navy Community College (USNCC)

Programs and certificates relevant to data and AI.

• Associate Degree or Certificate Program in Data Analytics through Western Governors University (WGU).
• Associate Degree in Cybersecurity through University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC).
• Information at https://www.usncc.edu/.

Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) Distance Learning

NPS offers advanced degrees and certificate programs.

• Specializations in Modeling, Visualization, and Simulation.
• Data Science and Decision Making.
• Artificial Intelligence for Military Use.
• Data Science Certificates.
• And others.

Access at https://online.nps.edu/. Review MARADMIN 007/25 for additional details.

NPS AI Fellowship

Beyond distance learning, NPS offers a focused 5-month AI Fellowship. See AI Fellowship Programs (NPS) for the NPS AI Fellowship per MARADMIN 135/26.

DA&AI Workforce Alignment

The OSD memorandum directs work role coding for 11 DA&AI Workforce roles. The USMC, in coordination with CD&I, TECOM, MIU, and DC I, is developing a Data Management and Analysis Training and Education Implementation Plan that.

• Identifies USMC MOSs aligned to DA&AI Workforce roles.
• Aligns billet tasks to work roles.
• Will create designated career paths for MOS and civilian work codes.

Why This Matters

If you are pursuing a career in data or AI within the Marine Corps, alignment to a DA&AI Workforce role provides career pathway clarity.

How to Access Each Platform

Step 1. Identify Your Training Goal

• Foundational awareness. Start with the Basic AI Course (mandatory) and II MEF Basic Data Literacy.
• Practical skills. MARINENET Skillsoft, Percipio, JKO.
• Specialized expertise. Digital University, GSA Centers of Excellence, Enterprise Skills Initiative.
• Degree pursuit. USNCC, NPS.

Step 2. Confirm Access

• MARINENET requires DoW CAC or username/password.
• JKO requires CAC.
• Digital University accessible to military and civilian DoD personnel.
• GSA Centers of Excellence has public access.
• CDAO Digital Commons requires DoD365 access request.

Step 3. Coordinate With Education Center

For TA-funded courses (USNCC, NPS, civilian programs), engage your installation Education Center at MCCS.

Step 4. Track Completions

For Marine Corps tracking, completion of MARINENET courses reflects in MCTFS Basic Training Record (BTR) via Marine Online. External courses may require Marine to upload certificates or document independently.

Common Pursuits

Foundational Path

1. Basic AI Course (mandatory) on MCELE.
2. II MEF Basic Data Literacy Course.
3. Selected Skillsoft or Percipio courses.

IT/Cyber Path

1. Basic AI Course.
2. USMC IT and Intel Community of Interest free courses.
3. Enterprise Skills Initiative for Azure/Microsoft.
4. Digital University for advanced AI.

Analyst Path

1. Basic AI Course.
2. II MEF Basic Data Literacy.
3. JKO data analytics tracks.
4. Digital University analytics pathways.
5. Consider USNCC Data Analytics certificate.

Officer Career Path

1. Basic AI Course.
2. Digital University AI courses.
3. NPS Distance Learning AI for Military Use.
4. NPS AI Fellowship for selectees.

Common Errors

Skipping the Basic Course

The mandatory Basic AI Course (per MARADMIN 214/26) is the foundation. Skipping or delaying creates compliance issues.

Mitigation. Complete by 31 December 2026.

Pursuing Advanced Training Without Foundation

Marines jump to advanced courses without foundational understanding.

Mitigation. Build up from foundational to advanced.

Not Tracking External Completions

Marines complete external training but it does not appear in their record.

Mitigation. Save certificates. Upload to MCTFS if process supports it. Document for performance evaluations.

Missing TA Funding

Marines pay for civilian courses out of pocket when TA could fund.

Mitigation. Engage Education Center before paying. See Tuition Assistance (TA).

Cross References

• For mandatory training, see Basic AI Course (Mandatory)
• For NPS AI Fellowship, see AI Fellowship Programs (NPS)
• For workforce roles framework, see Data and AI Workforce Roles
• For overall AI framework, see AI Overview and Authorities
• For Marine Corps education broader scope, see Education Overview and Authorities
• For MarineNet details, see MarineNet and Distance Learning
• For Tuition Assistance, see Tuition Assistance (TA)

Quick Reference

• Authority. MARADMIN 270/25.
• Mandatory baseline. Basic AI Course per MARADMIN 214/26.
• Main platforms. MARINENET (Skillsoft, Percipio), JKO, Digital University, GSA Centers of Excellence, ESI, II MEF.
• Degree programs. USNCC (WGU, UMGC), NPS Distance Learning.
• DA&AI Workforce roles. 11 DoD-wide roles being aligned to USMC MOS and billets.
• CDAO Digital Commons. https://dod365.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/CDAO-Digital-Commons.

Records To Keep

• Course completion certificates
• TA application and approval records (for civilian courses)
• USNCC and NPS enrollment confirmations
• Skillsoft, Percipio, JKO completion history

If you have a question about available training, contact Mr. Brian Christmas, TECOM Analysis and Assessments Branch Head, at BRIAN.S.CHRISTMAS@USMC.MIL or 703-784-3029 per MARADMIN 270/25.