AI Overview and Authorities

Start Here If You Are New to USMC AI

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE in the Marine Corps is governed by MCO 5231.4 (signed 11 March 2024). The Marine Corps treats AI as the FIRST AMONG EQUALS of Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDT). The DEPUTY COMMANDANT FOR INFORMATION (DC I) is the service lead for data and AI. The SERVICE DATA OFFICE (SDO) under DC I owns policy, governance, and oversight. The MARINE CORPS SERVICE DATA OFFICER (MC SDO) is the principal advisor to the Commandant for data and AI matters. Governance flows through the FUNCTIONAL DATA WORKING GROUP (FDWG) and ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE WORKING GROUP (AIWG). The USMC AI IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, approved by DC I on 23 April 2025, aligns tasks and milestones across the service. The Marine Corps integrates AI capabilities that are RESPONSIBLE, EQUITABLE, TRACEABLE, RELIABLE, and GOVERNABLE. Data follows the VAULTIS standard (Visible, Accessible, Understandable, Linked, Trustworthy, Interoperable, Secure). Per MCO 5231.4.

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

• The MCO 5231.4 framework
• DC I as service lead and SDO role
• MC SDO responsibilities
• FDWG and AIWG governance bodies
• USMC AI Implementation Plan
• Responsible AI principles
• VAULTIS data standard
• The MARADMIN ecosystem
• Why AI matters for force readiness
• Cross-references to specific AI leaves

Every fact on this page comes from MCO 5231.4, the USMC AI Implementation Plan, MARADMIN 214/26, MARADMIN 635/24, MARADMIN 270/25, MARADMIN 018/26, MARADMIN 135/26, and DC I SDO published guidance.

What MCO 5231.4 Covers

MCO 5231.4 (Marine Corps Data and Artificial Intelligence) is the foundational policy governing.

• Service-level data and AI governance.
• Data Workforce roles (14 roles).
• AI Workforce roles (7 roles).
• Authoritative Data Sources (ADS) registration.
• Data and AI Implementation Plans.
• Responsible AI compliance.
• VAULTIS data standard.
• Coordination across Deputy Commandants.

MCO 5231.4 supersedes MCO 5231.3.

DC I as Service Lead

Deputy Commandant for Information (DC I) is appointed as the service lead for data and AI per CMC Memorandum dated 21 May 2019. DC I.

• Represents the Marine Corps to DoD organizations on data and AI matters.
• Oversees the activities of the MC SDO.
• Serves as Marine Corps Enterprise Operations Management, Intelligence, and Geospatial Data Steward.
• Serves as the Marine Corps Authorizing Official (AO) for IT systems.

Service Data Office (SDO)

The SDO is the office responsible for policy, governance, and oversight for Marine Corps data and AI capabilities across all warfighting functions. SDO is the service lead for.

• Enterprise data.
• Artificial intelligence.
• Information Knowledge Management (IKM).
• Marine Corps Software Factory (MCSWF).

Marine Corps Service Data Officer (MC SDO)

The MC SDO is the principal advisor to the CMC for Marine Corps data and AI. The MC SDO.

• Establishes data and AI policy for the Marine Corps.
• Aligns Associate Data Officers (ADOs), Data Stewards, Data Custodians, and Command Data and Analytics Officers (CDAOs).
• Serves as final approval authority in the Marine Corps for data and AI.
• Publishes annual Data Implementation Plan and AI Implementation Plan.
• Chairs the FDWG and AIWG.
• Appoints ADOs in writing.

Governance Bodies

Functional Data Working Group (FDWG)

The service-level body for data governance. The MC SDO chairs. The FDWG provides alignment of policy and resourcing decisions that impact the Marine Corps Total Force.

Artificial Intelligence Working Group (AIWG)

The service-level body for AI governance. The MC SDO chairs. The AIWG provides alignment of policy, resourcing decisions, and ethical and responsible AI principles.

Both groups update their charters every three years and use memorandums of understanding to drive delivery.

USMC AI Implementation Plan (NAVMC 3000.1)

The USMC AI Implementation Plan (NAVMC 3000.1), Version 1.0, FY 2025-2030, was approved by Lieutenant General M. G. Carter, DC I on 23 April 2025. It is the comprehensive plan that aligns tasks and milestones to ensure unity of effort across the service approach to AI.

Five Strategic Goals

NAVMC 3000.1 organizes implementation around five strategic goals.

• Goal 1. AI Mission Alignment.
• Goal 2. AI Competent Workforce.
• Goal 3. AI Deployment at Scale.
• Goal 4. AI Governance.
• Goal 5. Partnership and Collaboration.

Five Guiding Principles

The plan adopts five guiding principles for AI integration across the Service.

• ACCELERATE the integration and utilization of AI at scale.
• EMPOWER Marines with the knowledge, skills, and tools to rapidly implement AI.
• GROW an AI workforce able to oversee, adopt, and integrate enterprise AI capabilities.
• SET CONDITIONS to integrate and enable functional data management.
• BUILD AND STRENGTHEN strategic partnerships to accelerate AI.

Digital Transformation Pilot (DXP)

The plan establishes a Digital Transformation Pilot project as the near-term vehicle for implementation. Three Digital Transformation Teams (DXTs) deploy to lead commands.

• II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF).
• Logistics Command (LogCom).
• Marine Corps Forces Pacific (MARFORPAC).

DXTs deliver digital, data, analytics, and AI solutions. Each DXT briefs the AIWG at least quarterly on critical opportunities and challenges.

GRETR Attributes

The plan emphasizes that USMC AI must be Governable, Responsible, Equitable, Traceable, and Reliable (GRETR). These attributes align with MCO 5231.4 and the DoD Responsible AI Strategy.

Implementation Timeline Highlights

• 2024. USMC AI Strategy published.
• 2025. DXT deployments at II MEF (March), LogCom (June), MARFORPAC. AI Infrastructure OPT. Goal 4 AI Governance milestone (September).
• 2026. Goal 2 AI Competent Workforce (March). Goal 1 AI Mission Alignment (June). Goal 5 Partnership and Collaboration (September).
• 2027. Goal 3 AI Deployment at Scale (September). POM 28 DOTMLPF Integration (October).

Per MARADMIN 214/26, the plan provides the foundation for AI training and education across the force.

Responsible AI Principles

The Marine Corps integrates AI capabilities that are.

• Responsible.
• Equitable.
• Traceable.
• Reliable.
• Governable.

These align with DoD ethical AI principles per DEPSECDEF Memorandum (26 May 2021), DoD Responsible AI Strategy (June 2022), and Executive Order 14110 (30 October 2023).

Six Tenets for Responsible AI Use

Per DoD Responsible AI Strategy and MCO 5231.4 paragraph 1. The Marine Corps adheres to six tenets for responsible AI use and implementation.

VAULTIS Data Standard

Data in the Marine Corps must be.

• Visible.
• Accessible.
• Understandable.
• Linked.
• Trustworthy.
• Interoperable.
• Secure.

VAULTIS applies to all Marine Corps data and underpins AI capabilities.

The MARADMIN Ecosystem

Several active MARADMINs implement and extend MCO 5231.4.

• MARADMIN 214/26 (8 May 2026). Mandatory Basic AI Course for all Active Duty and Reserve Marines NLT 31 December 2026.
• MARADMIN 635/24 (30 December 2024). Guiding Principles for Ethical Use of AI by COMMSTRAT. Supersedes MARADMIN 602/24.
• MARADMIN 270/25 (12 June 2025). Available AI and Data Management Training Solutions.
• MARADMIN 018/26 (21 January 2026). Enterprise GenAI Availability and Governance. GenAI.mil platform. Supersedes MARADMIN 496/24.
• MARADMIN 135/26 (30 March 2026). FY26-2 AI Fellowship Programs at NPS.
• MARADMIN 325/26 (21 July 2026). Announcement of the Enterprise AI, Data, and Software (ADS) Information Resource Manual. Enterprise-platform baseline, enterprise data, FAM coordination, and quarterly portfolio-management assessment.

Data Stewards Across the Marine Corps

MCO 5231.4 designates Deputy Commandants as Data Stewards for specific domains.

• DC I. Enterprise Operations Management, Intelligence, and Geospatial.
• DC CD&I. Warfighting and Force Application.
• DC P&R. Financial.
• DC M&RA. Human Resources and Human Capital.
• DC AVN. Aviation.
• DC PP&O. Readiness.
• DC I&L. Logistics and Sustainment.
• COMMARCORSYSCOM. Acquisition.
• CG TECOM. Training and Education.
• Communication Directorate (CD). Visual Information.
• Office of Legislative Affairs. Legislative.
• CL and SJA. Legal.

Why AI Matters For Force Readiness

Force Multiplier

AI distills and analyzes Marine Corps data, supporting decision-making and mission effectiveness.

Operational Tempo

Marines using AI tools increase their operational tempo through automation and analysis.

Competitive Advantage

AI is the first among equals of Emerging and Disruptive Technologies. Adversaries are also developing AI, so Marine Corps adoption is strategic.

Talent Management 2030 Alignment

The Marine Corps Total Force is being manned, trained, and equipped to use data-centric and AI-enabled capabilities per Talent Management 2030 and Force Design 2030.

Cross References

• For mandatory basic training, see Basic AI Course (Mandatory)
• For the enterprise platform, see GenAI.mil Enterprise Platform
• For ethical principles, see AI Ethical Use
• For additional training options, see AI and Data Management Training
• For the NPS fellowship, see AI Fellowship Programs (NPS)
• For approval process and DC I authority, see AI Governance and Approval
• For CamoGPT and other approved tools, see CamoGPT and Other Approved AI Tools
• For workforce roles, see Data and AI Workforce Roles
• For day-to-day AI usage, see Practical AI Use for Marines
• For the enterprise-platform baseline and portfolio governance, see Enterprise AI, Data, and Software Platforms

Quick Reference

• Authority. MCO 5231.4 (11 March 2024).
• Service lead. Deputy Commandant for Information (DC I).
• Policy office. Service Data Office (SDO) under DC I.
• Principal advisor. Marine Corps Service Data Officer (MC SDO).
• Governance. FDWG (data) and AIWG (AI).
• Data standard. VAULTIS.
• Responsible AI. Five attributes (responsible, equitable, traceable, reliable, governable).
• Implementation plan. USMC AI Implementation Plan (DC I, 23 April 2025).

Records To Keep

• MCO 5231.4 reference copy
• USMC AI Implementation Plan reference
• Basic AI Course completion record in MCTFS BTR via MOL
• Any AI training certificates from MarineNet, Digital University, NPS, JKO

If you have a question about the AI framework or policy, your unit S-1 routes to DC I SDO for headquarters-level matters. For implementation questions at the unit level, your unit S-6 (information) and command chief data officer are first contacts.