Practical AI Use for Marines

Start Here If You Are New to Day-To-Day AI Use

The Marine Corps wants Marines to engage in RISK-INFORMED EXPERIMENTATION with AI tools to increase operational tempo (per MARADMIN 214/26 paragraph 3.b). The Basic AI Course teaches awareness. This page provides PRACTICAL guidance for daily AI use. The core rules are. USE AUTHORIZED TOOLS only (GenAI.mil, CamoGPT, others approved per MARADMIN 018/26). PROCESS ONLY CUI or below on GenAI.mil (no PII, PHI, or classified). VERIFY every AI output before use (per MARADMIN 018/26 paragraph 3.c, you are accountable). ANNOTATE AI-assisted products in caption and metadata when imagery or video is involved (per MARADMIN 635/24). MAINTAIN conventional skills to avoid atrophy. ENGAGE DC I for new tool deployment. Per MARADMIN 214/26, MARADMIN 018/26, MARADMIN 635/24, MARADMIN 270/25, and MCO 5231.4.

The Field Manual Is Your Day-To-Day Reference

The SEMPER ADMIN AI FIELD MANUAL v3.0 is the operational AI prompt standard for USMC administration. 100 prompts across 10 categories with placeholder variables, classification tags, and verification standards built in. Use the Field Manual as the working tool for daily AI tasks. See Semper Admin AI Field Manual for the hub, download the PDF, and follow the 20 Laws of LLM Prompts on every task.

This page walks you through day-to-day AI use from your seat as a Marine. By the end you will know.

• Risk-informed experimentation as the operating philosophy
• Verifying AI outputs (you are accountable)
• CUI handling rules
• Common use cases
• When to use AI vs conventional methods
• Annotation requirements
• Limitations of GenAI
• A practical workflow
• Tips and pitfalls

Every fact on this page comes from MARADMIN 214/26, MARADMIN 018/26, MARADMIN 635/24, MARADMIN 270/25, and MCO 5231.4.

Risk-Informed Experimentation

Per MARADMIN 214/26 paragraph 3.b, the desired end state of the Basic AI Course is that Marines possess an intrinsic motivation to continue their risk-informed experimentation with AI tools to increase their operational tempo.

What This Means

• Try AI tools on real work.
• Manage the risks (data classification, verification, annotation).
• Increase your speed and effectiveness.
• Document what works and what does not.

Why Experimentation Matters

The Marine Corps recognizes AI as a force multiplier. Marines who experiment learn faster than those who wait for prescriptive guidance.

Verifying AI Outputs

Per MARADMIN 018/26 paragraph 3.c. GenAI tools are NON-DETERMINISTIC and may produce inaccurate, biased, or incomplete information. All personnel are responsible for critically EVALUATING and VERIFYING any output from GenAI.mil before using it for official purposes. The USER is ACCOUNTABLE for any products derived from the system.

The Verification Habit

Before using any AI output for official purposes.

• Read the output carefully.
• Verify every fact against authoritative sources.
• Verify every citation (AI fabricates citations).
• Verify every number (AI miscalculates).
• Cross-check against your subject matter knowledge.

Common AI Errors to Catch

• Fabricated citations to MARADMINs that do not exist.
• Wrong policy numbers or dates.
• Misquoted policy language.
• Incorrect figures or calculations.
• Outdated information (training cutoff).
• Confident-sounding but wrong responses.

When AI Output Is Worth Using

• The information matches authoritative sources you can verify.
• The structure or framing is helpful even if you rewrite content.
• The summary captures something you can confirm.
• The draft saves time on initial production but you rewrite based on policy.

CUI Handling Rules

Per MARADMIN 018/26 paragraph 3.a. GenAI.mil is approved for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). NOT approved for PII, PHI, or classified.

What CUI Includes

• Most administrative work.
• Most operational planning at the unclassified level.
• Most analysis of unclassified material.
• Most policy interpretation and drafting.

What Is Prohibited

• Names with SSN, DoD ID, date of birth, or other PII combinations.
• Medical records or TRICARE claims (PHI).
• Mental health information.
• CONFIDENTIAL, SECRET, or TOP SECRET material.

Practical Rule of Thumb

If the information would require special handling, marking, or has personal medical or identity content, do NOT submit to GenAI.mil. Strip out the personal details. Keep the analytical content.

Common Use Cases

Drafting

• Generate first-pass outlines for memoranda, briefings, or fitness reports.
• Draft initial language for routine documents.
• Edit existing drafts for clarity.
• Always verify and revise. Treat AI output as a starting point.

Analysis

• Summarize long CUI documents.
• Compare multiple documents.
• Generate questions or counterarguments for review.
• Identify themes across source material.

Research

• Web grounding for current unclassified information.
• Deep research for analytical work.
• Cross-reference policies (then verify in original sources).

Training and Learning

• Explain concepts in plain language.
• Generate practice questions.
• Walk through policy frameworks.
• Identify training gaps.

Translation and Communication

• Simplify complex jargon for plain-language audiences.
• Generate communication products in different registers.
• Always verify accuracy.

When to Use AI vs Conventional Methods

Use AI When

• The task is exploratory.
• The output will be reviewed and revised.
• You need a starting point or structure.
• You are summarizing or comparing large CUI inputs.
• You are learning a new topic.

Use Conventional Methods When

• The task is high-stakes and time-sensitive without verification capacity.
• The output is publicly distributed without further review.
• The information involves PII, PHI, or classified material.
• The work product requires authentic Marine voice or skill demonstration.
• Maintaining conventional proficiency is important (per MARADMIN 635/24 Principle 6).

Blend Both

Most Marines benefit from a blend. Use AI for drafting and analysis, then apply conventional skill for verification, refinement, and final product.

Annotation Requirements

Per MARADMIN 635/24 Principle 3. Products adjusted with AI MUST be annotated in BOTH caption and metadata.

Imagery and Video

Per DoDI 5040.02 (DoD Visual Information Style Guide). AI-assisted corrective techniques on imagery and video require annotation.

• Caption. Visible annotation explaining the AI adjustment.
• Metadata. Non-visible annotation in the file metadata.

Written Products

Written products edited or generated with AI do not require formal annotation per MARADMIN 635/24, but Marines should be transparent about AI assistance when professional context warrants.

Internal vs External

• Internal work products (notes, drafts, analysis). Annotation not required.
• External public products (briefings, news, communications). Annotation required for imagery and video. Transparency for substantial AI assistance.

Limitations of GenAI

Hallucination

GenAI fabricates facts with confident-sounding language.

Example. AI cites "MARADMIN 999/27" that does not exist.

Mitigation. Verify every citation and fact.

Bias

GenAI training data contains biases that may reflect in output.

Mitigation. Be aware of bias. Cross-check sensitive outputs.

Recency

GenAI training data has a cutoff date. Recent policies may be missing.

Mitigation. Verify recency. Use web grounding for current information.

Misunderstanding Context

GenAI may misinterpret user intent or domain context.

Mitigation. Provide clear, specific prompts with context.

Inability to Truly Reason

GenAI generates plausible text. It does not truly reason about military or policy implications.

Mitigation. Apply your own judgment to AI output. Do not delegate decision-making.

A Practical Workflow

Step 1. Define the Task

Clearly identify what you need.

Step 2. Check Data Classification

Confirm the information you will submit is CUI or below.

Step 3. Choose the Tool

• GenAI.mil for general-purpose GenAI work.
• CamoGPT for Marine Corps-specific approved use cases.
• Other authorized tools per command guidance.

Step 4. Provide Clear Context

Write a clear prompt. Include.

• Your role and goal.
• Required output format.
• Specific constraints (length, style, audience).
• Source material (if RAG-enabled).

Step 5. Receive Output

Read the AI response.

Step 6. Verify and Refine

• Verify facts against authoritative sources.
• Refine prompts and re-run if needed.
• Edit the output for your final product.

Step 7. Apply Conventional Skill

• Apply your subject matter expertise.
• Apply institutional Marine voice.
• Ensure compliance with policies and style guides.

Step 8. Annotate If Required

• For AI-adjusted imagery or video, annotate per MARADMIN 635/24.

Step 9. Maintain Accountability

You are accountable for the final product. Be prepared to defend.

Tips and Pitfalls

Tips

• Iterate on prompts. The first response is rarely the best.
• Use RAG to ground AI in your source documents.
• Save useful AI conversations for reference.
• Compare AI outputs from different tools for difficult tasks.
• Learn prompting techniques as part of your AI literacy.

Pitfalls

• Treating AI output as authoritative without verification.
• Submitting PII, PHI, or classified information.
• Using commercial AI for official work.
• Forgetting annotation requirements.
• Letting conventional skills atrophy.
• Pasting personal information into AI.

Coordination With Command

When to Inform Your Chain of Command

• Routine use of GenAI.mil within approved purpose. No notification needed.
• Use of AI for sensitive command products. Inform leadership.
• Proposed adoption of a new AI tool. Coordinate with DC I and command IT.
• Significant time savings or capability improvements. Share back with command for unit-wide benefit.

Building AI Literacy in Your Unit

• Complete the Basic AI Course (mandatory).
• Pursue additional training via MARADMIN 270/25 options.
• Share what works with peers.
• Document AI use cases that benefit the mission.
• Mentor junior Marines on responsible AI use.

Cross References

• For the operational prompt library used every day, see Semper Admin AI Field Manual
• For mandatory foundational training, see Basic AI Course (Mandatory)
• For the enterprise platform, see GenAI.mil Enterprise Platform
• For other authorized tools, see CamoGPT and Other Approved AI Tools
• For ethical principles, see AI Ethical Use
• For additional training, see AI and Data Management Training
• For governance and new tool approval, see AI Governance and Approval
• For overall framework, see AI Overview and Authorities

Quick Reference

• Operating philosophy. Risk-informed experimentation per MARADMIN 214/26.
• Default tool. GenAI.mil.
• Data limit. CUI only.
• Verification. Every output, every time. You are accountable.
• Annotation. AI-adjusted imagery and video per MARADMIN 635/24.
• Skill maintenance. Maintain conventional proficiency.
• Limitations. Hallucination, bias, recency, misunderstanding context.

Records To Keep

• Completed Basic AI Course
• Notes on AI workflows that work for your role
• Documentation of any AI annotations on products you produce
• Awareness of which tools you are authorized to use
• Verification habits established

If you have a question about practical AI use, your unit S-3 training officer and S-1 are first contacts. For platform issues, GenAI.mil help desk at osw.genai@mail.mil. For policy questions, DC I SDO at the POCs in MARADMIN 018/26.