Marine Corps Tactics and Operations Group

The Marine Corps Tactics and Operations Group (MCTOG) provides advanced and standardized training in Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations at the battalion and regimental levels to enhance the training and operational performance of Ground Combat Element units. They fall under the command of the Training and Education Command. It was established by General James T. Conway, Commandant of the Marine Corps.

Mission and Vision

 * Mission: To provide advanced and standardized training in Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations at the battalion and regimental levels, and to enhance the training and operational performance of Ground Combat Element units.


 * Vision: “Historical patterns and future trends point to potentially significant shifts in the character and forms of warfare, and the OTTP (Operations and Tactics Training Program) will maintain the balance of traditional and irregular warfighting skills and standards within the Ground Combat Element. This is absolutely critical as we shift our stance toward fighting and winning in the Long War while not losing the combined arms skills which have defined Marines for generations.”

History
The first Operations and Tactics Instructor Course commenced in February 2008.

Programs

 * Operations and Tactics Instructor Course (OTIC):
 * Begins with two weeks of academics where students learn skills in intelligence, counterinsurgency operations, amphibious operations, joint and interagency integration, and campaign planning. The goal is to increase proficiency in command and control, and the processes, systems and procedures of command and control.  OTIC also features two full-length simulation exercises designed to put the Marines’ newly acquired skills to the test.


 * The first exercise, called the Combined Arms Network Exercise, applies the use of fire support coordination, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance management, and battle management.


 * The second exercise, called Major Combat Operations, is set in the scenario of a Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB)-level amphibious assault with complex urban operations, hybrid threat, and a transition to counterinsurgency and stability operations similar to those conducted in Iraq and Afghanistan.


 * With a battle lab containing four battalion combat operations centers, a regimental combat operations center, and company and MEB-level response cell networks, MCTOG is training battalion and regimental battle staff teams to counter hybrid threats.