DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
3000 MARINE CORPS PENTAGON
WASHINGTON DC 20350-3000
MCO 5231.4
DC I (SDO)
11 Mar 2024
MARINE CORPS ORDER 5231.4
From: Commandant of the Marine Corps
To: Distribution List
Subj: MARINE CORPS DATA AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)
Ref: See enclosure (1)
Encl: (1) References
(2) Data Workforce Roles
(3) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Workforce Roles
1. Situation. Data is foundational for all Marine Corps missions and
activities, enabling the Marine Corps Total Force to sense, make sense, and
act at the speed of relevance. Modernizing the enterprise’s information,
data, and information technology (IT) infrastructure enables global data
access; reduces barriers to secure data sharing; uses development, security,
and operations (DevSecOps); and provides a hybrid, multi-cloud environment
from headquarters to the tactical edge. Responsible use of artificial
intelligence (AI) to distill and analyze the data leveraged by the Marine
Corps is an essential capability; further, the responsible use of AI services
can be a force multiplier. The Marine Corps will integrate responsible,
equitable, traceable, reliable, and governable AI capabilities to ensure
adherence to risk identification, management and mitigation, and ethical use
principles in accordance with references (c), (o), and (p), with specific
adherence to the six tenets for responsible AI use and implementation in
reference (c). The Marine Corps Total Force will be manned, trained, and
equipped to use data-centric and AI-enabled capabilities according to
references (a) through (bf). This Order is in accordance with references (a)
through (bl).
a. Service Data Office (SDO). In accordance with reference (bg), Deputy
Commandant for Information (DC I) is appointed as the service lead for data
and AI. DC I will serve as the service representative to Department of
Defense (DoD) organizations in this field. This Order establishes the SDO as
the office responsible for policy, governance, and oversight for Marine Corps
data and AI capabilities across all warfighting functions and informs
requirements for providing authoritative data and AI to the tactical edge.
The SDO is the service lead responsible for enterprise data, AI, information
knowledge management (IKM), and the Marine Corps Software Factory (MCSWF).
The SDO will lead the transformation of the Marine Corps into a data-centric
and AI-enabled force by developing service-level policy and governance to
implement the DoD Data Strategy and Department of the Navy (DON) Data Concept
of Employment (COE). The SDO ensures data analytics and AI-enabled services
are available to the Marine Corps to deliver kinetic and non-kinetic effects
across all warfighting functions.
DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: Approved for public release; distribution is
unlimited.
MCO 5231.4
11 Mar 2024
b. Governance. This Order establishes data and AI governance through
the Functional Data Working Group (FDWG) and Artificial Intelligence Working
Group (AIWG) that serve as the authoritative working groups for all Marine
Corps data and AI matters.
(1) The FDWG is the service-level body for data governance. The
Marine Corps Service Data Officer (MC SDO) is the chair of the FDWG. Members
will be identified in the charter. The FDWG will provide recommendations to
the appropriate governing body. The FDWG provides alignment of policy and
resourcing decisions that impact the Marine Corps Total Force.
(2) The AIWG is the service-level body for AI governance. The MC SDO
is the chair of the AIWG. Members will be identified in the charter. The
AIWG provides alignment of policy, resourcing decisions, and the ethical and
responsible AI principles that impact the Marine Corps Total Force according
to references (o) and (ab). The AIWG will provide recommendations to the
appropriate governing body.
(3) In support of governance and in accordance with references (r),
(s), and (ar), Marine Corps enterprise data roles are as follows:
(a) Marine Corps Service Data Officer (MC SDO). The MC SDO
establishes data and AI policy for the Marine Corps. The MC SDO aligns the
Associate Data Officers (ADOs), Data Stewards, Data Custodians, and Command
Data and Analytics Officers (CDAOs) to enable the warfighter to use
enterprise data and AI capabilities across all DoD mission areas.
(b) Associate Data Officers (ADOs). ADOs are responsible for
managing and overseeing the implementation of data management policies within
their respective organization and assist the MC SDO with the development and
enforcement of data management policies.
(c) Data Stewards. Data Stewards shape how the SDO’s direction
is executed in alignment with their missions and, as such, establish policies
governing authoritative data access, use, protection, quality, and
dissemination for their respective authoritative data sources (ADS). Data
Stewards are responsible for designating vetted data products as ADS and
ensuring existing ADS maintain current standards in accordance with
references (bb) and (bc).
(d) Data Custodians. Data custodians perform mission and
business data-related tasks such as acquiring, collecting, tagging, and
processing data; and granting individual users’ access to additional
information beyond general systems, applications, and file permissions to
perform such functions where appropriate.
(e) Command Data and Analytics Officers (CDAOs). The CDAOs are
responsible for implementing enterprise and domain specific data management
policies and maintaining the quality of the data within their sub-domains.
This individual also facilitates the use of tools to drive data-enabled
decision making for their respective domain.
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(4) Data Stewards, Data Custodians, and CDAOs are collectively
responsible for registering ADS and ensuring data is visible and discoverable
to authorized users across the service in accordance with references (y)
through (ad).
c. Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Workforce. A data-centric and
AI-enabled workforce trained and skilled across multiple data and AI
disciplines are critical for safeguarding vital United States interests and
deterring aggression. This Order identifies the gap between the current and
necessary (or desired) data-centric and AI-enabled workforce and provides
foundational guidance to address this gap.
(1) The service’s data workforce supports policy implementation and
ensures data architecture is resilient, secure, and capable of performing
mission critical tasks with risk management and mitigation controls in place,
according to the Marine Corps Authorizing Official (AO) for IT systems. The
service requires a technical, administrative, and operational data workforce
skilled and capable of supporting and implementing enterprise data services
across all warfighting and business functions in accordance with references
(a), (x), and (z). The data workforce is also responsible for ensuring that
Marine Corps data is visible, accessible, understandable, linked,
trustworthy, interoperable, and secure (VAULTIS) according to references (b),
and (h) through (n).
(2) The Marine Corps must identify its requirements for AI talent to
meet the service’s combat and non-combat needs according to references (q)
and (r). The service must establish a minimum set of competencies to address
future AI workforce knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) in alignment with
DoD efforts, and which, addresses both the technical and non-technical
workforce. The service must identify and close skill gaps within its
training and education curricula. Broadly, the Marine Corps workforce must
lead, drive, create, embed, facilitate, and employ responsible AI, in both
combat and non-combat functions, based on references (r) and (s).
2. Cancellation. MCO 5231.3.
3. Mission. The Marine Corps must develop data and AI technologies,
solutions, and governance; and educate and train its personnel in these
capabilities in order to create, share, comprehend, and leverage data and AI
to increase the speed, effectiveness, accuracy, and efficiency of decision-
making processes at all echelons throughout the cooperation, competition, and
conflict continuum.
4. Execution
a. Commander’s Intent and Concept of Operations
(1) Commander’s Intent. The Marine Corps Total Force will be manned,
trained, and equipped to use data-centric and AI-enabled capabilities.
(2) Concept of Operations. The MC SDO is the service lead for data
and AI. The MC SDO will leverage the FDWG and AIWG to execute a whole-of-
service approach to transforming the Marine Corps into a data-centric and AI-
enabled service. The service will ensure FDWG and AIWG recommendations are
submitted to the MCIEE Board for decision, as appropriate. The SDO publishes
annual Data Implementation Plan(s), AI Implementation Plan(s), and associated
policies to keep pace with the emerging technologies and mission
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requirements. The Data and AI Implementation Plan(s) will have the same
directive authority as this Order.
b. Subordinate Element Missions
(1) Deputy Commandant for Information (DC I)
(a) Serve as the Marine Corps Enterprise Operations Management,
Intelligence, and Geospatial Data Steward.
(b) Oversee the activities of the MC SDO.
(c) Marine Corps Service Data Officer (MC SDO)
1. Serve as the principal advisor to the Commandant of the
Marine Corps (CMC) for Marine Corps data and AI. The MC SDO represents
service-component authoritative data and AI matters at the MCBC, MCIEE Board,
and the Marine Corps Requirements Oversight Council (MROC).
2. Coordinate with the services and secretariat-level
organizations regarding the CMC position for all data and AI matters.
Provide service representation at all applicable AI and data governance
forums.
3. Execute the SDO mission and serve as the final approval
authority in the Marine Corps for data and AI according to references (b),
(c), (d), (l), (m), (q) through (z), (ac), (ad), (ai), (ap), (aq), (ay),
(az), (ba), (bb), (bc), and (bd).
4. Responsible for managing and overseeing the
implementation of data governance and data management policies within their
respective service and assisting the Department of the Navy Chief Data
Officer (DON CDO) in development of data management policies in accordance
with reference (an).
5. Oversee the MCSWF to enable agile software development
according to references (d), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), (r), (s), (t),
(u), (v), (x), (y), (z), (ab), (ac), (af), (ai), (aj), (al), and (am).
6. Publish an annual Data Implementation Plan and an AI
Implementation Plan.
7. Be accountable for service compliance with the data
management protocols for adhering to the VAULTIS standards and requirements.
8. Be accountable for service compliance with the ethical AI
principles according to references (b), (c), (i), (j), (k), (l), (n), (o),
(p), (s), (x), (y), (z), (aa), (ai), (aj), (ak), (ap), (aq), (ar), and (as).
9. Deliver a data catalog that captures ADS, metadata, and
data provenance.
10. Establish Marine Corps data-centric and AI-enabled
architecture that provides design tenets and concepts supporting the DON data
vision according to references (l), (m), (n), (ai), and (aj).
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11. In coordination with Deputy Commandant for Combat
Development and Integration (DC CD&I), Deputy Commandant for Programs and
Resources (DC P&R), and DC I, provide input to the Program Objective
Memorandum (POM) and Planning, Programming, Budgeting, Execution, and
Assessment (PPBEA) processes. Support DC CD&I in the identification of
authoritative data and AI requirements to support Marine Corps missions
according to references (d), (ae), (af), (ag), (al), (am), and (an).
12. Provide oversight in coordination with DC CD&I, DC I,
Commander, Marine Corps Systems Command (COMMARCORSYSCOM), and DC P&R on
governance matters relating to authoritative data and responsible AI,
governance, resourcing, capital planning, investment control, data and AI
portfolio management, and enterprise data architecture for all DoD mission
areas according to references (aa), (ab), (ac), (al), (am), and (an).
13. Deliver and maintain a repository of current software
libraries in support of data services and AI models vetted for use in
unclassified and classified environments for all Marine Corps personnel
according to references (d), (j), (l), (y), (z), (aa), (ai), and (aj).
14. Deliver and maintain a repository of data producer and
consumer Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).
15. Establish and chair data and AI governance forums that
report to the MCBC.
16. Appoint ADOs, in writing, to assist in the adoption of
data-centric and AI capabilities in accordance with references (i), (l), and
(m). The MC SDO is the single Marine Corps authority who can appoint ADOs.
Inform SDO data management and RAI capabilities and policy development and
enforcement efforts. Manage and oversee the implementation of data
management and responsible AI capabilities and policies within the
organization.
(d) Implement compliance with the data management protocols for
adhering to the VAULTIS standards and requirements. Implement compliance
with the responsible AI principles according to references (b), (c), (i),
(j), (k), (l), (n), (o), (p), (s), (x), (y), (z), (aa), (ai), (aj), (ak),
(ap), (aq), (ar), and (as).
(e) Provide oversight in coordination with the MC SDO, DC CD&I,
COMMARCORSYSCOM, and DC P&R on governance matters relating to information and
intelligence resourcing, cybersecurity, capital planning, investment control,
IT portfolio management, and Marine Corps Enterprise Network architecture for
all DoD mission areas according to references (aa), (ab), (ac), (al), (am),
and (an).
(f) Serve as the Marine Corps AO for Marine Corps IT systems.
Ensure Marine Corps IT system adherence with data security control policy,
governance, and guidance issued by the DoD, DON, and MC SDO.
(g) Develop a Data and AI Workforce Delivery Roadmap in
coordination with the Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (DC
M&RA), Commanding General of Training and Education Command (CG TECOM) and
other agencies, as required.
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(h) The MC SDO will identify data and AI use cases on an annual
basis.
(2) Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration (DC
CD&I)
(a) Serve as the Marine Corps Warfighting and Force Application
Data Steward and principal requirements developer with MROC oversight and
governance for warfighter requirements. Inform MC SDO data management and AI
policy development and enforcement efforts. Manage and oversee the
implementation of data management and AI policies within the organization.
(b) Provide DC CD&I representation at all service-level
governance forums for data and AI.
(c) Ensure capability portfolio managers (CPMs) take a
responsible and ethical approach to deliver data and AI capability
assessments, development, and planning in accordance with reference (c).
(d) Require CPMs to participate, access, and help to implement
the MC SDO Data and AI Implementation Plan.
(e) Support Data and AI personnel resourcing requirements as
identified in the Data and AI workforce delivery roadmap.
(f) Transition the outcomes from the Doctrine, Organization,
Training/Education, Materiel, Leadership/Communication Synchronization,
Personnel, Facilities, and Cost Working Group (DOTMLPF/C WG) to the
appropriate organization or forum to incorporate the desired outcomes, and
recommend updates to the Data and AI Implementation Plans according to
references (a), (b), (d), (h), (j), (l), (q), (r), (s), (w), (x), (aa), (af),
(ag), (ah), (ak), (al), (am), (an), (ao), (ap), and (as).
(g) Direct CPMs to enterprise data-driven and responsible AI-
enabled solutions when identifying, prioritizing, and assigning appropriate
requirements and funding to initiate appropriate program baseline changes.
(h) Support all CPMs in coordination with the Data Stewards for
authoritative data and responsible AI across all applicable enterprise
programming teams and throughout POM activities and processes according to
references (a), (b), (d), (h), (j), (l), (q), (r), (s), (w), (x), (aa), (af),
(ag), (ah), (ak), (al), (am), (an), (ao), (ap), and (as).
(i) Plan, integrate, and conduct wargaming that represents the
use of established Programs of Record (POR), authoritative data, and
responsible AI capabilities. Ensure compliance with VAULTIS and the
responsible AI principles during wargames.
(j) Provide CPM guidance to ensure reliable and trusted
autonomous and semi-autonomous weapons systems, lethal or non-lethal, are
considered, developed, and matured to comply with VAULTIS requirements and
responsible AI principles based on references (c), (ap), (aq), and (as).
(k) Where appropriate, CPMs will identify key performance
parameters (KPP) for system performance attributes and key system attributes
for the future data and AI workforce to implement VAULTIS using authoritative
data and ethical AI principles during requirements development according to
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references (a), (b), (d), (h), (j), (l), (q), (r), (s), (w), (x), (aa), (af),
(ag), (ah), (ak), (al), (am), (an), (ao), (ap), (as), and (ba).
(l) In coordination with COMMARCORSYSCOM and the Milestone
Decision Authority (MDA), encourage the maximum use of the Adaptive
Acquisitions Framework (AAF) for current and future programs to ensure data
and AI capability requirements are designed, procured, tested, upgraded,
operated, and sustained to keep pace with technology in accordance with
references (ae) through (ah).
(3) Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources (DC P&R)
(a) Serve as the Marine Corps Financial Data Steward. Inform SDO
data management and AI policy development and enforcement efforts. Manage
and oversee the implementation of data management and AI policies within the
organization.
(b) Provide fiscal counsel to ensure the Marine Corps Critical
Infrastructure Program (MCCIP) is feasible within the anticipated Marine
Corps Total Obligation Authority (TOA) according to references (a), (b), (d),
(h), (j), (l), (q), (r), (s), (w), (x), (aa), (af), (ag), (ah), (ak), (al),
(am), (an), (ao), (ap), and (as).
(c) Prioritize PPBEA for data and AI according to the DoD
Strategic Management Plan, Force Design 2030, and Force Development and
Integration. Include data and AI in the DC CD&I Force Implementation Plan
and transition it from planning to programming according to references (a),
(b), (c), (d), (h), (j), (l), (q), (r), (s), (w), (x), (aa), (af), (ag),
(ah), (ak), (al), (am), (an), (ao), (ap), (as), and (ba).
(d) Provide program and resource analysis to DC CD&I and the MC
SDO during all phases of the cost-based analysis for data and AI.
(e) Update DC CD&I on data and AI MCCIP to ensure programs are
within the TOA for the current POM cycle.
(4) Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (DC M&RA)
(a) Serve as the Marine Corps Human Resources and Human Capital
Data Steward. Inform SDO data management and AI policy development and
enforcement efforts. Manage and oversee the implementation of data
management and AI policies within the organization.
(b) Develop a Talent Management Roadmap that addresses all
military and civilian personnel, including the Military Occupational
Specialty (MOS) and Office of Personnel Management occupational series
conversion of billets. Align with the DC CD&I Workforce Delivery Roadmap,
Service-level Data Implementation Plan, and AI Implementation Plan. Inform
and prioritize implementation of outcomes from the DC CD&I-led DOTMLPF/C WGs
according to references (a), (b), (d), (h), (j), (l), (q), (r), (s), (w),
(x), (aa), (af), (ag), (ah), (ak), (al), (am), (an), (ao), (ap), (as), and
(ba).
(c) Plan, identify, and appropriately track uniform and civilian
personnel with data science, data management, data analysis, and AI talent
according to references (a), (b), (d), (h), (j), (l), (q), (r), (s), (w),
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(x), (aa), (af), (ag), (ah), (ak), (al), (am), (an), (ao), (ap), (as), (ba),
and (bf) and in compliance with references (aw) and (ax).
(d) In coordination with DON CDOs, and DC I, ensure data/AI work
role coding efforts are codified in authoritative manpower and personnel
systems as part of the DON Data Zero Based Review.
(e) Develop and execute a plan of action to recruit, train and
retain data and AI experts.
(f) Create a retention plan for data science, data management,
and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) talent pursuant to
references (a), (b), (d), (h), (j), (l), (q), (r), (s), (w), (x), (aa), (af),
(ag), (ah), (ak), (al), (am), (an), (ao), (ap), (as), and (ba).
(g) Establish policy for workforce training and to advance data
and AI/ML education according to references (a), (b), (d), (h), (j), (l),
(q), (r), (s), (w), (x), (aa), (af), (ag), (ah), (ak), (al), (am), (an),
(ao), (ap), (as), and (ba).
(5) Deputy Commandant for Aviation (DC AVN). Serve as the Marine
Corps Aviation Data Steward. Inform SDO data management and AI policy
development and enforcement efforts. Manage and oversee the implementation
of data management and AI policies within the organization.
(6) Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies, and Operations (DC PP&O).
Serve as the Marine Corps Readiness Data Steward. Inform SDO data management
and AI policy development and enforcement efforts. Manage and oversee the
implementation of data management and AI policies within the organization.
(7) Deputy Commandant for Installations and Logistics (DC I&L).
Serve as the Marine Corps Logistics and Sustainment Data Steward. Inform SDO
data management and AI policy development and enforcement efforts. Manage
and oversee the implementation of data management and AI policies within the
organization.
(8) Commander, Marine Corps Systems Command (COMMARCORSYSCOM)
(a) Serve as the Marine Corps Acquisition Data Steward. Inform
SDO data management and AI policy development and enforcement efforts.
Manage and oversee the implementation of data management and AI policies
within the organization.
(b) In coordination with DC CD&I and the MDA, encourage the
maximum use of the AAF for current and future programs to ensure data and AI
capability requirements are designed, procured, tested, upgraded, operated,
and sustained to keep pace with technology in accordance with references (ae)
through (ah).
(c) Conduct Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation activity
for data and AI.
(9) Commanding General of Training and Education Command (CG TECOM)
(a) Serve as the Marine Corps Training and Education Data
Steward. Inform SDO data management and AI policy development and
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enforcement efforts. Manage and oversee the implementation of data
management and AI policies within the organization.
(b) Be prepared to develop new MOSs and integrate data and AI
skills into existing MOSs based on outcomes from the Data and AI DOTMLPF/C
WG, Data Implementation Plan, and AI Implementation Plan in coordination with
the MC SDO, DC I, DC CD&I and M&RA that is consistent with references (a),
(b), (d), (h), (j), (l), (r), (s), (w), (x), (aa), (af), (ag), (ah), (ak),
(al), (am), (an), (ao), (ap), and (as).
(c) Identify and explore opportunities to integrate responsible
authoritative data, AI, and machine learning applications across the training
and education continuum to enhance tactical decision making in contested
environments.
(d) Assign a manager to develop and publish authoritative data
and responsible AI training doctrine.
(10) Communication Directorate (CD). Serve as the Marine Corps
Visual Information Data Steward. Inform SDO data management and AI policy
development and enforcement efforts. Manage and oversee the implementation
of data management and AI policies within the organization.
(11) Fleet Marine Force (FMF) Commanders
(a) Support DC CD&I in the identification of data and AI
requirements to support service, FMF, combatant commands, and U.S. Government
activities.
(b) Provide inputs to DC P&R to inform PPBEA.
(c) Support DC CD&I’s identification of requirements for data and
AI for doctrine, manpower, training, education, and equipment.
(d) Integrate data and responsible AI into wargaming and
exercises. Use data and responsible AI capabilities at operational and
tactical levels.
(e) Appoint a CDAO to participate in the FDWG and the AIWG.
(12) Office of the Counsel to the Commandant (CL) and Staff Judge
Advocate (SJA) to the Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC)
(a) Consistent with references (bj) and (bk), provide legal
advice to the CMC, MC SDO, and other Headquarters Marine Corps departments
and organizations for data and AI.
(b) Consistent with references (bj) and (bk), conduct legal
reviews of data and AI plans and activities to ensure compliance with
domestic and international legal obligations, according to regulations,
policies, treaties, and agreements, as applicable.
(c) Consistent with references (bj) and (bk), serve as the Marine
Corps Legal Data Stewards. Inform SDO data management and AI policy
development and enforcement efforts. Manage and oversee the implementation
of data management and AI policies within the organization.
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(d) Coordinate with the DoD Office of General Counsel, the
General Counsel of the Navy, other DoD Agency General Counsels, the Legal
Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the United States
Navy’s Office of the Judge Advocate General regarding data and AI matters.
(13) Office of Legislative Affairs. Serve as the Marine Corps
Legislative Data Steward. Inform MC SDO data management and AI policy
development and enforcement efforts. Manage and oversee the implementation
of data management and AI policies within the organization.
(14) Data Stewards
(a) Identify, designate, and register ADS in the Marine Corps
data catalog and coordinate with the MC SDO and associated governing boards
to provide access to authoritative data via an approved API.
(b) Identify and appoint Data Custodians, and CDAOs upon
signature of this Order. Data Stewards, Data Custodians, and CDAOs will
execute the Data and AI Implementation Plans in coordination with the MC SDO.
(c) Attend the FDWG and AIWG to support the execution of data
lifecycle management for ADS and responsible AI governance.
(d) Inform data and AI talent management for the workforce. For
their information domain, inform authoritative data and AI training
requirements, workforce development, and doctrine encompassing all non-
materiel requirements in coordination with CG TECOM, DC CD&I, and DC P&R, and
MC SDO according to references (h), (l), (m), (q), (r), (s), (ai), (aj),
(ak), (al), (am), and (an).
(e) In coordination with MC SDO, DC CD&I, and DC P&R, provide
input to the POM and PPBEA processes for data and AI requirements pertaining
to their information domain. Support DC CD&I in the identification of
authoritative data and AI requirements to support Marine Corps missions
according to references (d), (ae), (af), (ag), (al), (am), and (an).
c. Coordinating Instructions
(1) The FDWG and AIWG will update their charter every three years.
As necessary, the FDWG and AIWG will use memorandums of understanding to
drive the delivery of data-driven and AI-enabled outcomes.
(2) Data and AI personnel resourcing requirements will be registered
with DC CD&I as appropriate and in accordance with DC CD&I requirements
development process.
(3) DC CD&I and MC SDO will develop a methodology for data valuation.
DC CD&I will integrate data and AI into testing and experimentation with an
emphasis on wargaming.
(4) CDAOs for the Program Executive Office Digital and Enterprise
Services, DC CD&I, Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC), and DC P&R will
review all existing and emerging programmatic efforts to identify and
consolidate duplicative efforts for data and AI into the enterprise solution.
Develop and execute a roadmap to upgrade Marine Corps infrastructure to
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support data and AI requirements in coordination with MC SDO, DC I, and the
FMF on an annual basis.
(5) DC I will initiate automating cybersecurity reviews and approvals
in accordance with DevSecOps practices.
5. Administration and Logistics
a. Records Management. Records created as a result of this Order shall
be managed according to National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)-
approved dispositions in reference (au), SECNAV M-5210.1 w/CH-1, to ensure
proper maintenance, use, accessibility, and preservation, regardless of
format or medium. Records disposition schedules are located on the
Department of the Navy/Assistant for Administration (DON/AA), Directives and
Records Management Division (DRMD) portal page at:
https://portal.secnav.navy.mil/orgs/DUSNM/DONAA/DRM/Records-and-Information-
Management/Approved%20Record%20Schedules/Forms/AllItems.aspx. Refer to
reference (av), MCO 5210.11F, for Marine Corps records management policy and
procedures.
b. Privacy Act. Any misuse or unauthorized disclosure of Personally
Identifiable Information (PII) may result in both civil and criminal
penalties. The Department of the Navy (DON) recognizes that the privacy of
an individual is a personal and fundamental right that shall be respected and
protected. The DON’s need to collect, use, maintain, or disseminate PII
about individuals for purposes of discharging its statutory responsibilities
shall be balanced against the individuals’ right to be protected against
unwarranted invasion of privacy. All collection, use, maintenance, or
dissemination of PII shall be in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as
amended [reference (aw)] and implemented per reference (ax).
c. Forms. There are no forms used in this Order.
d. Updates. Updates made to this Order must be done in accordance with
the current iteration of reference (bl).
e. Recommendations. Recommendations concerning the contents of this
Order are welcomed and may forwarded to DC I (SDO) via the appropriate chain
of command.
6. Command and Signal
a. Command. This Order is applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force.
b. Signal. This Order is effective the date signed.
M. G. GLAVY
Deputy Commandant for
Information
DISTRIBUTION: PCN 10255308300
11
MCO 5231.4
11 Mar 2024
References
(a) “2022 National Defense Strategy,” October 27, 2022
(b) “DoD Data Strategy,” September 30, 2020
(c) “U.S. Department of Defense Responsible Artificial Intelligence Strategy
and Implementation Pathway,” June 2022
(d) “DoD Strategic Management Plan Fiscal Years 2022-2026,” March 6, 2023
(e) DoDD 5240.01 w/CH-3, “DoD Intelligence Activities,” November 9, 2020
(f) DoDD 5143.01 w/CH-2, “Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and
Security (USD(I&S)),” April 6, 2020
(g) DoDD 5250.01 w/CH-1, “Management of Intelligence Mission Data (IMD) in
DoD Acquisition,” August 29, 2017
(h) MCO 5311.1E
(i) Under Secretary of the Navy Memorandum, “Designation of the Department of
the Navy Chief Data Officer,” October 2, 2019
(j) SECNAVINST 5000.36A
(k) SECNAVINST 5510.30C
(l) “Naval Data Management Concept of Employment v1.0,” August 28, 2020
(m) “Creating Information Superiority at the Speed of Mission: Department of
the Navy Implementation Plan of the Department of Defense Data Strategy,”
October 16, 2020
(n) The United States Marine Corps Data Implementation Plan
(o) “AI Foundations for the Marine Corps: Investment Strategy, Enablers, and
Responsible AI,” June 2021
(p) DEPSECDEF Memorandum, “Implementing Responsible Artificial Intelligence
in the Department of Defense,” May 26, 2021
(q) “DoD AI Education Strategy,” September 2020
(r) USMC Talent Management 2030
(s) USMC Force Design 2030 Annual Update
(t) DEPSECDEF Memorandum, “Creating Data Advantage,” May 5, 2021
(u) DoDD 8000.01 w/CH-1, “Management of the Department of Defense Information
Enterprise (DoD IE),” July 27, 2017
(v) “Department of the Navy Information Superiority Vision,” February 2020
(w) Tri-Service Strategy, “Advantage at Sea Prevailing with Integrated
All-Domain Naval Power,” December 2020
(x) MCDP-8
(y) DoDI 8320.02 w/CH-1, “Sharing Data, Information, and Information
Technology (IT) Services in the Department of Defense,” June 24, 2020
(z) ICD 501, “Discovery and Dissemination or Retrieval of Information Within
the Intelligence Community,” January 21, 2009
(aa) MCO 5230.21
(ab) Executive Order 14110, “Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and
Use of Artificial Intelligence,” October 30, 2023
(ac) “Business Enterprise Architecture (BEA) Version 11.2,” April 4, 2019
(ad) 10 U.S.C. § 132
(ae) DoDI 5000.02 w/CH-1, “Operation of the Adaptive Acquisition Framework,”
June 8, 2022
(af) DoDI 5000.87, “Operation of the Software Acquisition Pathway,”
October 2, 2020
(ag) DoDI 5000.74 w/CH-1, “Defense Acquisition of Services,” June 24, 2021
(ah) JCIDS Manual, “Manual for the Operation of the Joint Capabilities
Integration and Development System,” October 20, 2021
(ai) MCIEE Blueprint Iteration 1.0
(aj) United States Marine Corps Enterprise Network Modernization Plan
Iteration 2.2
(ak) “A Concept for Stand-in Forces,” December 2021
(al) MCO 5000.27
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MCO 5231.4
11 Mar 2024
(am) MCO 7000.1
(an) Under Secretary of the Navy Memorandum, “Department of the Navy Data
Management Roles and Responsibilities Framework,” August 23, 2021
(ao) MCO 4000.57B
(ap) “Joint All-Domain Command & Control (JADC2) Strategy,” March 2022
(aq) DoDD 3000.09, “Autonomy in Weapon Systems,” January 25, 2023
(ar) “Final Report: National Security Commission on Artificial
Intelligence,” March 1, 2021
(as) DON CIO Memorandum, “Designation of the Navy Data Stewards”
March 26, 2020
(at) “The Intelligence Community Data Management Lexicon,” January 2022
(au) SECNAV M-5210.1 w/CH-1
(av) MCO 5210.11F
(aw) 5 U.S.C. § 552a
(ax) SECNAVINST 5211.5F
(ay) ICD 113, “Functional Managers,” May 19, 2009
(az) “Intelligence Community Information Environment (IC IE) Data Strategy
2017–2021”
(ba) DoDD 8140.01, “Cyberspace Workforce Management,” October 5, 2020
(bb) DoD CDAO Memorandum, “Guidance on Designating Authoritative Data Sets,”
November 3, 2022
(bc) “Department of Defense Data, Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence
Adoption Strategy”
(bd) 44 U.S.C. § 3520
(be) P.L. § 115-435
(bf) DoDM 8140.03, “Cyberspace Workforce Qualification and Management
Program,” February 15, 2023
(bg) Commandant of the Marine Corps Memorandum to Deputy Commandant for
Information, “Appointment as the Service Lead for Artificial
Intelligence,” May 21, 2019
(bh) MCO 1200.18
(bi) Marine Corps Training and Information Management System (MCTIMS)
(bj) SECNAVINST 5430.25F
(bk) SECNAVINST 5430.27E
(bl) MCO 5215.1K w/Admin CH-1
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MCO 5231.4
11 Mar 2024
Data Workforce Roles
1. Marine Corps Service Data Officer (MC SDO). Responsible for managing and
overseeing the implementation of data governance and data management policies
within their respective service and assisting the DON CDO in development of
data management policies in accordance with reference (an).
2. Associate Data Officer (ADO). Responsible for managing and overseeing
the implementation of data management policies within their respective
organization and assisting the SDO with the development and enforcement of
data management policies.
3. Data Steward. Responsible for creating and implementing data management
policies, maintaining the quality of the data within their domain, and
coordinating across domains with mission stakeholders to ensure data is
consistent, available, and accessible in accordance with reference (an).
4. Data Custodian. Responsible for mission and business data-related tasks
such as acquiring, collecting, tagging, and processing data, and granting
individual users’ access to additional information beyond general systems,
applications, and file permissions to perform such functions where
appropriate in accordance with reference (an).
5. Command Data and Analytics Officer (CDAO). Responsible for implementing
enterprise, domain-specific data management policies and maintaining the
quality of the data within their sub-domains. This individual also
facilitates the use of tools to drive data-enabled decision making for their
respective domain per reference (an).
6. Data Producer. Responsible for producing and managing data in accordance
with data management policies; rectifying data quality issues; and
participating in data governance activities as required per reference (at).
7. System Owner. Responsible for maintaining systems; ensuring
availability, integrity, and confidentiality of data within the system; and
providing appropriate system access to data consumers and producers per
reference (at).
8. Data Architect. Responsible for the overall data functional construct of
an organization, its data architecture and data models, and the design of the
databases and data integration solutions that support the organization.
Additional detail: design the eco-system (e.g., procedures, governance, and
architectures) to hold, manage, process, and preserve or dispose of data.
Enable an organization to manage its data as an asset and increase the value
it gets from its data by identifying opportunities for data usage, cost
reduction, and risk mitigation making data driven intelligence possible in
accordance with reference (at).
9. Analytic Developer. A person (e.g., software developer or analyst) who
designs, codes, and/or tests software for the exploration and processing of
data to discover and identify meaningful information and trends in accordance
with reference (at).
10. Data Analytics Specialist. Responsible for querying, engineering, and
analyzing data in accordance with data management policies to support mission
and business functions and tasks in accordance with reference (an).
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11. Data Engineer. Responsible for conditioning data to fit within the data
architecture and transforms it to be exploitable. Additional details:
transform data into usable and computationally accessible forms, condition
data through extraction/cleansing/transformation/loading (ECTL) (aka: data
munging), and implement data systems which separate data from application and
scale as required per reference (at).
12. Data Modeler. Responsible for reviewing and validating data
requirements, providing technical data solutions and designing logical and
physical data structures in support of domain-specific needs per reference
(at).
13. Data Scientist. Responsible for creating repeatable means to draw key
insights and signal from data. Additional details: invent, perfect, or
apply algorithms to extract insights from data. Specialists in a range of
mathematical, computational, and visualization techniques that allow an
organization to draw the greatest benefit from data holdings in terms of
insight and decision advantage per reference (at).
14. Data Security Engineer. Responsible for protecting data resources from
unauthorized discovery, access, use, modification, and/or destruction. The
Data Security Engineer is also responsible for designing and implementing
Zero Trust architecture for data protection. Secure data sharing relies on
several key functions: data identification, categorization, and labeling;
entitlement management; and policy establishment per reference (at). Note:
data security is a component of data protection.
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MCO 5231.4
11 Mar 2024
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Workforce Roles
1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Researcher. AI technology and research
expert that pushes Marine Corps AI capability forward. Develops new
foundational AI techniques and applications. Predicts and prepares for
future use cases. Informs innovative approaches to using AI tools.
2. Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) Engineer. Builds,
tests, integrates, and deploys AI tools. Provides coding and programming
expertise. Understands how AI tools will be used and ensures alignment to
the ethical AI principles.
3. Test and Evaluation Engineer. Evaluates system capabilities and
limitations. Identifies operational risks and accounts for the warfighter’s
use cases. Understands and identifies AI failure modes. Characterizes
performance within and outside operational parameters.
4. Deployment Engineer. Manages the integration, deployment, and operation
of AI systems to support combat and non-combat uses. Capable of executing
enterprise scale, including network, compute infrastructure, and data
engineering pipelines. Manages systems infrastructure. Understands and
effectively communicates deployment constraints to the appropriate technical
and non-technical decision makers.
5. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technician. Sets up systems to collect and
analyze data. Conducts troubleshooting for ML models. Capable of creating
data capture and sharing for combat and non-combat systems. Understands AI
tools and coding to identify and resolve issues with models. Is the initial
point of contact for the Marine Corps workforce to get help with using AI
tools.
6. Product Owner. Turns the product vision into an actionable backlog. Is
the voice of the Marine Corps workforce to ensure requirements match needs.
Advocates for Marines and civilians in front of the AI development teams.
Optimizes the AI tool development process. Coordinates with deployment
engineers to ensure rapid delivery.
7. User Interface/User Experience (UI/UX). Designs AI tool interfaces for
usability and accessibility. Ensures AI tool interface supports end user
accessibility. Understands how to collaborate with personnel that create AI
to add Marine and civilian user specifications according to use cases and
capability requirements. Shape the way the Marine Corps workforce interacts
with AI systems and tools.
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APPENDIX A
Glossary of Acronyms and Abbreviations
AAF Adaptive Acquisitions Framework
ADO Associate Data Officer
ADS Authoritative Data Sources
AI Artificial Intelligence
AI/ML Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning
AIWG Artificial Intelligence Working Group
AO Authorizing Official
API Application Programming Interface
BEA Business Enterprise Architecture
CD Communication Directorate
CDAO Command Data and Analytics Officer
CG TECOM Commanding General of Training and Education Command
CL Counsel to the Commandant
CMC Commandant of the Marine Corps
COE Concept of Employment
COMMARCORSYSCOM Commander, Marine Corps Systems Command
CPM Capability Portfolio Manager
DC AVN Deputy Commandant for Aviation
DC CD&I Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration
DC I Deputy Commandant for Information
DC I&L Deputy Commandant for Installations and Logistics
DC M&RA Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs
DC P&R Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources
DC PP&O Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies, and Operations
DevSecOps Development, Security, and Operations
DoD Department of Defense
DoD IE Department of Defense Information Enterprise
DON Department of the Navy
DON CDO Department of the Navy Chief Data Officer
DON/AA Department of the Navy/Assistant for Administration
DOTMLPF/C WG Doctrine, Organization, Training/Education, Materiel,
Leadership/Communication Synchronization, Personnel,
Facilities, and Cost Working Group
DRMD Directives and Records Management Division
ECTL Extraction/Cleansing/Transformation Loading
FDM Functional Data Manager
FDWG Functional Data Working Group
FMF Fleet Marine Force
IC Intelligence Community
IKM Information Knowledge Management
IMD Intelligence Mission Data
IT Information Technology
JADC2 Joint All-Domain Command and Control
KPP Key Performance Parameters
KSA Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
MC SDO Marine Corps Service Data Officer
MCBC Marine Corps Business Council
MCCIP Marine Corps Critical Infrastructure Program
MCIEE Marine Corps Information Enterprise Environment
MCO Marine Corps Order
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MCSC Marine Corps Systems Command
MCSWF Marine Corps Software Factory
MCTIMS Marine Corps Training and Information Management System
MDA Milestone Decision Authority
MOS Military Occupational Specialty
MROC Marine Corps Requirements Oversight Council
NARA National Archives and Records Administration
NIST National Institute of Standards in Technology
NSCAI National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence
OSD Office of the Secretary of Defense
PII Personally Identifiable Information
POM Program Objective Memorandum
POR Program of Record
PPBEA Planning, Programming, Budgeting, Execution, and
Assessment
SDO Service Data Office
SJA Staff Judge Advocate
TECOM Training and Education Command
TOA Total Obligation Authority
UI/UX User Interface/User Experience
USD I&S Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security
VAULTIS Visible, Accessible, Understandable, Linked,
Trustworthy, Interoperable, and Secure
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APPENDIX B
Glossary of Terms and Definitions
1. Application. Any software that uses an existing operating system program
to provide the user with a specific capability or system program to provide
the user with a specific capability or function that is independent of other
“applications.” If it is dependent on other applications, it becomes a
system.
2. Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI refers to the ability of machines to
perform tasks that normally require human intelligence – for example,
recognizing patterns, learning from experience, drawing conclusions, making
predications, or taking action – whether digitally or as the smart software
behind autonomous physical systems.
3. Authoritative Data Source. A source of data or information that is
recognized to be valid or trusted because it is considered to be highly
reliable or accurate, or is from an official publication or reference; and
databases that have been identified, described, and designated in DADMS by
appropriate DON Functional Data Managers (FDMs) as the authorized source of
data for a given requirement.
4. Cloud Computing. A technology that allows convenient, on-demand network
access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks,
servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned
and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction.
Depending on user needs, and other considerations, cloud computing services
are typically deployed using one of the four models defined in the National
Institute of Standards in Technology (NIST) Definition of Cloud Computing.
5. Data Management Plan. A plan that documents how specific data will be
collected, processed, used, and curated to facilitate long-term data
management decisions and actions. It includes topics such as: description
of the data to be collected/created; authority under which data is collected;
standards/methodologies for data collection and management; ethics and
intellectual property concerns or restrictions; plans for data sharing and
access; and strategy for long-term preservation of the data in accordance
with reference (at).
6. Machine Learning. The study or the application of computer algorithms
that automatically improve through experience. Machine learning algorithms
build a model based on training data in order to perform a specific task,
like aiding in the prediction or decision-making processes, without
necessarily being explicitly programmed to do so.
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7. Metadata. Data describing the structure, data elements,
interrelationships, and other characteristics of an electronic record.
Usually described as data about the data.
8. Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI). Responsible AI is a dynamic
approach to the design, development, deployment, and use of AI systems that
implements the DoD AI Ethical Principles to advance the trustworthiness of
such systems.
9. Structured Data. Any data that has an enforced composition to the atomic
data types. The data is managed by technology, which allows for querying and
reporting. A database is structured data.
10. Unstructured Data. Any data in an unstructured format at the atomic
level. Refers to computerized information which does not have a data
structure that is easily readable by a machine and requires human
intervention to make the data machine readable. Examples of unstructured
data are e-mail, spreadsheets, or word processing documents.
11. Use Case. A use case is a specific situation in which a product or
service could potentially be used.
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