CALLING MESSAGE FOR CONVENING OF A UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS (USMC) ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE HACKATHON

R 061930Z AUG 26
MARADMIN 356/26
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC DCI WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/CALLING MESSAGE FOR CONVENING OF A UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
(USMC) ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE HACKATHON//
POC/ROBERT J. FUSCO/MAJ/OIC, DC I SDO/TEL: 703-692-3780/EMAIL:
[email protected]//
POC/C. D. CLARK/MAJ/ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE LEAD, DC I SDO/
703-692-3780/[email protected]//
GENTEXT/SITUATION/1. The Deputy Commandant for Information (DC I)
Service Data Office (SDO) will conduct a Marine Corps Artificial
Intelligence (AI) Hackathon at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS)
from 26 to 30 October 2026. The hackathon will be held in
conjunction with the Fall 2026 Naval AI Summit. The hackathon will
consist of two tracks: GenAI.mil agent development and advanced AI
development. "Hackers" will work on their assigned project in order
to deliver tangible products that are useful across the enterprise
and immediately deployed or adopted for further refinement.
All applicants shall select from the list of projects based on their
selected track. This hackathon is open to Marines, Joint Services,
government agencies, industry and academic partners, and contracts
in support of the government.
1.A. Focus areas are divided into two tracks:
1.A.1. GenAI.mil Agent Development: Focused on developing an AI
agent using available tools on GenAI.mil.
1.A.2. Advanced AI Development: Individuals in this track will have
access to coding tools and resources, to include
the NPS high performance compute.
2. Mission. From 26 to 30 October 2026, the SDO will conduct a
Hackathon in conjunction with Naval AI Summit at NPS, in order
to rapidly develop solutions to problems identified by the FMF.
3. Execution
3.A. Commander's intent. Generate practical, digital solutions that
solve registered requirements while accelerating the Marine Corps'
ability to integrate AI-enabled capabilities into operations.
3.B. Objectives.
3.B.1. Hackers will develop solutions for one of the identified
priority projects.
3.B.2 Solutions will be developed using either the GenAI.mil Agent
track on GenAI.mil or the Advanced Development track using
Marine Corps and NPS resources.
3.C. Concept of Operations. This Hackathon will be conducted over
four days in conjunction with Naval AI Summit 2026.
3.C.1. Day 1: Opening remarks, orientation,
team formation, and event execution.
3.C.2. Days 2-3: Continued Hackathon execution.
3.C.3. Day 4: Final presentations,
judging, and recognition.
3.D.  Tasks.
3.D.1. Applicants will apply using the provided url
and will select which track and projects
that would like to work on.
3.E. Coordinating Instructions.
3.E.1. The Hackathon will be held from 26 to 30 October 2026 at
the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA.
3.E.2. All individuals that would like to participate must ensure
command/organizational approval and then apply here:
https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/LGhn4FBb28
3.E.3. All applications must be received by midnight
on 9 October 2026.
3.E.4. Applicants approved for participation will be notified
no later than 16 Oct 2026 via email.
4. Administration and Logistics.
4.A. Funding. The only cost for participation in this event
is travel. All travel costs will be the responsibility of the
participant's parent command or organization.
4.B. Security. The Hackathon will be held at the unclassified level.
4.C. Awards and Recognition. Awards associated with this event are
non-monetary and non-binding in nature. Participation and
recognition do not constitute a contractual agreement, financial
obligation, or endorsement by the Marine Corps or Department of War.
4.D. Additional admin and logistics will be provided
to approved attendees.
5. Release authorized by Lieutenant General J. A. Matos III,
Headquarters Marine Corps, Deputy Commandant for Information.//