Chapter Hosts Inaugural IT Day

In April, the chapter hosted the first U.S. Marine Corps IT Day at the Clubs at Quantico. The title of the event was “Role of the Marine Corps in a Green and Changing Security IT Environment.” Kent Schneider, president and chief executive officer of AFCEA International, kicked off the conference. The theme of the event included a three-fold focus: information technology requirements; current trends of information technology support on the battlefield, including an operational overview by a senior U.S. Marine Corps leader coupled with a panel; and an acquisition overview, including the mission of Marine Corps Systems Command, a brief on contract requirements and the role of the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab. The IT Day included keynote presentations from Lt. Gen. Dennis J. Hejlik, USMC, commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force; Maj. Gen. George J. Allen, USMC, director, Command, Control, Communications and Computers/Chief Information Officer (C4/CIO); Maj. Gen. (Sel.) Timothy C. Hanifen, USMC, deputy commanding general, Marine Corps Combat Development Command; Brig. Gen. Michael M. Brogan, USMC, commanding general, Marine Corps Systems Command; and Brig. Gen. Robert F. Hedelund, USMC, commanding general, Marine Corps Warfighting. A highlight of the event included a panel on warfighting information technology requirements moderated by Lt. Gen. Robert Shea, USMC (Ret.), with a three member panel: Brig. Gen. David H. Berger, USMC, director of plans and strategy; Dr. John Burrow, executive director, Marine Corps Systems Command; and James Craft, deputy C4/CIO Headquarters Marine Corps. The presentation included a morning review of operational requirements in support of information technology followed by an afternoon focused on acquisition in support of U.S. Marine Corps requirements. The chapter presented AFCEA International with a check for $10,000 for the scholarship fund, and in lieu of gifts for the speakers the chapter contributed a check for $3,000 to the Wounded Warrior Battalion. Keeping with the theme of a changing information technology environment, each attendee received a contingency of operations planning (COOP) kit with contingency items that might be required in case of an emergency.

Event Photographs: