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Marines


MARINE INNOVATION UNIT
Marine Innovation Unit - Unit Logo
Marine Corps Forces Reserve
2000 Opelousas Ave., New Orleans, LA. 70114

About MIU

MIU leverages existing Marine talent to win battles. The world's most powerful weapon is still the human mind. Our thinkers, innovators, and improvisers will prove decisive during future conflicts.

MIU serves as an in-demand, force multiplying, supporting entity to Total Force goals with exponential emphasis on capabilities that transition in a timely manner focused on outcomes.

MIU partners with Combat Development & Integration and Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory to support the Secretary of the Navy, Commandant of the Marine Corps, and Major Subordinate Commanders.

Headquartered in New York, MIU is an all-volunteer team from diverse backgrounds working in advanced technology, academia, and makerspaces. Each unit member is team-oriented and strives to modernize the Marine Corps by advancing the unit's objectives and key results. MIU operates globally to provide the Active Component with the untouched talent pool of Reserve Component Marine experience across startups, venture investing, or management consulting in addition to special expertise in emerging “dual-use” technologies
 


 

Mission Statement

MIU leverages existing Marine talent to:

1.  Accelerate the adoption of advanced capabilities.
2.  Transform Naval Service capacity for technology employment.
3.  Retain and invest in Total Force human capital.  

COMMANDING OFFICER 

Colonel 
Brooks Braden

 [ Biography ]     [ Photo ]

EXECUTIVE OFFICER 

Lieutenant Colonel 
Andrew Newbrander

 [ Biography ]     [ Photo ]

SENIOR ENLISTED ADVISOR 

Master Gunnery Sergeant 
David A. Arellano

 [ Biography ]     [ Photo ]

Advanced Capabilities Branch (ACB):

The ACB is organized into multiple sections to match unique skillsets to Active Component gaps: Consulting and Strategy section will operate adjacent to the Wargaming, Experimentation, and Prototyping section alongside the Acquisitions Section to lead problem-solving engagements for strategically important Marine Corps challenges across the Total Force.  The ACB sets itself apart from the other branches by housing the high demand, low density skillsets of reserve Marines that have networks and expertise in the areas focused on operational improvement, whether it is through business processes; modeling, simulation, and prototyping; or the act of acquiring key technologies and capabilities to enhance the efficiency of each supported entity.
 


 

Defense Engagement Branch (DEB):

The DEB supports our Active Component customers in applying technology solutions to solve Marine Corps problems. The team brings diverse expertise and additional capacity to support our customers in building impactful relationships within the vast US Government innovation ecosystem and accelerate capability development by identifying existing and emerging efforts across the DoD and applying them to Marine Corps Force Design problems. DEB also employs a select number of mobilized reservists as Liaison Officers (LNOs), throughout the government science and technology (S&T) ecosystem. 

Liaison Officers: The Mission of the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab’s (MCWL) MIU LNOs is to accelerate capability development by identifying existing and emerging efforts across the USG and applying them to Marine Corps Force Design problems. These MIU Marines fill roles at USG and DoD S&T organizations on behalf of MCWL in support of Marine Corps equities. LNO Representation at these key organizations ensured oversight of transitioning projects, consideration of USMC equities and capabilities in joint programs, guiding acquisition endeavors across the “valley of death”, and searching for and finding projects and technologies of interest for transition to the Total Force.
 


 

Technology Branch (TB):

The Marines in the TB are technical experts with high demand, low density skillsets that can be used to accelerate Force Design. These Marines possess the knowledge, skills, experiences, and networks not commonly found within the Active Component in terms of technological advancements within the civilian sector. They maintain a high situational awareness and proficiency in technological and commercial advancements (e.g., innovative breakthroughs, funding, mergers and acquisitions, industry news, etc.) and can facilitate outreach to key players on behalf of the supported unit. Marines within the Technology Branch can act as third party technical advisers to units and evaluate capabilities that either already exist within the DoD or commercial technologies that have not yet been fielded but can meet the requirements from requesting units.
 


 

Headquarters Branch:

The headquarters branch is a comprised of both Active and Reserve Marines as well as Navy personnel to provide necessary administrative support to the other branches. The headquarters branch oversees recruiting, hiring, and training MIU Marines; ensures unit readiness; and is responsible for providing the necessary support for Marines on engagements.

Talent Management (TM) Section: The TM Section helps MIU to identify, hire, and train highly talented Reserve Marines to accelerate the capability development process for the Marine Corps. TM supports Service Level Talent Management initiatives. The MIU TM section innovates processes to identify, recruit, screen, and efficiently onboard talented Marines to the MIU and share best practices with the Total Force. 

Site Support Staff: The MIU support staff enables MIU to effectively accomplish its mission. This is achieved by taking an innovative approach to traditional staff functions and processes. The objective is to maximize impact by gaining efficiency and minimizing administrative burden. It is composed of active component, active reserve, and SMCR Marines.
 


 

To engage with one of our Branches, please contact us at miu_engagement@usmc.mil

MIU is seeking top talent from Reserve Component Marines with experience across many areas to include: 

  • Human Resources, Talent Management, Talent Optimization

  • Data Science, Data Management, Information and Knowledge Management

  • Cybersecurity, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Red Teaming

  • Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)

  • Project Manager, Program Management

  • Software Developer, Cloud Engineer, Programming, Artificial Intelligence

  • Client Management

  • Wargaming

  • Microsoft Power Platform

  • Web Development, SharePoint

  • Amazon Web Services

  • Graphic Design

  • User Experience, Design Thinking

  • Educators/Facilitators experienced in innovative thinking/teaching

 



Apply to Join

The application process to join MIU in any capacity is highly competitive and involves a talent board.

If you are interested in applying, please click here.

 

10 McDonald Street
Stewart Air National Guard Base
Newburgh, NY 12550

For inquiries about the application process: 
 miu@usmc.mil

For media inquiries: 
 miu_commstrat@usmc.mil

For inquiries in regards to support:
 miu_engagement@usmc.mil

 



news  /  PHOTOS  /  VIDEOS
U.S. Marines with the Marine Innovation Unit (MIU), U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve, participate in a Senior Enlisted Advisor Post and Relief Ceremony in Arlington, Virginia, March 1, 2024. The Post and Relief Ceremony serves as the official changeover between the unit's senior enlisted advisors, honoring U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Robert Lusk, outgoing senior enlisted advisor with MIU, while offering the opportunity for Master Gunnery Sgt. David Arellano, incoming senior enlisted advisor with MIU, to introduce himself to the Marines now under his charge. Stood up in March 2022, MIU leverages existing Marine talent in order to: accelerate the adoption of advanced capabilities; transform Naval Service capacity for technology employment; and retain and invest in Total Force human capital. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Capt. Kevin P. Stapleton)
U.S. Marine Corps Col. Matthew Swindle, left, outgoing commanding officer of the Marine Innovation Unit, holds the colors during a change of command ceremony, Queens, New York, Nov. 5, 2023. The ceremony occurred at a ball hosted by MIU, celebrating the Marine Corps' 248th annual birthday. Col. Brooks Braden, right, assumed command of MIU. Stood up in March 2022, the unit leverages existing Marine talent in order to: accelerate the adoption of advanced capabilities; transform Naval Service capacity for technology employment; and retain and invest in Total Force human capital. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Intriago)
Members of the Marine Innovation Unit, along with the Army Corps of Engineers, discuss the aftermath of a controlled detonation at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, October 19, 2023. This follow-on engagement demonstrates an experimental form of construction which uses 3D printing using liquid concrete to manufacture deliberate, sustainable construction and recovery, and update service policies to support increasing use of local and tactical manufacturing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jonathan L. Gonzalez)
The Marine Innovation Unit (MIU) holds its formal activation ceremony at its home station on Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York. MIU was activated in order to accelerate advanced capabilities, transform Naval Service capacity for technology employment, and retain and invest in highly skilled Marines in support of Force Design 2030 and the CMC’s initiatives.
The senior leadership of the newest Marine Corps unit, the Marine Innovation Unit speak with the Marine Corps Reserve Association. The Marine Corps has always relied on improvisation and resourcefulness to win battles. The world's most powerful weapon is still the human mind. Out thinkers, innovators, and improvisors will price decisive during future conflicts. MIU serves as an in-demand, force multiplying, supporting entity to Total Force goals with exponential emphases on capabilities that transition in a timely manner focused on outcomes.
Master Sgt. David Keith, the Marine Corps Reserve maintenance chief and staff noncommissioned officer–in-charge of additive manufacturing for Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 49 (MALS-49), discusses with Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand’s staff the advances made for KC-130s using additive manufacturing at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York, on Aug. 25, 2022. Master Sgt.
Master Sgt. David Keith, the Marine Corps Reserve maintenance chief and staff noncommissioned officer–in-charge of additive manufacturing for Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 49 (MALS-49), discusses with Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand’s staff the advances made for KC-130s using additive manufacturing at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York, on Aug. 25, 2022. Master Sgt. Keith was board selected to the Marine Innovation Unit (MIU) as part of the Innovation Laboratory due to his unique skill as an additive manufacturer for MALS-49 to further advance Marine Corps technology. The MIU is a newly activated unit designed to accelerate advanced capabilities, transform Naval Service capacity for technology employment, and retain and invest in highly skilled Marines in support of Force Design 2030 and the Commandant of the Marine Corps’ initiatives. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Devin Nathan)
Marines from the Marine Innovation Unit discuss network hacking plans during Cyber Yankee 22 at Camp Nett, Connecticut, June 13, 2022. The Reserve Marines from MIU participated in Cyber Yankee for the first time and plan to continue to support similar exercises to bring extra subject matter expertise in an effort to address advanced technology challenges facing the Department of Defense and the United States. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo By Lance Cpl. Ashley Corbo)
Capt. Matthew Guido, the Marine Corps Reserve assistant aircraft maintenance officer and officer-in-charge of additive manufacturing for Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 49 (MALS-49), discusses with Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand’s staff the advances made for KC-130s using additive manufacturing at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York, on Aug. 25, 2022. Capt. Guido was board selected to the Marine Innovation Unit as part of the Innovation Laboratory due to his unique skill as an additive manufacturer for MALS-49 to further advance Marine Corps technology. The MIU is a newly activated unit designed to accelerate advanced capabilities, transform Naval Service capacity for technology employment, and retain and invest in highly skilled Marines in support of Force Design 2030 and the Commandant of the Marine Corps’ initiatives. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Devin Nathan)

 



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