Branches, Sections and Staff
MIU has four branches ran by Reserve Component personnel, and supported by a Headquarters Branch staffed primarily by Active Component Marines
Advanced Capabilities Branch (ACB): The ACB is organized into multiple sections to match unique skillsets to Active Component gaps. The Consulting and Strategy Section will operate adjacent to the Wargaming, Experimentation, and Prototyping and Acquisitions Sections, and lead problem-solving engagements for strategically important Marine Corps challenges across the operating forces.
Commercial Engagement Branch (CEB): The CEB is a diverse team that maps industry players and maintains situational awareness of technological and commercial advancements (e.g., innovative breakthroughs, funding, mergers and acquisitions, industry news, etc.). Team members are subject matter experts who have professional or academic experience and can facilitate outreach to key players when there is a demand signal from the Defense Engagement Branch.
Defense Engagement Branch (DEB): The DEB team 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. Ultimately, our goal is to build lasting partnerships to help our customers deliver high-value, time-sensitive solutions to the warfighter.
DEB also employs a select number of mobilized reservists as Liaison Officers (LNOs), throughout the government science and technology (S&T) ecosystem. The LNOs’ mission is to accelerate capability development by identifying existing and emerging efforts across the DoD and applying them to Marine Corps Force Design problems. These positions will come with 2 to 3 year PCS orders and are not limited to the National Capital Region.
Innovation Laboratory Branch (ILB): The ILB supports Force Design 2030 and the Active Component by recruiting and training Marines with high-demand, low-density skills, conducting experimentation and prototyping, and providing direct support to Active Component stakeholders in priority and emerging technology areas.
Talent Management (TM) Section: The TM Section helps MIU to identify and acquire 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.
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.