MARINE INNOVATION UNIT

About MIU

MIU leverages the unique talent of the Marine Corps Reserve to help create a more lethal and survivable force. The world's most powerful weapon is still the human mind, and thinkers, innovators, and improvisers will prove decisive during future conflicts.

MIU serves as an on-demand supporting entity charged with accelerating the development and deployment of advanced capabilities, transforming the Naval Services’ capacity for technology and employment, and recruiting and retaining top reserve talent. MIU partners with Combat Development & Integration and Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory to support the units and organizations across the Marine Corps.

Headquartered at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York and operating across the country, MIU is an all-volunteer Selected Marine Corps Reserve unit that draws on the unique civilian skills, education and experience of the Marine Corps Reserve

STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION

MIU’s structure is aligned to six dual-use functional areas: Robotic & Autonomous Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Coding and Software Development, Cyber, Logistics and Supply Chains, and Enterprise Solutions. Each MIU Marine is assigned to one of these functionally-aligned Detachments. Additional supporting structure exists in the form of three Groups, which provide overall leadership and direction for subordinate Detachments, as well as a Marine Innovation Support Detachment, which provides talent and manpower management across the unit.

MIU also maintains a network of Liaison Officers – Marines serving in a full-time capacity with other partner organizations across the defense innovation ecosystem, including the Defense Innovation Unit and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

In addition to the Selected Marine Corps Reserve structure outlined above, MIU also has a small number of active-duty personnel supporting the unit’s administrative and operational readiness from the Home Training Center aboard Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York.

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

SERVICE WITH MIU

MIU Marines serve in a unique, elastic, and non-traditional manner. Like all members of the Marine Corps Reserve, they are expected to clearly communicate their capacity to serve and meet Marine Corps readiness requirements; doing so allows MIU to provide support to the Total Force with certainty and effectiveness. A Marine’s continued affiliation with MIU is directly related to that Marine’s responsiveness and contributions. Prior to applying to the MIU, Marines should carefully assess if they are able to meaningfully commit to service with the unit, bearing in mind the following requirements.

1. Culture: MIU Marines are expected to maintain the highest standards of conduct, ethical behavior, fitness, and appearance while demonstrating professional growth in ways beneficial to the Marine Corps. MIU Marines will demonstrate competency in terms of time and resource- management, technical knowledge, and practical skills to fulfill responsibilities and requirements for both general SMCR administrative requirements and MIU projects

2. Communication: Marines will maintain communication with MIU on a weekly basis, at minimum. The frequency of these communications will necessarily increase when supporting a project, and can be conducted via MCEN email, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft SharePoint, MIU Surveys, and MatterMost.

3. Readiness: Marines will maintain their Common Access Card (CAC) and Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC), scheduling renewals as required. Marines will complete annual training requirements, to include medical readiness, within specified timelines. Marines are additionally expected to attend mandatory in-person training events, and no less than nine of twelve monthly, one-hour remote all-hands meetings.

4. Tour Length: MIU Marines are expected to serve for a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years. This tour length allows Marines to fully experience, understand and effectively contribute their talents and professional experience to the mission of the unit.

5. Drill and Orders Requests: Unlike a traditional SMCR unit, MIU Marines do not operate on a fixed IDT schedule. IDT drill periods are assigned and managed by section heads based on current and projected project requirements. MIU Marines earn IDT credit while actively working on approved projects at any Department of War facility. Additionally, unpaid retirement points may be earned when performing authorized project work remotely.

MIU conducts hiring on a quarterly basis. The current application portal will remain open through February 28, 2026. Applicants applying during this quarter must be available to join the unit no later than June 30, 2026. If you are unable to meet this join date, please consider applying during a future application window.

The MIU application schedule for FY2026 and early FY2027 is outlined below.



MIU is currently looking for Marines with skills, education or professional civilian experience in the following areas. Please note that MIU is currently only onboarding Marines E5 and above, to ensure appropriate MOS credibility and experience.