PENTAGON, Va. -- Marine reservists assigned to 6th Communication Battalion, Force Headquarters Group, Marine Corps Forces Reserve win second straight Marine Corps “Capture the Flag” Cyber Games conducted Nov. 1-5, 2021.
6th Comm Bn. Cyber Team won the competition with 3,300 points, with the accumulation of points achieved through capturing cyber flags varying in level of difficulty from apprentice to master level flags.
The competition consisted of eight teams across the Marine Corps including representatives from each Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), Marine Corps Forces Reserve (MARFORRES) and the Cyber Mission Force (CMF) which encompasses Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command (MARFORCYBER), and Marine Corps Cyberspace Warfare Group (MCCYWG).
The Deputy Commandant for Information (DC I) hosted the third iteration of the Marine Corps Cyber Games which focused on exercising skills related to offensive cyber operations.
“The intent for future cyber games is to connect training and readiness standards required for Marines within the cyber occupational field”.Master Sgt. Richard Zepeda, Marine Corps Cyber Auxiliary Operations Chief
“Events like the Marine Corps Cyber Games demonstrate the extraordinary cyber talent we have within our ranks” stated Lt. Gen. Matthew Glavy, Deputy Commandant for Information. “With each iteration, we continue to raise the skill level and time sensitive decision making required from participants because today, in competition, cyber threats posed by our adversaries will demand nothing less.”
The Marine Corps Cyber Games was conducted on the Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC) built Cyber Red Zone and broadcasted via the National Cyber Range in Orlando, Florida. The Cyber Red Zone is a virtual environment enabling a capture the flag competition with participating teams geographically dispersed.
U.S. Marines Compete in Marine Corps "Capture the Flag" Cyber Games 2021
Photo by Lance Cpl. Hailey Music
U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Nathaneal Register, Marine Corps Cyberspace Warfare Group, Cyber Protection Team 651, competes to capture flags, earning points based off of varying levels of difficulty during the Marine Corps "Capture the Flag" Cyber Games 2021 at Fort Meade, Maryland, Nov. 5, 2021. The competition consisted of eight teams across the Marine Corps including representatives from each Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), Marine Corps Forces Reserve (MARFORRES) and the Cyber Mission Force (CMF) which encompasses Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command (MARFORCYBER), and Marine Corps Cyberspace Warfare Group (MCCYWG). The eight teams participated in the games from various locations including Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, Stafford, Virginia, Camp Pendleton, California and Yokosuka, Japan. The Deputy Commandant for Information (DC I) hosted the third iteration of the Marine Corps Cyber Games which focused on exercising skills related to offensive cyber operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hailey Music).
The eight teams participated in the games from various locations including Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, Stafford, Virginia, Camp Pendleton, California and Yokosuka, Japan.
Teams consisted of six to ten Marines and civilian Marines varying in rank and military occupational specialty.
“The intent for future cyber games is to connect training and readiness standards required for Marines within the cyber occupational field,” explained Master Sgt. Richard Zepeda, Marine Corps Cyber Auxiliary Operations Chief, DC I. We are also looking at expanding the Marine Corps Cyber Games to include exercising skillsets required for successful defensive cyber operations.”
The Marine Corps Cyber Games first began March 2020 followed by the second iteration occurring November 2020. The intent is to execute the fourth iteration of the Marine Corps Cyber Games in the spring of 2022. For Marines or civilian Marines interested in participating, the next Marine Corps Cyber Games will be announced via MARADMIN.
Additional information regarding updates to the cyber occupational field are also available via MARADMIN with details provided below.
MARADMIN Number 399/21: https://www.marines.mil/News/Messages/Messages-Display/Article/2717969/update-to-fy22-mos-manual-for-the-17xx-occupational-field/
Not in the Marine Corps but want to get involved? In April 2019, the Marine Corps announced the newly-established Marine Corps Cyber Auxiliary (Cyber Aux), a volunteer organization aimed at increasing Marine Corps cyberspace readiness. The Cyber Aux is comprised of a small cadre of highly-talented cyber experts who train, educate, assist, and mentor Marines to keep pace with constantly-evolving cyber challenges.
If you are interested in joining the team, the following link is how you apply: https://www.hqmc.marines.mil/Agencies/Deputy-Commandant-for-Information/Marine-Corps-Cyber-Auxiliary/MCCA-Form/