Commandant's Second Innovation Challenge Results Announcement

1.  Congratulations to the winners of the Commandants Second Innovation Challenge.  During the challenge, conducted from 1-31 March 2017, Training and Education Command (TECOM) received 253 submissions from 463 registered users comprised of military and civilian personnel from the Department of Defense.  Of the 19 submissions selected and presented for review, the Commanding General (CG) TECOM selected 5 winners.  On 31 May 2017, the Commandant will recognize and award the winners during the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab (MCWL)-sponsored Warfighting Innovation Symposium held aboard Marine Corps Base (MCB) Quantico.  All submissions may be viewed on the challenge website at www.marines.mil/innovation according to the following categories in descending order:  Winners, Finalists, Semi-Finalists, and Honorable Mention.  All 463 registered users will receive an email announcement and link to the website to view the results and winning Idea Cards.<br>
2.  TECOM will provide travel funding as required for the challenge winners to attend the award ceremony and personally meet with TECOM personnel to further refine and develop their idea.  Upon completion of the prototype development (as necessary), TECOM will provide experimentation opportunities, collect results, and work with the appropriate Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) organizations or TECOM Major Subordinate Command for potential transition and implementation of the final product or result.<br>
3.  All other submissions will be forwarded by CG TECOM with proper endorsement to the appropriate HQMC organizations for further consideration.<br>
4.  The five winners (gold) are:<br>
NAME            RANK   IDEA TITLE                   ORG/UNIT<br>
Katolin, Dennis    Maj   An MCDP on Ethics           9th Comm Bn<br>
Jensen, Benjamin   Civ   Wargaming 2025 Building         EDCOM<br>
                          Decision Games<br>
Adkins, Michael    1stLt  Making Infantry Quarterbacks   MCRD SD<br>
Afkhami, Milad    Capt   Use Games to Supplement PME   2nd MLG<br>
Kuhlow, Sasha    Maj                                   2nd Radio Bn<br>
Flores, Sean    CWO3                                   MARSOC<br>
Middaugh, Paul    SSgt   Decision Forcing Cases   MWTC<br>
5.  The three finalists (silver) are:<br>
NAME            RANK   IDEA TITLE                   ORG/UNIT<br>
Erdmann, Edward    SSgt   Field Smart Pack           MCU<br>
Mullen, Jessica    LtCol  MCDP-1 Chapter 5 Warfighter   USMCR<br>
Webb, Abraham    Capt   Nellers Fireside Chats   3rd MARDIV<br>
6.  The 11 semi-finalists (bronze) are:<br>
NAME            RANK   IDEA TITLE                   ORG/UNIT<br>
Eline, Christopher Sgt   Combat Multipliers           SOI-E<br>
Komnick, Noah    LtCol  Reaction Control           MWCS 38<br>
Conlon, Michael    1stLt  Battalion vs Battalion          MCSCG<br>
                          Free Play<br>
Skeffington, James Capt   Motion Picture Assisted Annual  USMCR<br>
                          Training<br>
Thomas, Phillip    LtCol  Human Dynamics and Performance  Army<br>
                          Programs<br>
Lacount, Benjamin  2ndLt  The Tactical Training System   MCCES<br>
Karins, Casey    MSgt   Intel-Driven Exercises for      USAF<br>
                          Rifle Squads<br>
Barrick, Timothy   Col   Augmented Reality Sand Table    MCTOG<br>
                          and COC<br>
Clarke, Alan    Maj   Tactical Simulator LVC for      Naval Post<br>
                          Mobile Device                   Graduate<br>
                                                          School<br>
Gunn, Derek    Cpl   System Consolidated Event       1st TSB<br>
                          Planning                   Camp<br>
                                                          Pendleton<br>
Barrick, Timothy   Col   Augmented Reality Staff Rides   MCTOG<br>
                          and TEWTs<br>
7.  The eight receiving Honorable Mention are:<br>
NAME            RANK   IDEA TITLE                   ORG/UNIT<br>
Stark, Kevin    Sgt   Separate MCIs and College       MALS 29<br>
                          in Comp Scores<br>
Nichols, Paul    CTR   Decision Room                   MCSC<br>
                                                          Quantico<br>
Olson, Timothy     1stLt  Monks of Marines           USMCR<br>
Neely, Matthew     Maj   The 5 Minute Marine Corps       MCB<br>
                          PME Video                   Quantico<br>
Malanchuk, Ryan    Capt   Commandants Gaming List   1st MLG<br>
Harrison, Hunter   1stLt  Decentralize Training/          3rd Bn<br>
                          Increase Resources              1st Mar<br>
                                                     Camp Pendleton<br>
Swift, Dilan    Capt   Establish a USMC Ethical        MCESG<br>
                          Fitness Program<br>
Sierra, Richard    Capt   Augmented Reality ISO Training  HQMC<br>
8.  The CG MCCDC would like to thank all who contributed their ideas, time, and dedication for this challenge to the Commandant(apostrophe)s priority of improving small unit leader decision making.<br>
9.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General Robert S. Walsh, Deputy Commandant, Combat Development and Integration