Commandant's Innovation Challenge Results Announcement

1.  Congratulations to the winners of the first Commandants Innovation Challenge.  The Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory/Futures Directorate (MCWL/FD) received 129 innovative ideas that were submitted by Marines, Sailors, and Government civilians across the Marine Corps.  The Deputy Commandant, Combat Development and Integration (DC CDI) and members of the MCWL/FD were extremely impressed by the imagination and ingenuity of all submissions.  Each participant will receive recognition for their efforts.<br>
2.  Following this initial notification, challenge winners will be contacted by the MCWL/FD to discuss the way ahead for implementing their innovative idea.  During this initial meeting, the winners idea will be refined and a plan will be developed for the challenge winner to travel and assist in the development of their idea.  Upon completion of prototype development, the MCWL/FD will seek out potential experimentation opportunities for the challenge winners unit.  The MCWL/FD will collect experiment results and work with the appropriate HQMC stakeholders for potential transition and implementation of the idea.  Furthermore, challenge winners will be invited to Quantico, Virginia where they will be personally recognized by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, DC CDI, and CG MCWL/FD.<br>
3.  Semi-finalists who are recognized in this message deserve special recognition for their challenge submissions.  Their ideas have been carefully considered by the MCWL/FD for possible future development and implementation.  Although semi-finalists are not considered winners of this challenge, they may be consulted on their project efforts to further mature their ideas.<br>
4.  Challenge winners/finalists:<br>
Name                  Rank  Idea Title                 Unit<br>
Waldron, Thomas L.    Maj   Autonomous Hydrographic    MCIA<br>
                            Coastal Survey<br>
Urbanski, Aaron J.    LCpl  Autonomous Hydrographic    2D INT BN<br>
                            Coastal Survey<br>
Luger, Christopher D. Capt  Follow-me UAS For Troop    VMU-1<br>
                            Overwatch<br>
Choi, Warren W.       1stLt Follow-me UAS For Troop    VMU-1<br>
                            Overwatch<br>
Goedecke, Kenneth K.  LtCol Alternative Antenna        I AND I 5/14<br>
                            Platforms<br>
Morse, Matthew M.     Capt  Automating Convoy Load     MCLOG<br>
                            Planning<br>
5.  Challenge semi-finalists:<br>
Name                  Rank  Idea Title           Unit<br>
Schroeder, Ted W.     Maj   High-speed Amphibious UGV  4TH MARDIV<br>
Selby, William C.     Capt  SUAS For Hazardous Indoor  MARFORCYBER<br>
                            Environments   <br>
Webb, Abraham P.      Capt  Automated LP/OP         3D Marines<br>
Pactores, Romeo, M.   SSgt  Automatic Pop-up Camo      4TH Recon Bn<br>
                            Netting<br>
6.  Travel funding for Innovation Challenge winners will be provided by DC CDI.<br>
7.  Submissions not selected by the MCWL/FD will be sent to the appropriate Headquarters Marine Corps agencies for further consideration.<br>
8.  The next CMC Innovation Challenge will be sponsored by TECOM and announced in February 2017.  The challenge topic will emphasize improved decision-making training and education capabilities, which include, but are not limited to education opportunities, instructing methodologies, and learning efficiency.<br>
9.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General Robert S. Walsh, Deputy Commandant Combat Development and Integration.