‘Lessons Learned’ web site aims to educate Marines

CA, UNITED STATES

08.05.2011

Story by Cpl. Khoa Pelczar 

1st Marine Logistics Group

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Marines are constantly training for upcoming deployments or other contingency operations. But how do they know what training to focus on, or where to begin?

Marines in any military occupational specialty can learn more about their respective MOS and aid with professional military education through an online resource known as the Marine Corps Center for Lessons Learned.

The MCCLL is one of many tools unit commanders can utilize in order to train their Marines.

Headquartered in Quantico, Va., MCCLL is an organization that collects, analyzes and maintains lessons learned from units and distributes those lessons to others so they understand what to prepare for, explained Robert Clark, MCCLL program analyst for 1st Marine Logistics Group, one of four program analysts within I Marine Expeditionary Force.

“My job is to gather information, observations and lessons from units and other sources out there to distribute them to units within the 1st MLG and vice versa,” said Clark, from Carlsbad, Calif.

The MCCLL program collects after-action reports from units and figures out what worked or didn’t work for them in order to provide accurate information to those in preparation for various missions, explained Clark. On top of that, the program also seeks information by performing focused collections.

“We send out teams to collect data and conduct interviews with key personnel of units at locations to provide information to our supported units as well as to advocates and proponents at Headquarter Marine Corps, Marine Corps Systems Command and Marine Corps Combat Development Command,” said Clark.
“[By] establishing a relationship with key members of the organization, explaining to them what MCCLL does, and also providing them with information and lessons that might benefit their units, we’ll be able to gather more information to produce and disseminate our reports and recommendations.”

Clark also tailors information that relates to the 1st MLG-specific missions, so each unit receives exactly what it needs to improve and accomplish its mission, including tactics, techniques and procedures of immediate importance to the operating forces, Clark explained. By identifying gaps and coming up with recommendations for solutions in all aspects of a mission, MCCLL can provide accurate information to 1st MLG and its subordinate commands.

According to Clark, MCCLL analyzes information across the entire Doctrine, Operations, Training, Materiel, Leadership, Personnel, Facilities (DOTMLPF) spectrum.

While a program analyst may take requests from units to conduct research and gather information on a specific subject, units can do their own information gathering on the MCCLL website and the 1st MLG SharePoint.

The MCCLL Web site – http://www.mccll.usmc.mil for unclassified materials, or http://www.mccll.usmc.smil for classified materials – allows units to view, create and submit after-action reports and share their experiences whether they’re in garrison or deployed, Clark said. The search engine allows units to quickly go through the huge library of more than 50,000 records and material available to narrow down information related to their searches. Registered personnel can also create electronic binders to store files they find useful for their needs. They can later access those files from any computer by logging in with their common access card.

They can also access the 1st MLG MCCLL SharePoint site by logging onto:
https://1mlgsharepoint.nmci.usmc.mil/G3/mccll/default.aspx.

In addition to the Web site, MCCLL also releases monthly electronic newsletters covering general training and information with links to documents related to each topic. Program analysts also send out weekly classified Tactics, Techniques and Procedures to personnel with secret clearances and access to view classified material.

“Our goal is to learn from those who have gone before and identify the problems beforehand to be aware and come up with solutions for those problems and continue to push and improve on things that worked,” said Clark.

Clark offers assistance to any MLG Marine or their unit to obtain information, material and lessons that support their training and deployment preparations. He’s also available to answer questions concerning the MCCLL Web site, the SharePoint, registration process and how MCCLL works. Marines and sailors can contact him at [phone], or by email at [e-mail].

• Date Taken: 08.05.2011
• Date Posted: 08.05.2011 14:55
• Story ID: 74907
• Location: CA, US