MONTEREY, Calif. - U.S. Marines with Expeditionary Contracting Platoon, 1st Marine Logistics Group participated in the Expeditionary Contracting Training Exercise 26 at Naval Postgraduate School from Jan. 5-9, 2026, in preparation for upcoming operational commitments, including the Expeditionary Acquisitions Team 26.2 rotation to the Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force operations.
ECTE 26 was designed to simulate contracting challenges Marines will face during deployments by providing realistic, scenario-based training that aligns with Training and Readiness standards for expeditionary contracting. The exercise focused on training Marines to procure real goods and services in support of operational units, planning, reviewing contracting documentation, coordinating with vendors, and executing contracting actions under time-constrained conditions.
“This [exercise] gives them an opportunity to conduct training in a controlled setting and be able to take these lessons to learn and apply them while deployed,” said Captain Gavin Untalan, lead planner for the exercise and the training and policy officer for ECP, 1st MLG. “No contracting office in the Marine Corps has practiced this before.”
1st MLG ECP developed ECTE to demonstrate that contracting readiness can be effectively trained and assessed against T&R standards prior to deployment. By leveraging historical contracts from previous deployments, ECTE replicates realistic challenges while mitigating operational and financial risk. The exercise allows contracting Marines to practice critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to support deployed Marines.
“Historically, when we go downrange in an overseas environment, the team lead is trying to assess and organize the contract requirements based on the individual skill level,” said Untalan. “However, this exercise provides a team lead with the proper ability to assess the team's capacity and assign contracting requirements based on how they see fit to operate within that environment.”
During the exercise, evaluators role-play as supported units, contracting officers, and vendors, requiring participants to communicate, negotiate, and manage contracts under realistic conditions. Additional evaluators from adjacent contracting offices, including ECP, 2d MLG, participated to ensure objective assessments.
“I’m making sure the Marines are staying on track, challenging them, showing them what has and has not worked, and sharing the experiences we’ve had as senior leaders who have been on deployments before,” said Gunnery Sgt. Zebadiah Meador, a contracting officer with ECP, 2d MLG. “Rather than just being an evaluator, I would consider myself a trainer, sharing my knowledge and making sure the Marines are the most prepared they can be so we can support the mission when we’re deployed.”
ECTE also acts as a proof of concept for future expeditionary contracting training. 1st MLG ECP aims to expand the exercise in future iterations to include additional contracting offices and the Joint Force.
“As we move forward, we're looking to encompass other Marine Corps contracting offices and the entire joint contracting community so that we can better integrate while overseas and deployed within INDOPACOM,” said Untalan.
ECTE 26 serves as a foundation for continued growth and refinement. This initiative establishes 1st MLG ECP as the lead in shaping the future of expeditionary contracting across the Marine Corps and Joint Force, while advancing innovative training methods that ensure contracting Marines remain prepared to support expeditionary operations worldwide.