Marines

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U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Karl W. Schlegel, the commanding officer for 2nd Network Battalion, gives his remarks during the activation ceremony of 2nd Network Battalion on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, June 3, 2021. 2nd Network Battalion was activated to ensure the operation of a resilient network that enables mission execution in the face of persistent cyber threats. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Isaiah Gomez)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Isaiah Gomez

2nd Network Battalion Activates at MCB Camp Lejeune

3 Jun 2021 | MCIEAST-MCB Camp Lejeune Communication Strategy and Operations Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

Camp Lejeune, N.C. – The second of three Marine Corps network battalions was activated today on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Lt. Col. Karl W. Schlegel assumed command of 2nd Network Battalion during an activation and assumption of command ceremony at the Paradise Point Officers Club.

2nd Network Battalion is a subordinate unit under Marine Corps Cyberspace Operations Group (MCCOG), along with two other network battalions to secure, operate and defend the Marine Corps Enterprise Network (MCEN) under one commander. 1st Network Battalion activated on June 4, 2020 at Camp Pendleton and 3rd Network Battalion will activate later this year in Okinawa, Japan.

“This is really a once in a lifetime opportunity for this organization,” said Col. Edward J. Debish, commanding officer, MCCOG. “To date we’ve only stood up two communication organizations over the last 50 years in the Marine Corps and this is our second one.”

The MCEN is the Marine Corps’ communications backbone that connects computers, people and related devices. The network provides robust, seamless and secure end‐to‐end communications for all Marines; from the supporting establishment to forward deployed forces.

Unity of command will provide a clear picture of readiness within our networks and better overall visualization of data flow from endpoint to data center, creating a level of visibility not previously available to the MCCOG or Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command.

“It’s the team, it’s the teammates and it’s the individuals that make us up,” said Lt. Col. Karl W. Schlegel, commanding officer, 2nd Network Battalion. “This is our team and we are going to be able to move the Marine Corps forward.”

The network battalion will deliver enterprise business services down to the end-user device and are responsible for managing the building area networks and local area networks on installations around the Marine Corps. 2nd Network Battalion will absorb the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Information Technology Support Centers that previously performed these functions.

A seamless command and control construct that empowers commands to respond in a way they have not been able to in the past will result from the establishment of each network battalion and network activity.

For more information on the modernization of the MCEN, please visit: https://www.marforcyber.marines.mil/.

For photos from today’s ceremony, please visit:

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