A newly-minted aviator arrives at his first operational squadron. With cautious confidence, he hits the ground running, ready to master the tactics that will ensure success during his first deployment. After returning from the deployment with multiple weapons dropped and air medals earned, each aviator must complete an enormous amount of training that could not be accomplished over-seas. This aviator has been in the squadron for over a year, has 500 flight hours, and has not yet completed his entry level fleet training syllabus. Being pulled in competing directions, he is eligible for individual augment (IA) billets and follow on deployments. Competing interests hinder a squadron's ability to fully develop young aviators, who will become future instructors. If the Marine Corps continues on this practice, there will not be an instructor core capable of transitioning the community into future aircraft and missions. To realize the maximum potential of future aircraft like the F-35B joint strike fighter (JSF), changes must be made regarding individual augment (IA) timing, operational training focus, and the instructor certification process.

The Marine Corps Science and Technology Strategic Plan establishes the priorities and provides direction for investment in science and technology needed to enable our future Marine Corps. As you read this Plan, you will find that it addresses capability needs for all the elements of our Marine Air-Ground Task Force as well as key enabling needs resourced by the Navy to support the Sea Base, Naval Aviation, and Naval Medicine and Human Performance. The plan is designed to complement the Marine Corps Expeditionary Maneuver Warfare Capability List by identifying as science and technology objectives - STOs - the technology enhancements most needed to enable the warfighting capabilities of our future operating forces. The STOs are not intended to be all-inclusive. Instead, they identify the priority S & T objectives needed to implement our vision for the 21st century Marine Corps as articulated in Marine Corps Vision and Strategy 2025 and our capstone concepts for the future.