Retiring Marine Colonel Leaves Behind a Cost-Saving, High-Impact Information Command at Fort Meade

The military can expect continued advancements in military information warfare, thanks in part to the legacy of U.S. Marine Corps Col. B.J. Grass. Grass, who retired May 30 after 26 years of service from Fort George G. Meade, played a key role in establishing and leading the Marine Corps Information Command (MCIC), which is now delivering integrated non-kinetic military effects across the globe.

Col. Grass was the first deputy commander of MCIC and was instrumental in transforming what began as a conceptual idea into an operational command. By aligning cyber, space, electronic warfare, signals intelligence, and influence capabilities, the command now offers coordinated information support to commanders across the Marine Corps and the broader Joint Force. This integration helps provide U.S. forces with decisive non-physical advantages in modern conflicts.

MCIC operates using a joint staffing structure that shares personnel with MARFORCYBER, reducing redundancy and generating more than $12 million in annual savings. This efficient model enhances operational output while minimizing overhead, a move that benefits taxpayers by ensuring military readiness without additional personnel costs.

Grass emphasized that the core strength of MCIC lies in its convergence of information-related domains. This synchronized approach supports Marines in the field by enabling rapid, comprehensive information-based operations. As these non-kinetic effects continue to grow in importance, the command’s influence is expected to expand, potentially evolving into a full Information Command Element within the Marine Air-Ground Task Force structure.

Col. Grass’s departure marks a leadership transition, but the organization he helped build remains a lean and powerful tool in the nation’s military arsenal—one that continues to benefit from shared resources, strategic alignment, and a forward-thinking approach to warfare.

Article by multiple contributors, based upon information from Marine Corps Information Command press release.

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