MCTP 3-03D — Security Cooperation

MCTP 3-03D governs Marine Corps security cooperation planning, execution, assessment, and engagements with allies and partners.

Search MCTP 3-03D

  • Publication number: MCTP 3-03D
  • Title: SECURITY COOPERATION
  • Date: 2 Sep 2025
  • Proponent: 03000 Operations & Readiness
  • Status: Current

View MCTP 3-03D on armypubs.army.mil


It covers security cooperation strategy, organizations and workforce, planning, and the Marine Corps Security Cooperation Planning and Execution Cycle. It addresses legal and political issues, available tools and resources, and coordination across the Marine Corps, joint force, and interagency.

Applies to: This publication applies to Marines and civilians across the total force.

Topics covered

  • Security cooperation strategy
  • Security cooperation organizations
  • Security cooperation workforce
  • Security cooperation planning
  • Security cooperation engagements
  • Security Cooperation Planning and Execution Cycle

Questions and answers

What is MCTP 3-03D designed to help Marines do?

Marine Corps Tactical Publication (MCTP) 3-03D, Security Cooperation, is designed to assist Marines in prioritizing, planning, executing, and assessing security cooperation engagements with allies and partners in support of U.S. national security objectives.

Why is security cooperation important?

Security cooperation is a vital campaign activity that facilitates access, enhances interoperability with key allies and partners, and contributes to deterrence.

What coordination does security cooperation require?

Planners must coordinate security cooperation activities across the Marine Corps, joint force, and interagency to achieve the required unity of effort.

At what levels does the Marine Corps conduct security cooperation activities?

The Marine Corps plans, executes, and assesses security cooperation activities at all levels—from the Service headquarters and Marine Corps component commands to mobile training teams and advisor missions at the tactical level.

How does the Marine Corps conduct security cooperation activities?

The Marine Corps will continue to conduct security cooperation activities throughout the competition continuum with task-organized forces.

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