The United States Marine Corps is actively restructuring its approach to modern warfare, placing a massive premium on the integration of data, cyber capabilities, and space operations. To detail this operational shift, Potomac Officers Club recently announced that Lt. Gen. Joseph “Jay” Matos, the Marine Corps’ newly appointed Deputy Commandant for Information, will deliver a keynote address at the highly anticipated 2026 Navy Summit.
Scheduled for August 27 at the Falls Church Marriott Fairview Park in Virginia, the event serves as the premier forum for GovCon technology executives aiming to support naval national security priorities.
Leading the Information Warfare Charge
Assuming the role of Deputy Commandant for Information in February 2026, Lt. Gen. Matos oversees a sweeping portfolio that includes enterprise fielding, information architecture, command and control (C4), and the integration of artificial intelligence across the service. He also notably serves as the executive sponsor for the technical integration and enterprise adoption of Project Maven, the Pentagon’s flagship AI command-and-control software system designed to autonomously analyze battlefield data and identify targets.
With a career deeply rooted in Joseph Matos USMC information Navy Summit cyber intelligence AI space initiatives, his previous assignments perfectly position him to lead the Marine Corps’ digital transformation. He recently served as the Deputy Commanding General for U.S. Marine Forces Cyber and has held critical roles including Director for IC4 and Deputy Director for C4 and IT (J-6) at U.S. Space Command.
Unveiling the Information Warfare Plan
During his keynote, Lt. Gen. Matos is expected to heavily discuss the USMC’s first-of-its-kind Information Warfare Plan. Often compared to the established Marine Corps Aviation Plan, this draft strategic document outlines the service’s comprehensive blueprint for future information operations. Attendees can expect Matos to detail critical initiatives regarding resource allocation, aggressive technology integration, and the recruitment of specialized talent in fields like AI and signals intelligence.
Furthermore, Matos is slated to address how the service plans to leverage modern, converged networks to enhance cyberspace operations and deploy advanced tools in digital warfare. His insights are particularly timely, given that the Department of the Navy’s fiscal year 2027 budget request includes a proposed $378 million for modernization and readiness( a significant 23 percent increase over FY 2026 enactments) with a heavy focus on RDT&E funding for cyberspace and electronic warfare operations.
Connecting Industry with Naval Leadership
The Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Navy Summit provides an unparalleled opportunity for defense contractors to directly align their technology roadmaps with the immediate needs of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. In addition to Lt. Gen. Matos, the summit features a formidable lineup of top-tier speakers, including Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao, Acting Navy Chief Information Officer Barry Tanner, and Naval Information Forces Commander Vice Adm. Michael Vernazza.
Through keynote presentations, deep-dive panel discussions, and highly focused networking sessions, GovCon leaders will gain the actionable intelligence required to navigate complex acquisition programs like Project Overmatch and secure lucrative roles in building the military’s next-generation information ecosystem.
