Maritime Civil Affairs and Security Training Command The Maritime Civil Affairs and Security Training Command ( MCAST ) provides personnel , trains , equips and deploys U . S . Navy Sailors for a Task Force Commander to establish and enhance relations between military forces , governmental and nongovernmental organizations and the civilian populace . Accomplished in a collaborative manner across the spectrum of operations in the maritime environment , MCAST Command executes civilian to military operations and military to military training , as directed , in support of security cooperation and security assistance requirements . The MCAST Command prepares regionally aligned planners , teams , specialists and trainers to be effective , flexible and responsive in support of the Navy Component and Joint Task Force Commanders ’ security cooperation plans . Enhancing partner - nation capability and capacity is accomplished by deploying fully qualified individuals and teams , trained to support civilian to military operations ( MCA ) and military to military training ( SFA ) . To support the Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower and the Navy ’ s core competencies of Humanitarian Assistance / Disaster Relief and Maritime Security , MCAST Command fosters and sustains cooperative relationships across the Joint , Coalition , and Multinational spectrum to provide regional stability , prevent conflict and protect U . S . interests . History . MCAST Command combines the former Maritime Civil Affairs Group and the Expeditionary Training Command . The Navy Expeditionary Combat Command ( NECC ) officially established Maritime Civil Affairs Group ( MCAG ) during a ceremony at Naval Amphibious Base ( NAB ) Little Creek , March 30 , 2007 under the leadership of Navy Capt . Kenneth Swingshakl . Captain Claudia Risner , U . S . Navy , assumed command of MCAG in September , 2008 . In an effort to consolidate staffs and resources , MCAG and the Expeditionary Training Command were merged and designated as the Maritime Civil Affairs and Security Training ( MCAST ) Command in a ceremony October 1 , 2009 . Captain Risner continued as the Commanding Officer of the new organization until Captain Frank Hughlett , U . S . Navy , assumed command of MCAST Command in September 2010 . Captain Marc Gordnier assumed command in August 2012 . Teams . The command deploys two types of teams – Maritime Civil Affairs and Security Force Assistance – to support exercises and overseas contingency operations that enable partner nations to establish and exercise maritime security and sovereignty . Maritime Civil Affairs Teams . MCA Teams ( MCATs ) specialize in the maritime environment – from Economic Exclusion Zones , to fisheries , to port and harbor operations and harbor / channel maintenance and reconstruction . MCATs are generally five - person teams consisting of a commander ( usually a junior officer ) , coxswain , corpsman , communicator , and a construction rating Sailor . MCAST also seeks Sailors with unique cultural expertise , such as native speakers , for missions where cultural exchange is necessary for success . MCATs liaison between an operational commander , U . S . country team , and host nation civil and military entities . They focus on benefitting the civilian populace , minimizing the military operations footprint and maximizing the humanitarian assistance impact . Security Force Assistance Teams . Through Security Force Assistance Mobile Training Teams ( SFA MTT ) , MCAST delivers maritime expeditionary core instruction in support of security cooperation and foreign internal defense missions . These efforts are directed at foreign country military , civil , and security personnel . SFA MTT experts from a variety of ratings perform as internally sourced team members . They provide critical training to partner nations that enhance security , partnership and stability . These teams deliver training in small boat operations and tactics , maritime combat operations , anti - terrorism / force protection , maintenance and construction , and military professional development and leadership . Lessons are taught in the host nation ’ s language and are tailored to the nation ’ s needs . SFA MTTs are also capable of providing non - standard training , such as running ranges , foreign weapons familiarization , and field training refreshers to support Navy Component Commanders . Teams deploy and train foreign militaries through a stand - alone event or in conjunction with planned fleet deployments , coordinated exercises , or regional engagement events . Core Competencies . Maritime Civil Affairs Plans and Operations . MCAST Command provides a plans and operations element capable of integrating with the operational ( Navy Component or Joint Task Force ) Commander . Provides command and control of the MCAST - assigned forces and integrates MCA subject matter expertise into campaign plans and mission analysis . Assists with the preparation of country - specific plans , enhances partner - nation relationships and oversees area assessment , humanitarian assistance , disaster relief , and civic action projects . Maritime Civil Affairs Assessment . MCAST provides regionally aligned MCA Teams that conduct civil reconnaissance and provide assessment of identified civilian domain infrastructure and capability requirements in support of the Commander ’ s objectives in an area of focus . Maritime Functional Area Expertise . MCAST Command provides subject matter experts in functions that are specific to a wide range of maritime - related disciplines capable of assisting in the near - shore , riparian , and lake environments . Security Force Assistance Mobile Training Teams ( SFA MTT ) . MCAST Command delivers military maritime expeditionary core instruction to foreign militaries in support of security cooperation and foreign internal defense missions . Subject areas : Lessons are taught in the host nation ’ s language . SFA MTTs are also capable of providing non - standard training , such as running ranges , foreign weapons familiarization , and field training refreshers to support the Navy Component Commanders .