The Connecting File
The Connecting File Podcast
Episode 5: DLAP with Major Conor Keating
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Episode 5: DLAP with Major Conor Keating

Hosted by Major Zach Schwartz
Maj Keating after falling off a cliff at Jungle Warfare Training Center. His right front tooth is moments from falling out.

In this month’s episode, Zach hosts Major Conor Keating, an infantry officer who recently finished up a tour as the Company Commander for Division Training Company, 2d Marine Division. His responsibilities include planning and executing the Division Leader Assessment Program (DLAP). Conor came on the podcast to shed some light on this program and to help prepare officers headed to future DLAP iterations.

The Connecting File is where the Marine Corps infantry links up to discuss leadership, tactics, and training.

In this episode we discuss:

  • How DLAP has evolved since first coming online

  • A detailed description of the DLAP POI as it stands today

  • Conor’s experience going through DLAP

  • How DLAP differs across MOSs

  • The impact DLAP has on where a Marine goes upon completion

  • What participants consistently show up and absolutely crush

  • What participants show up unprepared for

  • Conor’s advice for Captains coming to 2DMARDIV who are preparing for the DLAP

  • Whether there is any appreciable difference in a captain’s performance based on prior B-billet or school experience

  • How Captains receive feedback on their performance on the DLAP

  • Whether you can fail the DLAP and what remediation looks like

  • Selection of the DLAP instructor Cadre

  • The future of DLAP

  • What Conor would change about DLAP

  • Points of contact for Marines who want to learn more

  • We also covered several other DLAP topics.

Have ideas of people we should interview or topics to discuss? Please send along your recommendations and questions we should be asking!


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The opinions expressed in this podcast and post are those of the individuals participating. They do not reflect the views of the Department of Defense, the United States Marine Corps, or any other government entity.

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The Connecting File
The Connecting File Podcast
A podcast on leadership, training, and tactics for the Marine Corps infantry and reconnaissance communities.