181417Z JAN 17
MARADMIN 034/17
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM//
SUBJ/APPLICATIONS FOR THE FY18 NAVAL INNOVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL (NIAC)//
REF/A/MEMO/SECNAV MEMO/21APR2015//
REF/B/MSG/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/131718Z DEC 16//
NARR/REF A DIRECTS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NAVAL INNOVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL.  REF B IS ALNAV 073/16, WHICH PROVIDES THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, INNOVATION FOCUS AREAS, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FY18 NIAC.//
POC/M. D. NICHOLSON/MAJ/MMOA-3/TEL:  DSN 278-9284 EMAIL:  MARK.NICHOLSON(AT)USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  This message solicits applications for the FY18 NIAC.
2.  The NIAC is a department-level council, comprised of a small cadre of uniformed Navy and Marine Corps personnel selected annually to serve as Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Innovation Advisors.  The NIAC considers, develops, and accelerates innovative concepts for presentation to the SECNAV and other Department of the Navy (DON) senior leaders, with recommendations to synchronize senior leadership, facilitate the flow of resources, streamline policy, and remove roadblocks that hinder innovation.  The NIAC builds and maintains an effective network of military, government, academic, and private sector experts to continually assess future operational and technological environments and identify areas of opportunity for the DON.
3.  SECNAV Innovation Advisors provide ways and means to accelerate innovation within the DON.  This is accomplished by engaging in flexible research options targeting DON leadership priorities, leveraging access to leading-edge innovative firms to identify opportunities for future capabilities, championing specific projects/experiments to a level of maturity sufficient for transition, and participating in action-learning environments directly supporting the DON Innovation Vision.
4.  The Marine Corps may provide up to four Marine Corps personnel to participate in this 12 month assignment beginning in August 2017 either in the National Capital Region or at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.  Applicants geo-preference will be considered but are subject to the needs of the NIAC and the Marine Corps.
5.  Eligibility criteria for FY18 selection:
5.a.  Must be active duty unrestricted Marine Corps officers from any MOS who are career designated.  Captains and majors are preferred for participation but all eligible officers will be considered.
5.b.  Must be an FY17 mover or request a time on station waiver with command endorsement acknowledging that commands may incur a gap if the officer is selected.
5.c.  Must, at a minimum, possess an active SECRET clearance and access eligibility.  For research projects conducted at a higher than SECRET level, advisors will be required to possess and maintain the appropriate level of clearance and access eligibility.
5.d.  Must not have an established separation/retirement date.
5.e.  Must be competitive for promotion, with an established record of outstanding leadership and performance, and an ability to work closely with executive leadership in a demanding, fast-paced environment.
5.f.  Must possess a passion for innovation and making meaningful organizational change, with the ability to create an innovative environment, push boundaries, achieve growth, and challenge the status quo.
5.g.  Must have the ability to conduct independent research and analysis and develop options for consideration by senior leadership.
5.h.  Must possess outstanding oral and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare research and academic papers.
5.i.  Must have the ability to create and sustain effective professional networks.
5.j.  Must have demonstrated ability to accomplish objectives with limited supervision.
6.  SECNAV Innovation Advisor Responsibilities:
6.a.  SECNAV Innovation Advisors will be assigned a primary and secondary innovation project.  Projects will be approved by DUSN(M) and determined by input from DON senior leadership or established DON innovation priorities.
6.b.  In addition to assigned projects, SECNAV Innovation Advisors shall propose an individual research project and work with the Office of Strategy and Innovation to refine this project to ensure alignment with DON innovation priorities, goals, and objectives.
6.c.  SECNAV Innovation Advisors are required to provide a written report and formal brief on the results of their assigned innovation projects.  The timeline for deliverables will depend on the projects complexity and the required level of effort, and will be determined by the Office of Strategy and Innovation.
6.d.  Within 30 days of completion of the NIAC tour, SECNAV Innovation Advisors are to submit a research paper and formal brief on their individual research project.
6.e.  In some cases, a group research project may be required as a means to consolidate related projects or to focus on a field of inquiry requiring a wider scope of effort.
6.f.  This assignment does not incur any additional obligated service.
7.  SECNAV Innovation Advisor Selection Process:
7.a.  Interested officers must notify their PMOS monitor of their intent to apply for the NIAC prior to submitting an application, which is due no later than 3 February 2017.
7.b.  Applications will consist of a request for consideration via AA form or standard Naval letter correspondence with command endorsement (O-5 or above) emailed to smbmanpowerofficerpr(at)usmc.mil using the subject line FY18 SECNAV INNOVATION ADVISOR. There are no specific formatting requirements, but the request must address the applicants reason for applying to the program and should address each of the criteria listed in 5.a. through 5.j.
7.c.  HQMC will screen each applicant before nominations are submitted to SECNAVs Office of Strategy and Innovation for additional screening and interviews prior to SECNAV decision.
8.  The list of monitors and their contact information is available at https:(slash slash)www.manpower.usmc.mil under the header "Active Marine" and sub header "Manpower Management (MM)." MMOA-3 points of contact are as follows: LtCol S. O. Meredith, Head, MMOA-3 Plans and Programs DSN: 278-9284 Comm: (703) 784-9284 email: scott.meredith(at)usmc.mil Maj M. D. Nicholson, Plans Officer, MMOA-3 DSN: 278-9284 Comm: (703) 784-9284 email: mark.nicholson(at)usmc.mil
9.  This MARADMIN is not applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve.
10.  Release authorized by MajGen Michael A. Rocco, Director, Manpower Management Division.//