R 030857Z AUG 17
MARADMIN 418/17
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM//
SUBJ/ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE MARINE CORPS DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY PROGRAM (PHDP)//
REF/A/MSGID: DOC/MCO 1300.8/YMD: 20140918//
REF/B/MSGID: DOC/DODI 1322.10/YMD: 20080429//
NARR/REF A IS MCO 1300.8, THE MARINE CORPS PERSONNEL ASSIGNMENT POLICY.  REF B IS DOD INSTRUCTION 1322.10, POLICY ON GRADUATE EDUCATION FOR MILITARY OFFICERS//
POC/R. J. ARANT/MAJ/USMC/MCU EMAIL: ROBIN.ARANT@USMCU.EDU//
POC/S. A. HUMR/MAJ/USMC/MMOA-3 EMAIL: SMBMANPOWEROFFICERPR@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  This MARADMIN formally establishes the Marine Corps Doctor of Philosophy Program (PHDP) and provides initial guidance for Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) implementation.  Nested in the overarching program that provides a fully funded education are two tracks: the Commandant of the Marine Corps Doctor of Philosophy Strategist Program (CMCSP) Pilot and the Marine Corps Doctor of Philosophy Technical Program (PHDP-T) Pilot.  This MARADMIN is a solicitation for applications.  Applications are due no later than 31 August 2017.
2.  The purpose of the PHDP is to make fiscally disciplined investments in education that develops, under the cognizance of DC, CD&I and DC, M&RA, a cohort of strategic thinkers and technical leaders capable of applying substantive knowledge, directing original research, and leveraging relationships with industry and elements of national security combined with their operational MAGTF experiences to achieve the innovative thinking desired by the Marine Corps.  Uniformed doctorates provide the Marine Corps deployable, highly-skilled manpower in support of senior leader decision-making as well as helping generate national, defense, and service strategies in an increasingly complex world.
3.  Eligibility.
3.a.  CMCSP.
3.a.1.  Unrestricted officers in-zone for major, major (selects), majors, lieutenant colonel (selects), and lieutenant colonels with less than 18 years commissioned service by 1 August 2018.
3.a.2.  Officers with no less than two years time on station by the start of PhD coursework (roughly August 2018).
3.a.3.  Hold at least a Secret Clearance and be eligible for a Top Secret or Sensitive Compartmented Information.
3.a.4.  Officers with an accredited masters degree GPA of 3.5 or higher in a discipline related to one of the specified doctoral fields of study listed in paragraph 5.a.
3.a.5.  Officers with a current Graduate Record Examination (GRE). To be considered current, GRE must have been taken no earlier than 1 January 2013.  Competitive GRE scores are generally considered minimums of 153 verbal reasoning, 144 quantitative reasoning, and 4.0 analytical writing.
3.b.  PHDP-T.
3.b.1.  Unrestricted active duty majors.  Officers in-zone for major, major (selects), majors, and lieutenant colonel (selects) are eligible to apply.
3.b.2.  Officers with no less than two years time on station by the start of PhD coursework (roughly August 2018).
3.b.3.  Hold at least a Secret Clearance and be eligible for a Top Secret or Sensitive Compartmented Information.
3.b.4.  Current Special Education Program students no more than one year into their masters program by the start of First Quarter (Fall) AY19 are eligible to apply.
3.b.5.  The specified doctoral fields of study for the PHDP-T are listed in paragraph 5.b.
4.  Ineligibility.
4.a.  Officers in the above zone.
4.b.  Officers with an approved separation or retirement date.
4.c.  Restricted officers.
4.d.  Officers currently in a Special Education Program (SEP) or Advance Degree Program (ADP) utilization tour are not eligible to apply until they have completed at least 24 months of their assigned utilization tour.
4.e.  Officers in a required utilization tour incurred through education or training, other than SEP/ADP, with a date of departure after 30 September 2018.
5.  Program Specifics.
5.a.  CMCSP.  The purpose of the strategist program is to select up to two officers to fill Marine Corps requirements for doctorates with a focus on strategic affairs.  This track is designed for two years of coursework followed by a two year assignment to Marine Corps University (MCU) to complete the dissertation.  Initial candidate programs in the National Capital Region (NCR) within range of a no-cost move to Marine Corps University, Quantico include:  American University (School of International Service and School of Public Affairs), George Mason University (School of Public Policy and Government) and Georgetown University.  Other schools in the NCR will be considered on a case-by-case basis by assessing any fiscal constraints and program timelines. Schools and disciplines include programs related to the study of strategy, national security, military history, public policy, political science, government, and related programs.
5.b.  PHDP-T.  The purpose of the technical program is to select up to two officers to participate in a fully funded doctoral program with a technical focus.  This track selects officers to assess into a doctoral candidacy at the Naval Postgraduate School for no more than three years, for those with a SEP Masters degree already, or five years total for Masters and PhD.  Disciplines considered for officers matriculating in 2018 will include: Operations Research, Modeling Virtual Environments and Simulation (MOVES), Information Sciences and Computer Science.  Officers will indicate their desired course of study in the application process, but final selection will be determined based on the needs of the Marine Corps.
6.  Application Process.
6.a.  Application templates can be found on the CPIB or CCLEB Updates webpage on the main USMC Manpower and Reserve Affairs website at: https:(slash)(slash)www.manpower.usmc.mil/webcenter/portal/OA3CEB/CPIB/CCLEB%20Updates.
6.b.  Completed applications are to be sent via e-mail at smbmanpowerofficerpr@usmc.mil, subject titled “Marine Corps Doctor of Philosophy Program (PHDP) Application”.
6.c.  Applications are due NLT 31 August 2017.
7.  Service Requirements.
7.a.  All applicants must agree in writing to:
7.a.1.  Not tender resignation or request separation or retirement while participating in the program.
7.a.2.  An active duty service commitment from the date of completed coursework for six years.  Should a participant fail to meet the PhD coursework requirements, they will incur an active duty service obligation equal to three times the number of months of education completed during the first year of coursework. The service obligation will run concurrent with any other individual service obligation.
7.b.  Upon successful completion of program, participants will serve in at least one utilization tour prior to separation from the active duty Marine Corps, based on the needs of the Marine Corps.
8.  Selection.
8.a.  Officers will be pre-screened by elements of HQMC to determine whether the applicants are qualified to represent the Marine Corps.
8.b.  Officers recommended with confidence in the pre-screening will be forwarded to the Commandant Education Board (CPIB or CCLEB) for final selection as a sub-board.
8.c.  Officers will be notified via the CPIB and CCLEB Results MarAdmin or directly following the conclusion of the board.
8.d.  Receipt of orders to either of the tracks is contingent upon official acceptance to an approved doctoral program.  Dir, MM is the final approval authority for all assignments to the PHDP.
9.  Professional Military Education Requirement.  This program is not considered service equivalent PME for any grade and does not meet JPME requirements.
10.  Questions may be directed to Marine Corps University for program requirements via e-mail to mcu_cmcsp_application@usmcu.edu. Questions may be directed to MMOA-3 regarding submission of applications for the PHDP via email to smbmanpowerofficerpr@usmc.mil, subject titled "Marine Corps Doctor of Philosophy Program (PHDP)."
11.  Release authorized by C. F. Swain, Deputy Director, Manpower Management Division//