FY20 ACTIVE AND RESERVE MARINE ATTACHE SELECTION BOARD
Date Signed: 2/28/2018 | MARADMINS Number: 131/18
MARADMINS : 131/18
R 281256Z FEB 18
MARADMIN 131/18
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM//
SUBJ/FY20 ACTIVE AND RESERVE MARINE ATTACHE SELECTION BOARD//
REF/A/MSGID: DOC/MCO/YMD: 20090709//
REF/B/MSGID: DOC/MCO/YMD: 20140918//
REF/C/MSGID: DOC/SECNAVINST/YMD: 20131029//
REF/D/MSGID: DOC/DIAI/YMD: 20140509/NOTAL//
NARR/REF A IS MCO 3821.2, THE DEFENSE ATTACHE SYSTEM (DAS). REF B IS MCO 1300.8, THE MARINE CORPS PERSONNEL ASSIGNMENT POLICY. REF C IS SECNAVINST 1300.16 DEFENSE ATTACHE SYSTEM (DAS). REF D IS DEFENSE ATTACHE SERVICE OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT.//
POC/D. R. VASSAR/CAPT/UNIT: HQMC IOC/-/TEL: 703-614-1484/EMAIL: DANIEL.VASSAR@USMC.MIL//
POC/M. S. JACKSON/CIV/UNIT: HQMC IOC/-/TEL: 571-256-9332/EMAIL: MITCHEL.S.JACKSON@USMC.MIL//
POC/P. J. JEFFREY/MAJ/UNIT: HQMC IOE/-/TEL: 703-614-7631 TEL: DSN 224-7631/EMAIL: PETER.JEFFREY@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/Remarks/1.  Purpose.  In accordance with the references, this MARADMIN outlines the active duty and reserve component Marine Corps Attache (MARA) program and the procedures for application.  Attaches are volunteers competitively selected for this prestigious assignment through a board process to ensure the best and most fully qualified officers are assigned to represent both the Marine Corps and the United States in our embassies worldwide.  Marines are screened based on performance as MAGTF officers and slated based on their specific Language, Regional Expertise, and Cultural (LREC) skills.  This message solicits applications for the FY20 MARA program.
2.  MARAs fill influential, strategic-level positions within the country team of their respective embassies.  Depending on the specific billet and country, they serve as the direct representative of the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Navy, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Geographic Combatant Commanders, and the Commandant of the Marine Corps.  Marine officers serving as MARAs may also serve as the Senior Defense Official/Defense Attache (SDO/DATT).  SDO/DATTs direct, control, operate, and administer the Defense Attache Office to which assigned.  Attaché duties vary by country, but all advise the Chief of Mission on military matters and security assistance issues.
3.  The MARA Selection Board is tentatively scheduled to convene from 20 to 24 August 2018 at Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.  In selecting the most qualified officers to fill each billet, the board will carefully consider each applicants career progression.  No additional service obligation is incurred following a MARA tour.  MARAs may apply for designation as a Foreign Area Officer or a Regional Affairs Officer (FAO or RAO) upon completion of tours to identify and track LREC skills.  FAO/RAO POC is Mr. Clayton Fisher: clayton.fisher@usmc.mil or by phone (703) 614-0322.  The following prerequisites and requirements apply:
  3.a.  Applicants must belong to the Marine Corps active component to be eligible for active duty billets.
  3.b.  Majors with at least 2 years time in grade may apply for billets coded for the next higher rank.
  3.c.  Applicants must have completed minimum time on station requirements, typically 24 months, in accordance with reference (b) prior to executing orders.
  3.d.  Per references (a) and (b), applicants must have completed a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) and be eligible for a Top Secret clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) to execute the full scope of attaché responsibilities.  Application to the MARA Program is not sufficient justification for TS/SCI eligibility determination.  SSBI requests will not be submitted as part of the DAS application.  Officers selected by the board will be required to either have a current (within the last 5 years) Counterintelligence Scope Polygraph, or obtain one prior to attending the Joint Military Attaché School (JMAS).
  3.e.  The MARA Program is open to officers of any MOS.
  3.f.  Applicants must notify their primary MOS monitor of their intent to apply to the program prior to submitting an application.  Applicants are highly encouraged to discuss career timing with their monitor as well as impacts the MARA Program may have on their career and career progression.
  3.g.  RAO/FAO experience and language proficiency are highly desirable but are not prerequisites.
  3.h.  Applicants in the above zone for promotion will only be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  3.i.  Applicants who have been issued orders will not be considered.
  3.j.  Applicants who have been selected to other programs (e.g., Commandants Career-Level Education Board, Commandants Professional Intermediate-Level Education Board, Top Level School, test pilot, School of Advanced Warfighting, International Exchange, etc.) will not be considered.
  3.k.  Families are an important element of the MARA Program.  Attaches are encouraged to take their families to most assignments.  The attache, spouse, and other family members work as a team, participating in a variety of social and diplomatic functions.  Attache families can derive great experiences and benefits through exposure to different cultures, such as learning a second language.  Applicants with dependents enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) are eligible to apply, but may not be able to participate if there are no countries that meet the familys medical needs.
4.  Attache training is conducted over approximately 13 weeks at the JMAS at the Defense Intelligence Agency, Washington, DC.  Officers who successfully complete this training are then available for assignment abroad.  Language training is also required or desired for most billets.  The length of language training will be based on the language and proficiency level required or desired.  Training start dates are dependent upon language training (could be up to 64
weeks), Attache training (13 weeks), and the country to which selected.  In some cases, this training may start as early as January 2019.  Active duty officers participating in the MARA Program are ADCON to the Marine Corps Intelligence Activity in Quantico, VA while in training and on station.
5.  The FY20 board will screen the following Active Component O-4 and O-5 billets: (Note: Fill and training dates are approximate)
  5.a.  O-4 billets: (read in six columns)
Country     Fill Date   Tour Length  Trng Date   Lang   Accompanied
Colombia    Jul 2020      24          Jul 2019   Spanish    Yes
Jordan      Jul 2021      36          Jan 2020   Arabic     Yes
Liberia     Jun 2020      24          Jun 2019   French     Yes
Mexico      Jul 2020      36          Jul 2019   Spanish    Yes
Turkey      Aug 2020      36          Mar 2019   Turkish    Yes
Vietnam     Jun 2020      36          Jan 2019   Vietnamese Yes
  5.b. O-5 billets: (read in six columns)
Country    Fill Date   Tour Length  Trng Date   Lang   Accompanied
Australia  Jan 2020      36          Aug 2019   English    Yes
China      Jul 2020      36          Jan 2019   Chinese    Yes
Dom Rep    Jul 2020      36          Aug 2019   Spanish    Yes
*Ghana     Aug 2020      36          Mar 2019   French     Yes
*Ghana is an Aviation Billet*
Iraq       Oct 2019      12          Jan 2019   Arabic     Yes
Kenya      Jul 2021      24          Aug 2020   Swahili    Yes
Latvia     Jan 2020      36          Jan 2019   Russian    No
Oman       Aug 2020      36          Jan 2019   Arabic     Yes
Senegal    Jul 2020      24          May 2019   French     Yes
Singapore  Jan 2020      36          Aug 2019   English    Yes
Taiwan     Jul 2020      36          Jan 2019   Chinese    Yes
6.  Reserve Attaches primary purpose is to augment the DAS for periods of up to one year.  Reserve Attache Program selectees will be transferred to the HQMC Intelligence Departments IMA Detachment (RUC 88600) prior to the start of the Reserve Attache training course.  The reserve JMAS runs annually for two weeks beginning in December and attendance at the reserve MARA course is required prior to filling any assignments abroad.  Drill attendance sheets, orders requests, and other administrative requirements associated with this duty will be processed by HQMC Intelligence Department.
  6.a.  For reserve billets, applicants must belong to the reserve component (SMCR, IMA, and IRR) or the active component with a transfer date to the USMCR before the end of the FY.
  6.b.  Reserve candidates must have had four satisfactory years of service (50 points minimum each year) during the last five years.
  6.c.  Reserve component applications must include a favorable endorsement from the applicants command (IMA Detachment or SMCR).  IRR officers should obtain this endorsement from the Marine Corps Individual Reserve Support Activity (MCIRSA).
  6.d.  Reserve candidates are not required to submit a family photo, family members NAVPERS 1300/16, family members NAVMED 1300/1, family members DD 2807-1, or a spouse SF-86.
  6.e.  For more information or questions regarding the Reserve Attache Program please contact Maj Pete Jeffrey: Tel: 703-614-7631 Email: peter.jeffrey@usmc.mil.
7.  The FY20 board will screen the following Reserve Component O-4 or O-5 billets:
Billets: (read in two columns)
Region              Trng Date
Asia-Pacific        As soon as available
Middle East         As soon as available
Europe-Eurasia      As soon as available
Americas            As soon as available
8.  All applications must be prepared in accordance with the guidance posted to the HQMC Intelligence Department website as outlined below.  Applications will be submitted through the chain of command and must include an endorsement from the first General Officer in the applicant’s chain of command.  “By direction” endorsements are not acceptable.  Applicants should list available billets in order of preference, although country selections will be based on the needs of the Marine Corps.  All application documents and templates can be found at:  http://www.hqmc.marines.mil/intelligence/Intel-OPS-PERS/Defense-Attache-Program/
9.  Applications must arrive at HQMC Intelligence Department NLT 20 June 2018.  Any applications received after 20 June 2018 will not be considered by the Selection Board.  Applications should be scanned and sent via email to:  mara.application@usmc.mil.  Applicants will receive a confirmation of receipt from this email address as soon as the application has been received at HQMC Intelligence Department.  If applicants do not receive a confirmation email within (3) business days, applicants should send a follow-on email and/or call 703-614-1484 or 571-256-9332.  Registered mail for hardcopy applications is not recommended due to Pentagon security screening delays.  For questions regarding the application process, call HQMC Intelligence Department at 703-614-1484 or 571-256-9332.
10.  Results of the Attache Selection Board will be published by MARADMIN with orders issued by M&RA via separate correspondence.  This bulletin is applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve.
11.  CMC (MMOA) Points of contact are:
    LtCol C. M. Murray, Aviation LtCol Monitor
      DSN:  278-9267, Comm:  (703) 784-9267
      Email:  christopher.m.murray@usmc.mil
    Maj P. M. Haines, Deputy Aviation LtCol Monitor
      DSN:  278-9267, Comm:  (703) 784-9267
      Email:  patrick.haines@usmc.mil
    LtCol R. H. Pitchford, Ground LtCol Monitor
      DSN:  278-9279, Comm:  (703) 784-9279
      Email:  richard.pitchford@usmc.mil
    Maj S. C. Culbertson, Deputy Ground LtCol Monitor
      DSN:  278-9279, Comm:  (703) 784-9279
      Email:  scott.culbertson@usmc.mil
    Maj J. A. Godfrey, CSS Ground Maj, MMOA-1
      DSN:  278-9279, Comm:  (703) 784-9279
      Email:  jerry.godfrey@usmc.mil
    Maj E. V. Holton, Combat Arms Maj, MMOA-1
      DSN:  278-9279, Comm:  (703) 784-9279
      Email:  edward.holton@usmc.mil
    Maj J. J. Onuska, Aviation Ground Maj, MMOA-2
      DSN:  278-9267, Comm:  (703)784-9267
      Email:  joshua.onuska@usmc.mil
    Maj J. A. Sax, RW Aviation Maj, MMOA-2
      DSN:  278-9267, Comm:  (703) 784-9267
      Email:  john.sax@usmc.mil
    Maj E. A. Scherrer, Fixed Wing Aviation Maj, MMOA-2
      DSN:  278-9267, Comm:  (703)784-9267
      Email:  eric.scherrer@usmc.mil
12.  This message was developed by HQMC Intelligence Department through coordination with Manpower Management Officer Assignments Division, Officer Assignments Branch, Plans and Programs section (MMOA-3).
13.  This MARADMIN applies to the Total Force.
14.  Release authorized by C. F. Swain, Deputy Director, Manpower Management Division.//