R 171205Z MAR 16
MARADMIN 161/16
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM//
SUBJ/FY18 ACTIVE AND RESERVE MARINE ATTACHE SELECTION BOARD//
REF/A/MSGID:DOC/MCO/YMD: 20090709//
REF/B/MSGID:DOC/MCO/YMD: 19941004//
REF/C/MSGID:DOC/SECNAVINST/YMD: 20131029//
REF/D/MSGID:DOC/DIAI/YMD: 20110525/NOTAL//
NARR/REF A IS MCO 3821.2, THE DEFENSE ATTACHE SYSTEM (DAS).  REF B IS MCO P1300.8S, THE MARINE CORPS PERSONNEL ASSIGNMENT POLICY.  REF C IS SECNAVINST 1300.16 DEFENSE ATTACHE SYSTEM (DAS). REF D IS DEFENSE ATTACHE SYSTEM OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT.//
POC/F. K. CHAWK III/LTCOL/UNIT: HQMC IOE/-/TEL: 703-614-4022 EMAIL: FRANK.CHAWK(AT)USMC.MIL//
POC/D. M. ROSS/LTCOL/UNIT: HQMC IOE/-/TEL: 703-693-5421/EMAIL: DAVID.M.ROSS(AT)USMC.MIL//
POC/D. R. VASSAR/CAPT/UNIT: HQMC IOE/-/TEL:571-256-9326/EMAIL: DANIEL.VASSAR(AT)USMC.MIL//
POC/T. C. THIBODEAU/MAJ/UNIT: HQMC IOP/-/TEL:703-614-7631/TEL:DSN 224-7631/ EMAIL:TREVOR.THIBODEAU(AT)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 FY18 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.  Attache 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 22 to 26 August 2016 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 POCs are Ms. Brittany Patterson, brittany.patterson.ctr(at)usmc.mil, or Mr. Clayton Fisher, clayton.fisher(at)usmc.mil or by phone (703) 614-0322. The following prerequisites and requirements apply:
    A.  Applicants must belong to the Marine Corps active component to be eligible for active duty billets.
    B.  Majors with at least 2 years time in grade may apply for billets coded for the next higher rank.
    C.  Applicants must have completed minimum time on station requirements in accordance with ref (b) prior to executing orders.
    D.  Per refs (a) and (d), 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 attache 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 obtain a Counterintelligence Scope Polygraph prior to attending the Joint Military Attache School (JMAS).
    E.  The MARA program is open to officers of any MOS.
    F.  Applicants must notify their primary MOS monitor of their intent to apply to the program prior to submitting an application. Applicants must include in their MARA application an email from their PMOS monitor stating whether or not the applicant meets time on station requirements, with comments on career progression/timing.
    G.  RAO/FAO experience and language proficiency are highly desirable but are not prerequisites.
    H.  Applicants in the above zone for promotion will only be considered on a case-by-case basis.
    I.  Applicants who have been issued orders will not be  considered.
    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.
    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 family's medical needs.
4.  Active duty training is conducted over approximately 20 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 required for most  billets.  The length of language training will be based on the language and proficiency level required.  Training start dates are dependent upon the country to which selected.  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 FY18 board will screen the following Active Component O-4 and O-5 billets: (Note: Fill and training dates are approximate) O-4 billets: (read in six columns)
Country      Rpt Date  Tour Lgth  Trng Date  Language    Accompanied
Colombia     Oct 2017     24      Apr 2017   Spanish             Yes
Israel       Jul 2018     36      Jan 2018   Hebrew              Yes
Kenya        Aug 2017     24      Jan 2017   English/Swahili     Yes
Mexico       Aug 2017     24      Jan 2017   Spanish             Yes
Liberia      Jan 2018     24      Aug 2017   English             Yes
Philippines  Jul 2018     36      Jan 2018   Tagalog             Yes
Ukraine      Aug 2018     24      Jan 2018   Russian/Ukrainian   Yes
O-5 billets:
Country      Rpt Date  Tour Lgth  Trng Date  Language    Accompanied
Georgia      Jul 2017     24      Jan 2017   Russian/Georgian    Yes
Iraq         Oct 2017     12      Apr 2017   Arabic               No
Pakistan     Aug 2018     12      Jan 2018   English              No
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 88831) 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.
    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.
    B.  Reserve candidates must have had four satisfactory years of service (50 points minimum each year) during the last five years.
    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).
    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.
    E.  For more information or questions regarding the Reserve Attache Program please contact Maj Trevor Thibodeau:  Tel: 703-614-7631 / Email: trevor.thibodeau(at)usmc.mil.
7.  THE FY18 board will screen the following Reserve Component O-4 or O-5 billets:
Billets: (read in two columns)
Region              Trng Date
Asia-Pacific        Dec  2016
Middle East         Dec  2016
Europe-Eurasia      Dec  2016
Americas            Dec  2016
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 applicants 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:(slash)(slash)www.hqmc.marines.mil(slash)intelligence(slash) intelopspers(slash)defenseattacheprogram.aspx
9.  Applications must arrive at HQMC Intelligence Department NLT 22 July 2016.  Any applications received after 22 July 2016 will not be considered by the Selection Board.  Applications should be scanned and sent via email to: mara.application(at)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 571-256-9326.  Registered mail for hardcopy applications is not recommended due to Pentagon security screening delays.  For questions regarding the application process, please call HQMC Intelligence Department at (571) 256-9326.
10.  Results of the Attache Selection Board will be published by MARADMIN with orders issued by M(and)RA via separate correspondence. This bulletin is applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve.
11. CMC (MMOA-1) Points of contact are: LtCol F. Fridriksson, Ground LtCol Monitor DSN: 278-9277 COMM (703) 784-9277  e-mail: fridrik.fridriksson(at)usmc.mil, Maj S. E. Schultze, CSS Maj Monitor DSN: 278-9277 COMM (703) 784-9277 e-mail: steven.schultze(at)usmc.mil, Maj T. W. Carey, Combat Arms Maj Monitor, DSN: 278-9277 COMM (703) 784-9277 e-mail: thomas.carey(at)usmc.mil. CMC (MMOA-2) Points of contact are: LtCol S. J. Lightfoot, Aviation LtCol Monitor DSN: 278-9267 COMM (703) 784-9267, e-mail: stephen.lightfoot(at)usmc.mil Maj P. M. Haines, Aviation Ground Maj Monitor DSN: 278-9267 COMM (703) 784-9267 e-mail: patrick.haines(at)usmc.mil, Maj R. A. Matthes, Rotary Wing Maj Monitor DSN: 278-9267 COMM (703) 784-9267 e-mail: rachel.matthes(at)usmc.mil, Maj N. R. Wineman, Fixed Wing Maj Monitor DSN: 278-9267 COMM (703) 784-9267 e-mail: Nicholas.wineman(at)usmc.mil.
12.  This message was developed by HQMC Intelligence Department through coordination with Manpower Management Officer Assignments Branch, Plans and Programs section (MMOA-3).
13.  Release authorized by MajGen Craig Q. Timberlake, Director, Manpower Management Division.//