R 091505Z MAR 17
MARADMIN 120/17
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM//
SUBJ/FY19 ACTIVE AND RESERVE COMPONENT DEFENSE ATTACHE SYSTEM
OPERATIONS COORDINATOR AND OPERATIONS NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER
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/E. M. ARBOGAST/LTCOL/HQMC IOC/-/TEL: (703) 614-3881 EMAIL: ERIC.ARBOGAST@USMC.MIL//
POC/M. S. JACKSON/CIV/HQMC IOC/-/TEL: (571) 256-9332 EMAIL:  MITCHEL.S.JACKSON@USMC.MIL//
POC/J. R. GORDON/SSGT/HQMC IOP/-/TEL: (703) 614-3657 Tel: DSN 224-3657/EMAIL: JEFF.GORDON@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/Remarks/1.  Purpose.  In accordance with the references, this MARADMIN outlines the active duty and reserve component Operations Coordinator (OPSCO) and Operations Non-Commissioned Officer (OPSNCO) billets and the procedures for application.  This message solicits applications for the FY19 OPSCO and OPSNCO positions.
2.  HQMC Intelligence Department manages 14 OPSCO and OPSNCO billets in embassies around the world.  OPSCOs and OPSNCOs are volunteers competitively selected for this prestigious assignment through a board process to ensure the best and most fully qualified Marines are assigned to represent both the Marine Corps and the United States in our embassies worldwide.  OPSCOs and OPSNCOs provide critical administrative support and technical expertise to Defense Attache Offices (DAO) which allows the DAO to advise the Chief of Mission on military issues.
3.  The OPSCO and OPSNCO Selection Board is tentatively scheduled to convene from 21 to 25 August 2017 at Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. In selecting the most qualified Marines to fill each billet, the board will carefully consider each applicants career progression.  The following prerequisites and requirements apply:
3.a.  The OPSCO/OPSNCO billets are open to enlisted Marines of any MOS.
3.b.  Applicants must be in the grades E-5 to E-7.  Gunnery Sergeants selected for Master Sergeant or First Sergeant are not eligible.  Applicants who have twice failed selection for promotion to the next higher grade are not eligible.
3.c.  Applicants must have completed professional military education requirements, for their current grade, prior to commencement of the selection board.
3.d.  Applicants must have completed minimum time on station requirements in accordance with reference (b) prior to executing orders.
3.e.  Per references (a) and (b), applicants must have a current Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) and be eligible for a Top Secret clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information prior to commencement of the selection board.  SSBI requests will not be submitted as part of the DAS application.  Marines selected by the board will be required to either have a current one (within the last 5 years) or obtain a Counterintelligence Scope Polygraph before attending the Joint Military Attache School (JMAS).
3.f.  Applicants must notify their primary MOS Monitor prior to submitting their nomination packages to ensure eligibility for orders.  Applicants already in receipt of orders will not be considered.  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.  Regional and/or cultural experience and language proficiency are desirable but are not required.
3.h.  No additional service obligation is incurred following a DAS tour, although Marines applying for the program must have sufficient obligated service to complete a DAS tour.
3.i.  Families are an important element of the DAS Program.  Marines are encouraged to take their families to most assignments.  The Marine, spouse, and other family members work as a team, participating in a variety of social and diplomatic functions.  Marine 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 are eligible to apply, but may not be able to participate if there are no countries that meet the familys medical needs.
3.j.  JMAS training is conducted over approximately 13 weeks at the Defense Intelligence Agency, Washington, DC.  Language training is required for some billets.  The length of language training is based on the language and proficiency level required but is generally between 24-62 weeks.  Training start dates are dependent upon the country to which selected.  Marines who successfully complete the training are then available for assignment abroad.  All active duty Marines participating in the enlisted DAS Program are under administrative control of the Marine Corps Intelligence Activity while in training and on station.
4.  The FY19 board will screen for the following active duty billets: (read in six columns)
E-5 Billets:
MCC Country        Fill Date    Tour   Language     Accompanied
P63 Armenia        Jul 2018      24    English      Yes
P55 Dom. Rep       Oct 2019      36    Spanish      Yes
P43 Egypt          Oct 2018      24    Arabic       Yes
P50 El Salvador    Jun 2019      36    Spanish      Yes
P65 Ethiopia       Jul 2019      24    English      Yes
TK9 Ghana          Sep 2019      24    English      Yes
P49 Tunisia        Jun 2019      24    French       Adults only
P61 Ukraine        Sep 2019      24    Ukrainian    Yes
P64 Yemen          Aug 2018      12    English      No
Although the above billets are coded as E-5 billets, Marines of any rank between E-5 to E-7 will be considered.
5.  Reserve DAS Program selectees will be transferred to the HQMC Intelligence Departments IMA Detachment (RUC 88831) prior to the start of the Reserve DAS course.  Attendance at the Reserve DAS course is required and will be two weeks, commencing in December.  Drill attendance sheets, orders requests, and other administrative requirements associated with this duty will be processed by HQMC Intelligence Department.
5.a.  Applicants for reserve billets 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.
5.b.  Reserve candidates must have had four satisfactory years of service (50 points minimum each year) during the last five years.
5.c.  A favorable endorsement from the applicants command (IMA Detachment or SMCR) is required.  IRR Marines should obtain this endorsement from the Marine Corps Individual Reserve Support Activity (MCIRSA).
6.  The FY19 Board will screen for the following reserve component regions:  E-5 to E-7 billets:  (read in two columns)
Region              Trng Date
Asia-Pacific        Dec 2017
Middle East         Dec 2017
Europe-Eurasia      Dec 2017
Americas            Dec 2017
7.  Applications must be prepared in accordance with guidance posted to the HQMC Intelligence Department website as outlined below.  Active duty applications will be submitted through the chain of command and must include an endorsement from their Commanding Officer.  Reserve component applications must include a favorable endorsement from the applicants command (IMA Detachment or SMCR).  IRR Marines should obtain this endorsement from the MCIRSA.  Applicants should list available billets in order of preference, although country selection will be based on the needs of the Marine Corps.  Application documents and templates can be found at: http:(slash slash)www.hqmc.marines.mil/intelligence/intelopspers/defenseattacheprogram.aspx.
8.  Applications must arrive at HQMC Intelligence Department NLT 21 June 2017.  Any applications received after 21 June 2017 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 of sending the application, applicants should send a follow-on email and/or call 571-256-9332.  Registered mail for hardcopy applications is not recommended as there is a lag in delivery time to the Intelligence Department from when it arrives at the Pentagon.  For questions regarding the application process, please call HQMC Intelligence Department at (571) 256-9332.
9.  Results of the OPSCO/OPSNCO 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.
10.  MMEA POC/M.A. Flores/MSgt/Tel: (703) 784-9965 Email:  mark.a.flores2@usmc.mil//
POC/W.R. Pascua/MSgt/Tel: (703) 784-9338 Email:  willy.pascua@usmc.mil//
11.  This message was developed by HQMC Intelligence Department through coordination with Manpower Management Division (MM).
12.  Release authorized by MajGen Michael A. Rocco, Director, Manpower Management Division.//