R 081653Z Jun 17
MARADMIN 288/17
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC I//
SUBJ/FY19 ACTIVE DUTY MARINE ATTACHE PROGRAM ADVERTISEMENT//
REF/A/MSGID: DOC/DIAI/YMD: 20140509/NOTAL//
REF/B/MSGID: DOC/SECNAVINST/YMD: 20131029//
REF/C/MSGID: DOC/MCO/YMD: 20090709//
REF/D/MSGID: DOC/MCO/YMD: 19941004//
REF/E/MSDID: DOC/MARADMIN/YMD: 20170309 NARR/REF A IS DEFENSE ATTACHE SERVICE OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT, REF B IS SECNAVINST 1300.16 DEFENSE ATTACHE SYSTEM (DAS), REF C IS MCO 3821.2, THE DEFENSE ATTACHE SYSTEM (DAS), REF D IS MCO P1300.8R W/CH 1-8, THE MARINE CORPS PERSONNEL ASSIGNMENT POLICY, REF E IS MARADMIN 118/17, FY19 ACTIVE AND RESERVE MARINE ATTACHE SELECTION BOARD.//
POC/ M. S. JACKSON/CIV/UNIT: HQMC IOC/-/TEL: 571-256-9332/TEL: DSN 224-3881/EMAIL: MITCHEL.S.JACKSON@USMC.MIL//
POC/T. C. THIBODEAU/MAJ/UNIT: HQMC IOP-R /-/TEL: 703-614-7631/TEL: DSN 224-7631/ EMAIL:TREVOR.THIBODEAU@USMC.MIL//
POC/J. R. GORDON/SSGT/UNIT: HQMC IOP-R/-/TEL: 703-614-3657/TEL: DSN 224-3657/ EMAIL: JEFF.GORDON@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/Remarks/1.  Purpose.  The purpose of this MARADMIN is to advertise the Active Duty Component Marine Corps Attache (MARA) program. Attaches are volunteers competitively selected for these prestigious Joint assignments coded for Foreign Area Officer (FAO) or Regional Area Officer (RAO) billets through a board process.  This process ensures that the best and most fully qualified MAGTF officers are assigned to represent both the Marine Corps and the United States in our embassies worldwide.
2.  MARAs fill influential strategic-level positions within the Country Team of their respective embassies.  Depending on the specific billet and country, attachés serve as the 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 attaches may also serve as the Senior Defense Official/Defense Attache (SDO/DATT).  The MARA filling the SDO/DATT billet directs, controls, operates, and administers the Defense Attache Office (DAO), and the Security Cooperation Office (SCO)to which assigned.
3.  MARA duties may vary by country, but all provide the Chief of Mission information for consideration on political-military situations and issues, support U.S. military Theater Security Cooperation and/or Security Assistance programs.  A day in the life of a MARA might include: field operations/exercises with host nation defense forces, officially observing host nation elections in remote locations, coordinating a USN ship or USAF air craft visit/overflight, accompanying the Chief of Mission to political meetings at the highest levels, meeting USG representatives (CODELs and CCDR/CCMD staff visits) as they arrive for official visits, or hosting/attending an evening function with your spouse attended by other country attaches and host nation officials and their spouses.
4.  MARADMIN 118/17 soliciting applications for the MARA program was published in March 2017, and it specifically identified billets that will be screened by the MARA Selection Board.  Applications must arrive at HQMC Intelligence Department NLT 21 June 2017.  The MARA Selection Board will convene in August of 2017 at Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.  In selecting the most qualified MAGTF officers to fill each billet, the Board will carefully consider each applicant’s demonstrated performance and career progression.  No additional service obligation is incurred following a MARA tour.
5.  The following prerequisites and requirements apply:
5.a.  The MARA program is open to officers of any MOS.
5.b.  Applicants must belong to the Marine Corps Active Component to be eligible for Active Duty billets.
5.c.  Applicants must have completed minimum time on station requirements in accordance with reference (d) prior to executing orders.
5.d.  Majors with at least 2 years in grade may apply for billets coded for the next higher rank.  Captains that have been selected for Major may apply for O4/Major billets.
5.e.  FAO/RAO experience and language proficiency are highly desirable, but are not prerequisites.  All applicants not already proficient in a foreign language should take the Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) to test their individual ability to learn a language.  MARAs may apply for designation as a FAO or RAO upon completion of their tours. FAO/RAO POCS are Ms. Brittany Patterson, brittany.patterson.ctr@usmc.mil, or Mr. Clay Fisher, clayton.fisher@usmc.mil, or by phone 703-692-4365.
5.f.  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 MARA responsibilities.  Application to the MARA program is not sufficient justification for TS/SCI eligibility determination.  Officers selected by the Board will also be required to either have a current (within the last 5 years) Counterintelligence Scope Polygraph (CSP) or obtain one prior to attending the Joint Military Attache School (JMAS).
5.g.  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 and friends who last a lifetime.  Applicants with dependents enrolled in Exceptional Family Member Program are eligible to apply, but could be restricted to countries that can meet the family’s medical needs.
6.  Training is conducted over approximately 20 weeks at Joint Military Attache School (JMAS).  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 and ranges from six months to more than a year, depending on the language.  Training start dates are dependent upon the country to which selected.  Active Duty officers participating in the MARA program will be ADCON to Marine Corps Intelligence Activity (MCIA) in Quantico, VA while training and on station.
7.  For further assistance and/or additional information, please use the link below to the HQMC Intelligence Department MARA website:  http:(slash slash)www.hqmc.marines.mil/intelligence/intelopspers/defenseattacheprogram.aspx.  Or use the contact information on the first page of this message.
8.  Release authorized by Mr Phillip C. Chudoba, Assistant Director of Intelligence.//