R 081945Z Jun 17
MARADMIN 290/17
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC I//
SUBJ/FY19 ACTIVE DUTY OPERATIONS COORDINATOR AND OPERATIONS NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER 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/MSGID: 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 120/17, FY19 ACTIVE AND RESERVE MARINE OPERATIONS COORDINATOR AND OPERATIONS NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER 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 Operations Coordinator/Operations Noncommissioned Officer (OPSCO/OPSNCO) program. OPSCO/OPSNCOs are volunteers competitively selected for these prestigious assignments coded for Foreign Area SNCO (FAS) billets through a board process.  This process ensures that the best and most fully qualified MAGTF NCOs and SNCOs are assigned to support both the Marine Corps and the United States in our embassies worldwide.
2.  OPSCOs/OPSNCOs fill essential positions within the Country Team of their respective embassies. Depending on the specific billet and country, OPSCOs/OPSNCOs provide day-to-day management, operational, financial, administrative, and logistical support to the Defense Attache Office (DAO) and the Security Cooperation Office (SCO) to which assigned.
3.  A day in the life of an OPSCO/OPSNCO might include:  support of 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/landing or over-flight, accompanying the Marine Attache (MARA) or Office of Defense Coordinator (ODC) to meetings at the host nation Ministry of Defense, meeting USG representatives (CODELs and CCDR/CCMD staff visits) as they arrive for official visits, or attending an evening function with  other country OPSCO/OPSNCOs, attaches, and host nation officials.
4.  The following prerequisites and requirements apply:
4.a.  The OPSCO/OPSNCO program is open to Sergeants to Gunnery Sergeants of any MOS.
4.b.  Applicants must belong to the Marine Corps Active Component to be eligible for Active Duty billets.
4.c.  Applicants must have completed minimum time on station requirements in accordance with reference (b) prior to executing orders, and consult their monitor.
4.d.  FAS 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.  OPSCO/OPSNCOs may apply for designation as a FAS upon completion of their tour.  FAS POCs are MSgt Ronal Morales, ronal.morales@usmc.mil, 703-692-4366 or Mr. Clay Fisher, clayton.fisher@usmc.mil, or by phone 703-692-4365.
4.e.  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 attache responsibilities.  Application to the OPSCO/OPSNCO program is not sufficient justification for TS/SCI eligibility determination.  NCOs and SNCOs 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).
4.f.  Families are an important element of the OPSCO/OPSNCO program.  OPSCO/OPSNCOs are encouraged to take their families to most assignments.  The OPSCO/OPSNCO, spouse, and other family members work as a team participating in a variety of social and diplomatic functions.  OPSCO/OPSNCOs 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.
5.  Training is conducted over approximately 20 weeks at Joint Military Attache School (JMAS), Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).  NCOs and SNCOs who successfully complete this training are then available for assignment abroad.  Language training is desired for designated 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 NCOs and SNCOs participating in the OPSCO/OPSNCO program will be ADCON to Marine Corps Intelligence Activity (MCIA) in Quantico, VA while training and on station.
6.  Through their embassy-based cultural and security cooperation actions, NCOs and SNCOs selected as OPSCO/OPSNCOs make valuable contributions to MAGTF plans, operations, and security assistance.
7.  For further assistance and/or additional information, please use the link below to the HQMC Intelligence Department Marine Corps Support to the Defense Attache Service 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.//