R 211840Z JUN 18
MARADMIN 343/18
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC DCI WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/ANNOUNCEMENT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS (PSYOP) 0521 PRIMARY MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR LATERAL MOVE//
REF/A/ NAVMC 1200.1D
REF/B/ MCO 3120.10A
REF/C/ PSYOP PMOS COMMAND SCREENING CHECKLIST NARR/REF A IS FY18 MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES MANUAL (SHORT TITLE:  MOS MANUAL); REF B IS MARINE CORPS INFORMATION OPERATIONS PROGRAM//
POC:/WILLIAM CORREA/SSGT (PSYOP MOS SPECIALIST, DCI, MCIOC) TEL: 703-784-5079/EMAIL: WCORREA@MCIA.OSIS.GOV/ANDREW MCCURRY/MGYSGT (PSYOP MONITOR, MMEA) TEL: 703 432-9349/EMAIL: ANDREW.MCCURRY@USMC.MIL/MR MICHAEL MAJERCIN (MCIOC ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE SPECIALIST) TEL: 703-784-5297/ EMAIL: MMAJERCIN@MCIA.OSIS.GOV//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  The purpose of this MARADMIN is to announce the creation of the Primary MOS (PMOS) for Psychological Operations (PSYOP) and to solicit qualified Marines to execute a lateral move (LATMOV) option into the PMOS 0521 (PSYOP Marine). Marines who meet the prerequisites listed in paragraph (6) below are encouraged to apply.
2.  The Commandant of the Marine Corps has placed a renewed emphasis on operating in the information environment. The Marine Corps seeks to meet this demand by building a capability to influence target audiences and to advise staffs and partners on cultural considerations to achieve tactical and operational objectives.  Information Operations (IO) includes all actions taken to affect enemy information and information systems while defending friendly information and information systems.  IO is focused on the adversary’s key decision-makers and is conducted during all phases of an operation, across the range of military operations, and at every level. IO, in planning and execution, seeks to coordinate and integrate MAGTF actions and communications and enhance all MAGTF Operations.
3.  PSYOP conveys selected information and indicators to foreign audiences to influence their emotions, motives, objective reasoning, and ultimately the behavior of foreign organizations, groups, and individuals in a manner favorable to the commander’s objectives.  PSYOP enables the Marine Corps to understand and achieve effects in the information environment. PSYOP Marines are primarily responsible for the analysis of cultural factors, as well as the development and distribution of products used to cause informational and psychological effects.  PSYOP researches and determines effective methods of influencing foreign populations from a variety of information sources. PSYOP Marines operate and maintain a variety of message dissemination equipment. Interpersonal communication skills, interest in foreign cultures and languages, and the ability to analyze and organize information are required.  PSYOP Marines build rapport with key leaders in unfamiliar surroundings.
4.  At the time of this MARADMIN’s publishing, the 0521 MOS is a free MOS (FMOS) for enlisted Marines. For FY19 (1 October, 2018) and beyond, billets coded as FMOS 0521 convert to a PMOS requirement. Ref b delegates MOS manager duties to Commanding Officer of the Marine Corps Information Operations Center (MCIOC).  Ref c outlines the requirements to qualify for the 0521 MOS and includes application routing procedures for applicants, career planners and screeners. A PSYOP monitor has been identified by MMEA and is listed as a point of contact in this MARADMIN. An occupational field sponsor will be established within the office of the Deputy Commandant, Information.
5.  In order to meet current and emerging Marine Corps PSYOP requirements, volunteers who currently hold the 0521 FMOS and who apply for the PSYOP PMOS represent the initial population of the Marine Corps PSYOP community. The following paragraphs outline the requirements and administrative process to be awarded the 0521 PMOS.
6.  Per ref (a), the following prerequisites for lateral move into the 0521 PMOS (PSYOP Marine) apply:
   6.a.  Must be a volunteer Corporal or Sergeant.  Staff NCOs will be considered by exception on a case by case basis.
   6.b.  Eligible for a secret security clearance. TS/SCI eligibility is desired.
   6.c.  Must possess a GT score of 100 or higher (waivable up to five points).
   6.d.  Must have run and maintain a first class PFT and CFT. PFT and CFT scores are needed for the initial application. A PFT is also administered as part of the PSYOP screening process and one is administered during the PSYOP Qualification course.
   6.e.  Must be interviewed, screened, and recommended for a lateral move through the screening process conducted by the MCIOC.
   6.f.  Upon being awarded the 0521 MOS, incur at least 48 months of obligated service.
   6.g.  Complete the Psychological Qualification Operations Course at Fort Bragg, NC or at Fort Hunter-Liggett, CA.
   6.h.  Complete Intermediate MAGTF Information Operations Practitioner Course (IMIOPC) at Expeditionary Warfare Training Group, Atlantic.
   6.i.  Must be worldwide deployable at the time of lateral move to 0521 PMOS.
7.  Marines who currently possess the 0521 FMOS are the target population to provide an initial population of qualified 0521 PMOS to meet current and emerging Marine Corps requirements.  These individuals are highly encouraged to apply for the 0521 PMOS.  Screening and recommendation responsibilities will fall ultimately to the discretion of the Commanding Officer of MCIOC as the MOS Manager.
8.  The administrative process to submit for lateral move to the 0521 PMOS is as follows:
    8a.  Applicants interested in the 0521 PMOS should review evaluation criteria and PSYOP screening process, then complete the command screening checklist (ref c) located at: https:(slash)(slash)eis.usmc.mil/sites/mcioc/PSYOP%20PMOS/sitepages/home.aspx.
    8b.  Interested applicants shall notify their monitors and their career planner of their intent to apply. Applicants will then initiate a Reenlistment Extension Lateral Move (RELM) package where the applicant formally requests to re-enlist within their PMOS but the Intended MOS (IMOS) of 0521 will be listed within their RELM.  Monitors, career planners, and parent commands should be aware that once a RELM is approved, the applicant will then fall under the 0500 Marine Assignment Code (MAC) and will be subject to orders at the discretion of M&RA.
    8c.  Because applicants may be stationed anywhere in the world, it is advantageous to centralize information flow to the locations where the PSYOP screening processes will occur. Unit Career Planners shall coordinate with MCIOC, I, II or III MEF Information Group (MIG) Career Planners to schedule the applicant for the next available PSYOP screening process. Because the MIGs facilitate the screening process as it is administered by the MCIOC personnel, MIG Career Planners are positioned as an information hub for Career Planners in the same geographic area. Upon successful completion of the PSYOP screening process and after obtaining the appropriate endorsement from PSYOP screening representatives on the command screening checklist, applicants will route their checklist through their parent command for command endorsement (O-5 or higher).
    8d.  Applicants shall route their command screening checklist and completed RELM to Headquarters, Marine Corps (HQMC) via the Total Force Retention System (TFRS).
    8e.  PSYOP screening processes are subject to availability and will be administered principally by the MCIOC, which will send screening teams to Camp Lejeune, Camp Pendleton, Okinawa, and Hawaii three times per year. IO or PSYOP representatives at the MIGs will assist in facilitating the PSYOP screening processes, which includes the provision of training venues, organic expertise for instruction and panels, and logistics support for physical events during the screening process.
    8f.  I, II, and III MIG career planners will act as a central information point for other career planners to anticipate upcoming PSYOP screening events. Applicants located in the National Capital Region will contact either the MCIOC or the PSYOP Monitor to anticipate dates for upcoming screening events.
    8g. Requests for lateral move into the 0521 PMOS will be forwarded to Deputy Commandant, Manpower and Reserve Affairs. The applicant’s current PMOS Monitor will review the request; the LATMOV Monitor will make the final determination. Upon approval, the applicant will then be designated as 0500 MOS and will then receive orders (typically Permanent Change of Assignment orders) to the nearest feasible location for on the job training while they await follow-on courses.
9.  The PSYOP MOS Specialist, in coordination with MCIOC and TECOM, will slate approved applicants to attend either the Psychological Operations Qualification Course at Fort Bragg (CID: A05M301), or the Psychological Operations Qualification Course at Fort Hunter Liggett (CID: A34M301). The MCIOC conducts a resident Three-week Primer aboard MCB Quantico quarterly. The goal of the Primer is to prepare Marines for the physical and academic rigors of PSYOP training. Selected Marines will attend the Primer to increase the likelihood of successfully completing Psychological Operations Courses. The Psychological Operations Course at Fort Bragg, NC is a U.S. Army Special Operations course and physical fitness standards are strictly enforced. The MCIOC will fund applicants to attend regularly scheduled Primers aboard MCB Quantico.
10.  Funding to attend the PSYOP screening process is the responsibility of the parent command. Though the screening processes will be conducted regularly at Camp Lejeune, Camp Pendleton, Hawaii and Okinawa, funding may be afforded by the MCIOC on a case by case basis for applicants who reside outside of the aforementioned geographical areas. IMIOPC and the Psychological Operations Qualification Courses are funded by TECOM but per Ref A, only one of the two approved Psychological Operations Qualification Courses is required as part of the PSYOP training pipeline. Applicants will be laterally moved to the 0521 PMOS and issued orders to a permanent 0521 assignment only after graduation from one of the above approved courses as well as IMIOPC.  Once documentation of course completion is submitted to HQMC and the MOS is awarded, applicants will incur 48 months of obligated service and they may receive Permanent Change of Station orders, depending on Marine Corps staffing and billet availability. Failure to complete the required training will result in reassignment by the applicant’s original PMOS monitor. If Marines are unable to complete a required course but are recommended by that school to be recycled in a later course, commands have the discretion to authorize a second attempt. If applicants are designated as 0500 but then become unable to attend the required courses within a reasonable amount of time, they may be reassigned via TFRS. The lateral move monitor makes the final determination.
11.  This MARADMIN is not applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve.
12.  Release authorized by LtGen ODonohue, Headquarters Marine Corps, Deputy Commandant, Information.//