R 041835Z MAR 19
MARADMIN 132/19
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM//
SUBJ/FY21 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), AND REF D IS DEFENSE ATTACHE SERVICE OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT.//
POC/TOM BROWNE/LTCOL/HQMC IEO/-/TEL: 703-693-5421/
Email: THOMAS.BROWNE(AT)USMC.MIL//
POC/J. N. CHAMPION/SSGT/HQMC IER/-/TEL: 703-695-4317/Email: JEREMIAH.CHAMPION@USMC.MIL//
USMC SSO POC/CHARLENE BAER/HQMC SSO/-/Tel:703-693-6005/Email: HQMC_SSO@USMC.MIL//
POC/R. T. SOTELO/GYSGT/MMEA-25 MONITOR/TEL: 703-432-9473/Email: RYAN.SOTELO@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 FY21 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 19 to 23 August 2019 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-8.
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, typically 36 months, in accordance with reference (b) prior to executing orders. Requirement can be waived if recommended by the unit Commanding Officer at the discretion of CMC(MM).
3.e. Per references (a) and (b), applicants must have completed a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) or T5 security investigation and have Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) eligibility to apply to the Marine Attaché Program. Application to the MARA Program is not sufficient justification for investigation/SCI eligibility determination. SSBI/T5 requests will not be submitted as part of the DAS application. Staff Non-Commissioned Officers selected by the board will be required to either have a current (within the last 5 years) Counterintelligence Scope Polygraph, or obtain one prior to attending the Joint Military Attaché School (JMAS). For questions regarding clearances, contact USMC SSO at 703-693-6005 or hqmc_sso@usmc.mil.
3.f. Applicants must notify their Primary Military Occupational Specialty (PMOS) 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. Marines who have attended a formal military school in excess of 20 weeks or are currently serving in a B-billet outside of their PMOS will not be favorably considered until previous obligation has been served.
4. 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 ADCON to the Marine Corps Intelligence Activity while in training and on station.
5. The FY20 board will screen for the following active duty billets: (read in five columns)
E-6 – E-7 Billets:
Country Fill Date Tour Language Accompanied
Armenia Jan 2021 24 Armenian Yes
Ethiopia Jun 2021 24 English Yes
Jordan Oct 2021 36 Arabic Yes
Nepal Jan 2021 24 English Yes
Tunisia Oct 2021 24 Arabic Yes (Adults only)
Although the above billets are coded as E-6 – E-7 billets, Marines of any rank between E-5 to E-8 will be considered.
6. Reserve DAS Program selectees will be transferred to the HQMC Intelligence Department’s IMA Detachment (RUC 88600) 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.
6.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.
6.b. Reserve candidates must have had four satisfactory years of service (50 points minimum each year) during the last five years.
6.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).
7. The FY21 Board will screen for the following reserve component regions: E-5 to E-8 billets: (read in two columns)
Region Trng Date
Asia-Pacific As soon as available
Middle East As soon as available
Europe-Eurasia As soon as available
Americas As soon as available
8. 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 the first O-5 level Commander in their chain of command. Reserve component applications must include a favorable endorsement from the applicant’s 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://www.hqmc.marines.mil/intelligence/Intel-OPS-PERS/Defense-Attache-Program/
9. Applications must arrive at HQMC Intelligence Department NLT 21 June 2019. Any applications received after 21 June 2019 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 (703)693-5421. 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 (703)693-5421.
10. Results of the OPSCO/OPSNCO Selection Board will be published by MARADMIN with orders issued by M&RA via separate correspondence. This bulletin is applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force.
11. This message was developed by HQMC Intelligence Department through coordination with Manpower Management Enlisted Assignments Division, Special Duty Assignments (MMEA-25).
12. Release authorized by MajGen Craig C. Crenshaw, Director, Manpower Management Division.//