R 271752Z FEB 20
MARADMIN 121/20
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC DCI WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE FY20 CMC MARINE CORPS MASTERS OF APPLIED CYBER OPERATIONS (MACO) PROGRAM//
REF/A/MSGID: DOC/MCO 1300.8/YMD:20140918//
REF/B/MSGID: DOC/MCO 1520.9G CH1/YMD:20121201//
REF/C/MSGID: DOC/MCO 1560.21/YMD:20130513//
REF/D/MSGID: DOC/MCO P1326.6D/YMD:20151012//
REF/E/MSGID: DOC/MCO 1300.8/YMD:20180914//
REF/F/MSGID: DOC/MARADMIN 197-18/YMD:20180405//
NARR/REF A IS MCO 1300.8, THE MARINE CORPS PERSONNEL ASSIGNMENT POLICY.  REF B 1520.9G, IS THE MARINE CORPS SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM. REF C 1560.21, IS THE MARINE CORPS STAFF NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER DEGREE COMPLETION PROGRAM. REF D P1326.6D, IS THE SELECTING, SCREENING, AND PREPARING ENLISTED MARINES FOR SPECIAL DUTY ASSIGNMENTS AND INDEPENDENT DUTIES (SDAMAN). REF E 1300.8, IS THE MARINE CORPS PERSONNEL ASSIGNMENTS POLICY. REF F IS MARADMIN 197-18, ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CYBERSPACE OPERATIONS OCCUPATIONAL FIELD (17XX OCCFLD) INFORMATION PORTAL//
POC/J. N. GRETH/MSGT/DCI/OCCFLD/EMAIL: JONATHAN.GRETH(AT)USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  This MARADMIN establishes the provisions for eligibility and selection to the Commandant of the Marine Corps Masters of Applied Cyber Operations (MACO) Program and provides guidance for Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) implementation.  This MARADMIN is a solicitation for applications.  Applications are due no later than 15 Mar 2020.
2.  Senior leadership recognizes the need to develop resident talent within the cyber operations domain and to manage and retain our highly educated Marines.  The purpose of the MACO program is to make fiscally disciplined investments in education that develop a cohort of cyber operations professionals for duty in high visibility cyberspace operations assignments at Headquarters Marine Corps, Marine Forces Headquarters, Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEF), MEF Information Groups, Marine Corps Cyberspace Operations Group, Marine Corps Cyberspace Warfare Group and Marine Forces Cyberspace Command.  Filling these billets is critical for the Marine Corps to meet the challenges of operationalizing cyberspace across the MAGTF.  Selectees will learn to seize and sustain an information advantage through all stages of operations, from early warning through detection, planning, targeting, cyber fires, assessing effects and resetting for follow-on plans and operations.  Details regarding the standard curriculum will be posted at the MACO program page listed in para 5.a of this message.
3.  Eligibility
3.a.  Active duty Marines in the grades of Staff Sergeant through Master Sergeant.
3.b.  Must have between 7 and 20 years of service.
3.c.  Must not have been passed over for selection to the next higher grade.
3.d.  Must meet reenlistment requirements established by DC, M&RA.
3.e.  Must hold the primary MOS of 1721, 1711, or 1799. Exceptions tothis may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
3.f.  Must have a minimum of 4 years remaining on contract from the start date of the program.
3.g.  A minimum of 24 months on station is required for applicants inContinental United States or 36 months in Outside of Continental United States assignments prior to the commencement of school (September 2020).  Prescribed tours of duty will not normally be interrupted, but waivers may be requested.
3.h.  Applicants must possess a Bachelor of Science degree in a relevant technical field including, but not limited to, computer science, electrical engineering, and information or engineering technology.  The degree must have been awarded by an institution of higher learning accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.  To meet Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) academic requirements, performance in technical courses, including mathematics, must be exemplary.
3.i.  Must hold or be eligible for a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance.  Applicants without a current TS/SCI clearance are still encouraged to apply, but should work with their security office to initiate the clearance request.  Orders to NPS will not be issued until TS/SCI clearance is finalized.
3.j. Applicants must be Professional Military Education complete for their current rank.
4.  Program Specifics
4.a.  MACO Program.  The purpose of the master’s program is to select up to three staff non-commissioned officers (SNCO) to participate in a fully-funded master’s program focused on applied cyber operations.  This program is designed for 18 months of resident coursework at the NPS, Monterey, CA.
4.b.  Expenses.  In accordance with reference (f), students will receive a 100 dollar book stipend for each semester of full time academic work (as defined by the institution). Reimbursement for any parking fees and other non-essential requirements are not authorized.
4.c. Students will be required to follow the designed curriculum path for degree completion but are authorized to take additional credit hours from other courses, if available.
5.  Application Process
5.a.  The application templates, along with additional information, and updates for the MACO Program can be found on the MACO Program webpage on the Cyber Occupational Field information portal located at www.milsuite.mil/book/groups/usmc-cyber-occfld.
5.b.  Completed applications are to be sent via e-mail to cyberoccfld(AT)usmc.mil, subject titled “CMC Marine Corps Applied Cyber Operations (MACO) Program Application”.
5.c.  Applications are due no later than 15 Mar 2020.
5.d.  Applicants shall not apply to the NPS prior to being notified of their acceptance into the program.
6.  Service Requirements
6.a.  All applicants must agree, via AA FORM, in writing to:
6.a.1.  Not request separation or retirement while participating in the program or during period of service obligation.
6.a.2.  Accept an active duty service commitment from the date of completed coursework for four years.  Should a participant fail to meet the master’s coursework requirements, they will incur an active duty service obligation equal to three times the number of months of education completed.  The service obligation will run concurrent with any other individual service obligation.  
6.b.  Upon successful completion of the degree program, participants will serve in at least one utilization tour prior to separation from the active duty Marine Corps, based on the needs of the Marine Corps.
7.  Selection
7.a.  SNCOs will be screened by elements of Marine Corps University (MCU) and Deputy Commandant for Information (DC I) to determine whether the applicants are qualified to represent the Marine Corps.
7.b.  SNCOs will be notified via a results MARADMIN directly following the conclusion of the screening process and will receive instructions on applying to NPS.
7.c.  Receipt of orders is contingent upon official acceptance to the NPS.  Director, Manpower Management is the final approval authority for all assignments to the MACO Program.
8.  Questions
8.a.  MACO Program questions may be directed to MCU for program requirements via e-mail to mcu_macop_application(AT)usmcu.edu.
8.b.  Application submission questions may be directed to DC I, Information Maneuver Division, via email to cyberoccfld(at)usmc.mil, subject titled “CMC Marine Corps Applied Cyber Operations (MACO) Program”.
9.  This MARADMIN is not applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve.
10.  Release authorized by LtGen L. E. Reynolds, Headquarters Marine Corps, Deputy Commandant for Information//