R 221915Z JUN 22
MARADMIN 314/22
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC IC4//
SUBJ/2022-2023 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CYBER SCHOLARSHIP RETENTION PROGRAM SOLICITATION//
POC/C. MALLORY/CIV/IWD/TEL: 703-693-1872/EMAIL: CHRISTINE.A.MALLORY@USMC.MIL//
POC/R. LETTEER/CIV/IC4/TEL: 703-693-3490/EMAIL: RAY.LETTEER@USMC.MIL//
POC/D. CLARKE/CIV/IC4/TEL: 703-693-3490/EMAIL: DIANE.CLARKE@USMC.MIL//
POC/M. GUARD/LTCOL/MMOA-3/TEL: 703-784-9284/EMAIL: MITCHELL.GUARD@USMC.MIL//
POC/A. FALLAN/MSGT/IMD/TEL: 571-256-8786/EMAIL: ANDREW.FALLAN@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  This message announces the Department of Defense (DoD) Cyber Scholarship Retention Program (CySP) Academic Year 2022/2023 nomination requirements and provides details for the civilian and Marine application process.  The DoD CySP provides professional development opportunities to personnel who support DoD critical cyber functions in exchange for continued service within the Department.
2.  The Marine Corps encourages personnel to take advantage of the degree completion opportunities provided through the DoD CySP. During a time of limited training resources, this program provides a viable means to fund advanced education for personnel who are part of the Cyber Work Force.
3.  Marine Corps Eligibility Requirements.  Permanent DoD civilian employees and Active Duty military officers are eligible for either masters or doctoral programs offered through the scholarship program. Active Duty Enlisted personnel are eligible for all programs described in paragraph 6.
4.  Nominated personnel should be high performing employees who have demonstrated the potential for increased responsibilities.  Nominations should fulfill specific personnel development requirements for both the individual nominee and the nominating organization.
5.  Academic Disciplines.  CySP participants must pursue degrees in academic disciplines listed on the DoD CySP website https:(slash)(slash)www.dodemergingtech.com/dod-cysp-retention-program-available-degree-programs/.  The DoD CySP does not offer scholarships to attend a school of choice nor pay for degree programs currently in progress.  The DoD CySP will not pay for “like” degrees.  Individuals who already hold a degree in Cyber, Information Technology, Information Assurance, Computer Science, or any other related technical field may apply, but need to apply for a superior degree, (e.g., for a masters degree if currently holding a bachelors).
6.  Participating Institutions.  The below is a brief description of the available programs.  More details can be found at the DoD CySP Retention Program website at https:(slash)(slash)www.dodemergingtech.com/dod-cysp-retention- program-available-degree-programs/.
6.a.  Doctorate and Graduate Level Programs:
6.a.1.  DoD institutions offering full-time academic programs leading to a masters or doctoral degree are the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) and the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS).  Both are open to all candidates.
6.a.2.  Joint Cyber Analysis Course (JCAC) Partner Program:  Uses pre-established National Security Agency (NSA) agreements, and graduates of the JCAC program may transfer credits into an approved undergraduate or graduate programs.  A list of participating institutions can be found at the website identified in para 6. This program is offered only to enlisted personnel.
6.b.  Community College Program:  Community college designated as Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education have been invited to participate in an associate degree program, which offers full or part-time attendance options.  Individuals that desire to participate in the CySP Community College Program should review the list of institutions at the website listed above in para 6.  Students have up to four years to complete an Associate degree.  This program is offered only to enlisted personnel and is only provided in a Distance Learning format.
7.  Program Costs.  The cost of tuition, required fees, and required books are covered by the CySP program.  The Service Component (USMC) is responsible for travel/Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs to and from the academic institution.
7.a.  Civilian students will continue to receive their salaries from their parent commands throughout their course of study.  Parent commands of civilian students are also responsible for all costs associated with travel, Temporary Additional Duty (TAD), facilitating PCS, or back-filling individuals selected for the program.  Prospective applicants should meet with their parent commands to discuss all potential program costs, and command expectations of the nominee during and after completing the CySP.
8.  Obligations.  DoD CySP participants must fulfill post-academic service obligations pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2200a.  Selected applicants are obligated to:  (a) maintain good standing in their degree programs, (b) to continue in service as civilian employees or military members, and (c) where applicable, repay program costs for failure to satisfactorily complete the degree program and/or to fulfill the service commitment consistent with 10 U.S.C. 2200a (b)(2) and (3), and the policies of the Department and the respective Component.  All CySP students are required to sign a continued service agreement.  Additional service obligations details can be found at https:(slash)(slash)www.dodemergingtech.com/dod-cysp-retention-program-obligations/
8.a.  DoD civilian employees must sign a 10 U.S.C. 2200 continued service agreement with their parent organization or component prior to commencement of CySP education program.  The obligation to continue service within the DoD is for a period equal to three times the length of the education period, and starts at the conclusion of program participation.  If selected, students must sign a Student Code of Conduct Agreement, a Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) waiver required for release of transcripts, and other additional agreement forms as required.  
8.b.  Applicants currently performing a period of obligated service will not be considered for the DoD CySP.
9.  Nomination Package Requirements.  Applicants must submit packages simultaneously via email to the POCs listed in paragraph 10 below and via web at https:(slash)(slash)www.dodemergingtech.com/dod-cysp-retention-program/.  All applications are due by 30 June 2022.
9.a.  All applications.
9.a.1.  Letters of recommendation from the first and second (or higher) level supervisor must include their name, position or title, telephone number, email, and organization address.
9.a.2.  An essay from the applicant answering the following:
9.a.2.a.  Assess your knowledge and ability in each of the six (6) competency areas below.  You must address each area identified.  If you do not provide this information, your package will be deemed non-responsive and will not be considered.
9.a.2.a.1.  Knowledge of the techniques of the information security discipline, including encryption, access control, physical security, training, threat analysis, authentication, human computer interaction, and personal use policies and monitoring.  (2000 characters maximum)
9.a.2.a.2.  Knowledge of management concepts as they apply to effectively managing information technology as an IT professional, manager, or project manager.  (2000 characters maximum)
9.a.2.a.3.  Ability to identify and analyze problems, distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information to make logical decisions, and provide solutions to individual and organizational problems. (2000 characters maximum)
9.a.2.a.4.  Ability to consider and respond appropriately to the needs, feelings, and capabilities of different people in different situations.  (2000 characters maximum)
9.a.2.a.5.  Ability to make clear and convincing oral presentations to individuals or groups; listen effectively and clarify information as needed; facilitate an open exchange of ideas; and foster an atmosphere of open communication.  (2000 characters maximum)
9.a.2.a.6.  Ability to express facts and ideas in writing in clear, convincing, and organized manners appropriate to the audience and occasion.  (2000 characters maximum)
9.a.2.b.  Describe how your professional and/or academic background makes you a suitable choice for the DoD Cyber Scholarship Program (DoD CySP).  Explain your reason for choosing the college/university and degree program and how the program in particular would benefit you.  Describe your desired career goals and how you believe the DoD CySP will enable you to achieve these goals.
9.a.3.  Education history including: school name, city/state, degree, degree field, major, and date received.
9.a.4.  Work history including: job title, employer, dates, salary, and pay plan-series-Grade.
9.a.5.  Copies of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores. (As applicable)
9.a.6.  Transcripts.  (As applicable) Official or unofficial transcripts for all undergraduate or graduate work (transcripts from a DoD school must be included).  Failure to attach transcripts will automatically deem the application to be incomplete.  If you attach an unofficial transcript and are selected to receive a scholarship, you will be required to provide official transcripts to the DoD CySP Program Office.
9.a.7.  Official letter verifying clearance eligibility signed by applicant’s local Special Security Office (SSO).
9.b.  Military applications.
9.b.1.  Applications must be submitted via the NAVMC 10274 Administrative Action (AA) request form.   Applications must be endorsed by the first O6 in the applicant’s chain of command, as appropriate, acknowledging acceptance to the program does not rate a back-fill for the applicant’s position.
9.b.2.  Applicants must provide written approval from their Primary Military Occupational Specialty (PMOS) monitor.
9.b.3.  Applicant’s Master Brief Sheet.
10.  Points of Contact.  All civilian applications must be sent to the civilian point of contact listed below and all Active Duty military applications must be sent to the military point of contact listed below.
10.a.  Civilian POC:  Dr. Christine Mallory,christine.a.mallory@usmc.mil, 703-604-0003.
10.b.  Military POC:  MSgt Andrew Fallan, andrew.fallan@usmc.mil, 571-256-8786.
11.  This MARADMIN is not applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve.
12.  Release authorized by BGen J. A. Matos III, Director, Information C4 Division, Deputy Commandant for Information.//