FISCAL YEAR 2023 APPLICATIONS FOR THE NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY COMPUTER NETWORK OPERATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT
Date Signed: 8/5/2022 | MARADMINS Number: 398/22
MARADMINS : 398/22

R 051409Z Aug 22
MARADMIN 398/22
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM//
SUBJ/FISCAL YEAR 2023 APPLICATIONS FOR THE NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY COMPUTER NETWORK OPERATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT//
REF/A/MSGID: DOC/MCO/YMD: 20210510//
REF/B/MSGID: DOC/MCO/YMD: 20190215//
NARR/REF A IS MCO 1300.8 W/ CH 1, THE MARINE CORPS PERSONNEL ASSIGNMENT POLICY. REF B IS MCO 1900.16 W/CH 2, SEPARATION AND RETIREMENT MANUAL.//
POC/A. F. CALLANAN/MAJ/IMD/EMAIL: AUDREY.CALLANAN@USMC.MIL//
POC/A. M. FALLAN/MSGT/IMD/EMAIL: ANDREW.FALLAN@USMC.MIL//
POC/M. D. SCOTTO/MAJ/MMOA-3/EMAIL: MICHAEL.SCOTTO@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Purpose.  In accordance with the references, this message outlines the National Security Agency (NSA) Computer Network Operations Development Program (CNODP) and the procedures for consideration for attendance in the class of 2026.  Completed applications are due no later than (NLT) 14 September 2022 and will be forwarded to the NSA selection board NLT 1 October 2023. Manpower & Reserve Affairs (M&RA) will board and select applicants based on recommendations provided by NSA.  Paragraph 6 details procedures for submission.
2.  Background.  The CNODP is comprised of the System and Network Interdisciplinary Program (SNIP), the Global Network Exploitation and Vulnerability Analyst Development Program (GDP), and the United States Cyberspace Command Joint Cyber Development Program (JCDP).  This is an opportunity for a select group of highly technically inclined individuals to further develop their skills in the areas of secure system design, vulnerability analysis, computer network defense, and computer network exploitation.  The goal of the program is to develop a cadre of technical leaders who will improve the department of defense and Marine Corps CNO capabilities.  The program is a technically demanding three-year curriculum with a three-year follow-on assignment individually tailored to each applicant to best capitalize on their expertise.
3.  The SNIP, GDP, and JCDP class of 2026 will start on 10 July 2023.  The report no later than date will be 25 April 2023. This will allow sufficient time for in-processing, orientation, and security clearance verification.  The first three months of the program consists of mandatory core training.  Non-emergency leave will not be approved during these three months.  Training is followed by a thirty-month period where members will perform duties in offices at the cutting edge of CNO.  Members will work alongside experienced experts, performing many of the same technical duties.  CNODP concludes with a three-month final project where members will solve a challenging technical problem of significance to the CNO community.
4.  The following prerequisites and requirements apply:
4.a.  Application is open to active duty, enlisted Marines in the rank of E-7 and below, Chief Warrant Officers beyond their three- year probationary period, and active-duty officers in the rank of O-2 and O-3.  Officers must be career designated.  Officers in the below-zone for O-4 are ineligible.
4.b.  Applicants must have between four and 14 years of service as of 25 April 2023.
4.b.1.  Marines selected for the program will incur a six-year total obligation (three-year internship and a three-year follow-on assignment).  Nominees will be required to provide a page 11 entry to the selection panel stating acknowledgement of the appropriate obligated service requirement.  Enlisted selectees must incur the obligated service prior to detaching from their current command.
4.c.  Selected applicants must possess a fully adjudicated TS/SCI security clearance and a current counterintelligence (CI) polygraph before the class start date.  If possible, nominees should complete their polygraph prior to detaching from their current command to reduce wait time at their gaining command.  Application to CNODP is not sufficient justification for TS/SCI eligibility determination.
4.d.  Applicants must have at least two years on-station for CONUS commands, and three years on-station for OCONUS commands.  Applicants who have not fulfilled an obligated payback tour for a previously attended program will not be considered.
4.e.  All applicants will notify the primary MOS monitor of their intention to apply for the program.  Applicants who fail to receive written acknowledgement will make themselves ineligible.
5.  CNODP candidates should possess the following desired qualifications to make them competitive.  The following are not required to submit an application.
5.a.  Post-secondary education or equivalent experience in the areas of engineering, computer science, electronic and electrical engineering, or applied mathematics, or be able to demonstrate equivalent experience.
5.b.  Exceptional academic performance and professional accomplishments are required; as well as demonstrated interest in and ability to perform in technical hands-on oriented work.
5.c.  Well-developed oral and written communication skills.
5.d.  Working knowledge in one or more telecommunications or computer network disciplines (computer hardware, software, networks).
5.e.  Demonstrated computer programming skills in C or C++.  Python and some assembly are desired.
5.f.  The primary military occupational specialties of 1702, 1710, 1720, and 1721.
6.  Selection will be based on a thorough review of each application package, an interview with the NSA CNODP board, and an M&RA board based on NSA recommendations.  Applications must arrive at HQMC Deputy Commandant for Information NLT 14 September 2022.  Applications are to be sent via e-mail to cyberoccfld@usmc.mil.  Applicants will receive a confirmation of receipt from this email address as soon as the application has been received at HQMC DC for Information.  If applicants do not receive a confirmation email within three business days, applicants should send a follow-on email.  HQMC DC for Information will forward applications to both NSA CNODP board and M&RA board.  The CNODP selection board is scheduled to convene on/about 3 October 2022 at Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.  Applications will be submitted in .pdf format with the file name ‘EDIPI_LNAME_FNAME_FY23CNODP’ (1234567891_SMITH_JOHN_FY23CNODP) and will consist of the following:
6.a.  Applicant’s master brief sheet from their Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) and applicable college transcripts. (Required for submission to NSA).
6.b.  TS/SCI clearance verification letter.
6.b.1.  Enclose a letter from the applicant’s Special Security Office (SSO) certifying fully adjudicated TS/SCI security clearance held and date adjudicated.  If applicant has a current CI polygraph, include date completed on SSO letter.
6.b.2.  All applicants will be required to complete additional agency access screening with the MARFORCYBER SSO prior to the selection board convene date.  Instructions will be provided in separate correspondence after 14 September 2022.
6.c.  Letter of recommendation from the applicant’s commanding officer.
6.d.  Letter of recommendation from the applicant’s supervisor, instructor, etc. attesting to the applicant’s technical skills and abilities.
6.e.  An optional letter of recommendation at the applicant’s discretion.
6.f.  An essay from the applicant answering the following questions (two pages or fewer):
6.f.1.  Why do you think that CNODP is the right choice for you? Describe your goals that you wish to accomplish in CNODP.
6.f.2.  What experience with programming languages do you have? List each programming language and your familiarity with it, how long have you coded in it, and the year that you last coded in it.  Only include languages for which you have written (or substantially modified) code.  Include any and all:  assembly, hardware-based, high-level, and scripting languages.
6.f.3.  Other than programming language expertise listed above, how does your expertise and training relate to the core fields (hardware, software, and networks)?
6.f.4.  Describe a positive teaming experience that you have had. Describe your role on the team and how you contributed.  You may include experience from work or school.
6.f.5.  Technical experience:  describe an unclassified project that best exemplifies your technical development activities and experiences.  Tell us the technical details of your contributions to that project, highlighting your strengths and weaknesses.  The project can be work, home, or school related.
6.f.6.  Self-directed:  describe an example of a project where you worked by yourself with very little guidance; briefly describe what you accomplished, how you approached the problem, and how you liked or disliked working in that capacity.
7.  Board selected applicants will participate in an interview with the NSA selection board between November 2022 and January 2023.  Applicant’s parent commands will fund TAD costs incurred by the applicant to attend the interview.  Video teleconferencing are authorized when coordinated with NSA.
8.  The board will select two primary and two alternate candidates for acceptance to CNODP.  Results of the selection board will be published by MARADMIN with orders issued by M&RA via separate correspondence.
9.  This message is applicable to the Marine Corps active service.
10.  Direct all questions or concerns to cyberoccfld@usmc.mil.
11.  Release authorized by MajGen Michael J. Borgschulte, Director, Manpower Management Division.//