R 301330Z AUG 23
MARADMIN 431/23
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM//
SUBJ/FISCAL YEAR 2024 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/DCI/EMAIL: AUDREY.CALLANAN@USMC.MIL//
POC/A. M. FALLAN/MSGT/DCI/EMAIL: ANDREW.FALLAN@USMC.MIL//
POC/M. D. SCOTTO/MAJ/MMOA-3/EMAIL: MICHAEL.D.SCOTTO@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Purpose.  In accordance with the references, this message provides background on the National Security Agency (NSA) Computer Network Operations Development Program (CNODP) and the procedures for Marines to apply to attend the class of 2027.
1.a.  Major timeline milestones are below:
Date                       Milestone
18 September 2023          FY24 CNODP applications submitted
03 October 2023            Marine Corps FY24 CNODP Panel Convenes
15 January 2024            FY24 CNODP Selection Results Released
2.  Background.  This is a calling message for Marines to apply for the CNODP class of 2027.  The CNODP comprises the NSA system and network interdisciplinary program (SNIP) and the USCYBERCOM Joint Cyber Development Program (JCDP).  This is an opportunity for a select group of highly technically inclined individuals to develop capabilities and tools required for Computer Network Operations (CNO) and to thereby develop their skills in the areas of secure system design, vulnerability analysis, computer network defense (CND), and computer network exploitation (CNE).  The goal of the program is to develop a cadre of technical leaders who will improve the DoD's and the service's CNO capabilities with hands-on work solving new, current, and ongoing issues with a variety of CNO mission focuses.
3.  Class of 2027 overview.  The CNODP class of 2027 will begin training on 08 July 2024.  Students will report to Fort Meade no later than 25 April 2024.  This will allow sufficient time for in-processing, orientation, and security clearance verification.  The first three months of the program consist of mandatory core training.  Non-emergency leave will not be approved during these three months.  Training is followed by a 30-month period where students will perform duties in offices at the cutting edge of CNO.  Students will work alongside experienced experts, performing many of the same technical duties.  CNODP concludes with a three-month final project where students will solve a challenging technical problem of significance to the CNO community.
3.a.  Interested applicants are encouraged to join an information session hosted by Deputy Commandant for Information (DC I) to learn more about the program.  The virtual meeting will be hosted via the 17XX Teams channel on 31 August 2023 at 1300 ET. Additional details and dial-in instructions are available via the Teams channel.  Request to join at https:(slash)(slash)go.intelink.gov/xTL9YA4
4.  Eligbility.  The following prerequisites and requirements apply:
4.a.  Application is open to active duty enlisted Marines in the rank of E7 and below, chief warrant officers beyond their probationary period, and active duty officers in the rank of O2 and O3.  Officers must be career designated.
4.b.  Captains in-zone on the CY24/FY25 major promotion board are ineligible.  Captain applicants must have a date of rank junior to 01 October 2020 or lineal control number greater than 36588000.
4.c.  Applicants must have between 4 and 14 years of service as of 25 April 2024.
4.c.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 sign a page 11 entry acknowledging the obligated service requirement.  Enlisted selectees must incur the obligated service prior to detaching from their current command.
4.d.  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 investigation.
4.e.  Applicants must meet the minimum time-on-station (TOS) requirement for their current orders to apply.  Contact PMOS monitor for clarification.  Applicants who have not fulfilled an obligated payback tour for a previously attended program (e.g., Naval Post Graduate School) will not be considered.
4.f.  All applicants will notify their PMOS monitor of their intention to apply for the program.  Applicants who fail to receive written acknowledgement are ineligible.
5.  Desired Applicant Qualities.  Competitive CNODP applicants will generally have the below qualifications or qualities.  However, these are not requirements 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, 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.  Application and Selection Process
6.a.  Overview.  In accordance with the timeline in paragraph 1, Marines will submit applications to DC I as outlined below.  Cyber occupational field professionals will conduct an initial review of applications.  A panel consisting of Marine Corps personnel will convene on or about 03 October 2023 to review all eligible applications.  This panel will select the two strongest applications and will forward those to the NSA CNODP selection board.  The NSA CNODP selection board will review and select applicants, and provide final results for Manpower Management to announce on or about 15 January 2024.
6.b.  Application process.  Applications must arrive at HQMC, DC I NLT 18 September 2023.  Send applications 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 I.  If applicants do not receive a confirmation email within three business days, applicants should send a follow-on email.  Submit applications in .pdf format with the file name ‘EDIPI_LNAME_FNAME_FY23CNODP’ (e.g. 1234567891_SMITH_JOHN_FY23CNODP).
6.c.  Applications will consist of the following:
6.c.1.  Applicant’s master brief sheet from their Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) and applicable college transcripts (required for submission to NSA).
6.c.2.  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.c.3.  All applicants will be required to complete additional agency access screening with the MARFORCYBER SSO prior to the selection panel convene date.  MARFORCYBER will provide instructions in separate correspondence after 18 September 2023.
6.c.4.  A letter of recommendation from the applicant’s commanding officer.
6.c.5.  A letter of recommendation from the applicant’s supervisor, instructor, etc. attesting to the applicant’s technical skills and abilities.
6.c.6.  An additional optional letter of recommendation at the applicant’s discretion.
6.c.7.  An essay from the applicant answering the following questions (two pages or fewer):
6.c.7.a.  Why do you think that CNODP is the right choice for you? What are your goals that you wish to accomplish in CNODP?
6.c.7.b.  What experience with programming languages do you have? List each programming language and your familiarity with it, how long you coded in it, and the year you last coded in it.  Only include languages for which you have actually written or substantially modified code.  Include any and all:  assembly, hardware-based, high and low-level and scripting languages.
6.c.7.c.  Other than programming language expertise listed above, how does your experience and training relate to the core fields (hardware, software, and networks)?
6.c.7.d.  Teaming:  Describe a positive teaming experience that you have had.  Describe your role on the team and how you contributed.  You may include experiences from work or school.
6.c.7.e.  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.c.7.f.  Self-directed:  Give one 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/ disliked working in that capacity.
7.  Selected applicants will participate in an interview with the NSA selection board between November 2023 and January 2024.  Applicant's parent commands will fund TAD costs incurred by the applicant to attend the interview.  Video teleconferencing is authorized when coordinated with NSA.
8.  Manpower Management will publish the results of the final NSA selection board via MARADMIN and will issue orders accordingly.
9.  Direct all questions or concerns to cyberoccfld@usmc.mil.
10.  Release authorized by BGen Ryan S. Rideout, Director, Manpower Management Division.//