R 171600Z OCT 23
MARADMIN 528/23
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC PPO PL WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/FY24 FOREIGN AREA STAFF NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER (FAS) PROGRAM STUDY TRACK SOLICITATION MESSAGE//
REF/A/DOC/MCO 1520.11F/20130327//
REF/B/NAVMC/1200.1H/20220907//
REF/C/DOC/MCO 13226.6/20190319//
REF/D/GENADMIN/CMC/291609ZAUG17//
REF/E/GENADMIN/CMC MRA MP/231303ZJUL19//
NARR/REF A IS MCO 1520.11F, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS PROGRAMS (IAP). REF B IS THE MARINE CORPS MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY (MOS) MANUAL. REF C IS MCO P1326.6, SELECTING, SCREENING, AND PREPARING ENLISTED MARINES FOR SPECIAL DUTY ASSIGNMENTS AND INDEPENDENT DUTIES (SDAMAN). REF D IS MARADMIN 478/17, FOREIGN AREA SNCO (FAS) PROGRAM EXPERIENCE TRACK SELECTION PROCESS UPDATE. REF E IS MARADMIN 408/19, ENLISTED ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE LIMITS AND HIGH YEAR TENURE//
POC/1/RIVEROMONTES, JORGE /MSGT/CMC PPO PL WASHINGTON DC/DSN 224-4366/703-692-4366/JORGE.RIVEROMONTES@USMC.MIL.//
POC/2/DELLOW, CHRISTOPHER/LTCOL/CMC PPO PL WASHINGTON DC/DSN 224-4365/703-692-4365/CHRISTOPHER.DELLOW@USMC.MIL.//
POC/3/FISHER, CLAYTON/CIV/CMC PPO PL WASHINGTON DC/DSN 224-0322/703-614-0322/CLAYTON.FISHER@USMC.MIL.//
POC/4/STOKES, TYLER F/GYSGT/HQMC MMEA25 QUANTICO VA/DSN 378-9473/703-432-9473/TYLER.D.STOKES@USMC.MIL.//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Purpose. Per refs A through E, this message solicits applications for the International Affairs Program (IAP) FY24 Foreign Area Staff Non-Commissioned Officer (FAS) Program study track selection panel and outlines procedures for application.
2. The overall purpose of the FAS Program is to provide Language, Regional Expertise, and Culture (LREC) capabilities to MAGTF commanders at the tactical level, strengthen cooperation with allies and partners, and improve Marine Corps integration with the Interagency. These voluntary specialties are open to a select group of enlisted Marines who provide commanders a way to effectively navigate the increasingly complex cultural terrain of global missions.
3. Eligibility.
3.a. The FAS program study track selection is limited to active duty component Staff Sergeants (including selectees) to Master Sergeants. First Sergeants, Master Gunnery Sergeants, and Sergeants Major are not eligible for selection to the FAS Program through the study track method; however, they are encouraged to apply via the experience track method if they meet the requirements outlined in ref A. Reserve Component SNCOs are also encouraged to apply via the experience track method. Information on selection through the experience track method is outlined in refs A and D.
3.b. Applicants must possess a secret clearance.
3.c. Applicants should meet minimum time on station requirements as of 1 Jun 2024.
3.d. Marines who possess a bachelor’s degree must submit an admissions applications to NPS for consideration. Conditional letter of acceptance from NPS must be submitted with your FAS program application package. Marines must take into consideration the timeline available for consideration to NPS.
3.e. Marines who do not possess a bachelor's degree but are selected to the FAS program will undergo intensive training through the Department of State Foreign Service Institute in Washington DC.
3.f. The steps to apply to NPS can be found at: https:(slash)(slash)nps.edu/web/admissions/apply
3.g. Applicants must have the language-specific minimum Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) score or current Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) score of 1+ / 1+ in two of the modalities (Listening, Reading, or Speaking) to qualify. See ref A for minimum requirements for different training track scenarios.
3.h.(1). 95 DLAB for category I languages: Dutch, French, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, and Spanish.
3.h.(2). 100 DLAB for category II languages: German, Malay, Indonesian, and Romanian.
3.h.(3). 105 DLAB for category III languages: Czech, Hindi, Farsi, Dari, Punjabi, Polish, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Tagalog, Thai, Turkish, Uzbek, Urdu, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
3.h.(4). 110 DLAB for category IV languages: Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Pashto.
3.i. Applicants with relevant regional experience overseas should highlight this in their application.
3.j. Marines who have participated in other USMC education programs may be eligible for FAS Program study track selection upon completion of previous service obligations.
3.k. SNCOs completing tours with the operating forces are particularly encouraged to apply.
4. Application.
4.a. FAS Program requirements can be found in chapter 3 of ref A. Application template can be found on the IAP website at: http:(slash)(slash)www.hqmc.marines.mil/ppo/Units/Strategy-and-Plans-Division-PL/International-Affairs-Branch-PLU/International-Affairs-Programs/IAP-Resources/. Applicants are highly encouraged to read Chapter 3 of ref A in its entirety.
4.b. Applications must be endorsed by the first O-5 in the chain of command at the minimum. Letters of recommendation may be included as enclosures to the application. Meaningful endorsements and recommendations may be included as a comparative assessment of the potential of the applicant, not only as a FAS, but also address long term potential in PMOS and Marine Corps.
4.c. Applicants may request their preferred region and specify their priorities. Regional breakdown can be found in ref A.
4.d. Per ref A, acceptance of orders to the FAS Program of the IAP incurs a service obligation of two years. Applications must contain the following statement: "If selected, I agree to remain on active duty for at least two years after completion of my training. I agree not to request separation or retirement while participating in the program. I further understand that this obligation begins upon completion of training in accordance with ref A."
4.e. Application packages must be submitted NLT 26 Feb 2024.
4.f. Late or incomplete nominations will not be considered.
4.g. Digital (pdf) copies of the entire package are the standard submission. Any documents requiring signature (endorsements, letters of recommendation, etc.) must be signed prior to conversion to pdf.
4.h. The completed packages must be submitted electronically using the Special Duty Assignment Miscellaneous Reenlistment Extension Lateral Move (RELM) in the Total Force Retention System (TFRS) via the normal RELM routing chain to CMC (MMEA-25). Unit Career Planners have access to the TFRS program. Additionally, applicants must notify POCs listed above once their application have been submitted and forward a pdf version of their packages to IAPMarine@usmc.mil
4.i. The enclosures to the RELM must contain the following:
4.i.(1). Application template, found in ref A and IAP website.
4.i.(2). A complete personal statement in appropriate naval letter format to address the interest of the applicant in the FAS Program and how the experiences and background of the applicant can best serve the Marine Corps in the International Affairs Program. Personal statements should be at least 600 words, but no more than 800 words.
4.i.(3). Copies of official education transcripts.
4.i.(4). Copies of any records of adverse material.
4.i.(5). Clearance verification letter.
4.j. Label all pdf files with "Rank.Last.First.Region" (e.g., GySgt.Smith.John.Africa).
4.k. HQMC (MMEA-25) will evaluate assignability considerations of each package before submitting them to (PPO-PLU) for final decision.
5. Questions concerning the International Affairs Program can be directed to POC 1 listed above.
6. Release authorized by BGen Simon M. Doran, Director, Strategy and Plans Division, Plans, Policies and Operations, Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps.//