R 301400Z NOV 23 
MARADMIN 549/23 
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC DC I WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/ACADEMIC YEAR 2024 NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE UNIVERSITY (NIU) RESERVE COMPONENT MASTERS DEGREE PROGRAMS//
POC/R. WONG/MAJ/UNIT: HQMC, DC I/EMAIL: RAYMOND.WONG@USMC.MIL// 
POC/M. WELTZIEN/MAJ/UNIT: HQMC, DC I/-/TEL: 703-604-4592/EMAIL: HQMC_DCI_RLO@USMC.MIL// 
GENTEXT/RMKS/1. Purpose. This message solicits applications for the National Intelligence University (NIU) Reserve Component Master’s Degree programs for Academic Year (AY) 2024.  NIU is a directorate of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, supported administratively by the Defense Intelligence Agency, and located at the Intelligence Community Campus–Bethesda. The Master of Science of Strategic Intelligence (MSSI) and the Master of Science and Technology Intelligence (MSTI) are graduate-level education programs that include core and elective courses requiring a master's thesis on a strategic intelligence-related topic. NIU designed the progression of classes in the degree to allow United USMCR students to complete all required course work and thesis in two years. Marines accepted into the program attend classes in-person at NIU in Bethesda, MD one weekend per month for 22 months plus two, two-week periods of annual training. Classes convene August 2024 for Academic Year (AY) 2024. These graduate degree programs are open to all reserve component Marines. Active-duty candidates pending reserve affiliation will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
2. Background. The USMCR NIU Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) Detachment Faculty will convene a selection panel to review applications. The panel does not make admission decisions for NIU, and applicants must apply and be accepted into NIU’s Monthly Executive MSSI/MSTI in order to join the NIU IMA Detachment. Applicants not selected are still eligible to apply directly to NIU and attend part-time study in the Evening MSSI/MSTI, the Monthly Executive MSSI/MSTI, the Space-Available MSSI/MSTI, Continuing Education, or all other certificate programs besides the Leadership and Management Certificate of Intelligence Studies, but not as a member of the NIU IMA Detachment. Applicants who are accepted into the MSSI/MSTI programs outside of the drilling IMA should be mindful of the challenges of balancing other USMCR drilling requirements with the demands of the MSSI/MSTI program.
3. Execution. Prerequisites for NIU IMA Detachment: 
3.A. USMCR:
3.A.1. Acceptance by NIU into the Monthly Executive MSSI/MSTI program. Those waitlisted by NIU will not be considered. 
3.A.2. Grade: 1stLt to Maj, CWO2 to CWO3, SSgt to GySgt.
3.A.3. MOS: Open to any MOS, however, preference will be given to Marines in the following priorities: Intelligence, Cyberspace, and Communications military occupational specialties.
3.A.4. Experience: Minimum five years intelligence, cyber or communications experience through either military and/or civilian occupations.
3.A.5. Service: Candidates must have had four satisfactory years (50 points minimum each year) during the last five years.
3.A.6. Officers must not have failed selection for promotion to the next higher grade and Majors must have less than four years’ time-in-grade.
3.A.7. Staff Non-Commissioned Officers must be eligible for re-enlistment and have two years remaining on contract after graduation.
3.A.8. Officers and SNCOs must agree to remain in an intelligence billet in the reserves (IMA detachment or SMCR unit) for three years following graduation.
3.A.9. Applicants must meet Marine Corps height and weight standards per MCO 6110.3A.
3.B. NIU:
3.B.1. Possess a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
3.B.2. Possess (at the time the candidate submits their application) a Top Secret clearance and be eligible for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI). Application for this program is an insufficient justification to request initial processing for a TS/SCI clearance.
4. Applications. Applicants must submit an application package to both NIU and DC I, as outlined below:
4.A. NLT 26 February, 2024, apply to either the MSSI or MSTI program via the procedures outlined at https:(slash)(slash)niu.edu/wp/admissions/. Questions about the university admissions process, requirements, or application status must be addressed directly with the NIU Office of Admissions at NIU_Admissions@niu.odni.gov.
4.B. NLT 10 March 2024, coordinate with the DC I POC and alternate POC listed above to deliver the documents below via a method approved for PII (DOD SAFE, https:(slash)(slash)safe.apps.mil, is preferred).
4.B.1. Completed NIU application form.   
4.B.2. A 500-word unclassified essay (typed, double-spaced) explaining: your personal and professional goals and objectives; how you envision your graduate study in intelligence furthering Marine Corps’ ability to operate in the information environment; and achievements in your education and/or career that enhances your ability to undertake graduate study.
4.B.3. Current Reserve Qualification Summary (RQS).
4.B.4. Current civilian resume.
4.B.5. A favorable endorsement from the applicant's command (IMA detachment or SMCR), IRR Marines should obtain this endorsement from the Marine Corps Individual Reserve Support Activity (MCIRSA). 
4.B.6. Current copy of the applicant's Master Brief Sheet.
5. Marines selected to join the DC I IMA Detachment (RUC 88600) must be transferred NLT 1 August 2024.
5.A. Selectees will not be transferred to the IMA Detachment until a confirmation from the NIU of the selectee’s admission to the NIU and security clearance is confirmed.
5.B. Attendance at NIU 12 weekends over a 10-month academic year is required and will be considered normal drill periods.
5.C. Attendees will be required to perform active-duty training at NIU for 12 days each summer for two consecutive academic years.
5.D. NIU students will also be required to complete all Marine Corps annual training requirements.
5.E. Drill attendance sheets, orders requests, and other administrative requirements associated with this duty will be processed by DC I.
5.F. Applicants located outside the National Capitol Region should familiarize themselves with which travel expenses are reimbursable for IMA IDT and AT, and plan accordingly.
6. These programs do not currently qualify as an Intermediate Level School (ILS) equivalent.
7. Selectees will be notified individually by this headquarters. This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve or those joining the Marine Corps Reserves NLT 1 July 2024. 
8. Direct all questions to MARADMIN POCs.
9. Release authorized by LtGen Matthew G. Glavy, Headquarters Marine Corps, Deputy Commandant for Information.//