R 291330Z DEC 23
MARADMIN 656/23
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC DC I WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE FY25 CMC MARINE CORPS MASTERS OF APPLIED CYBER OPERATIONS (MACO) PROGRAM//
REF/A/MSGID/DOC/MCO 1300.8 CH1/YMD:20210510//
REF/B/MSGID/DOC/MCO 1040.31/YMD:20100908//
NARR/REF A IS MCO 1300.8 Ch 1, THE MARINE CORPS PERSONNEL ASSIGNMENT POLICY. REF B IS MCO 1040.31, ENLISTED RETENTION AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM//
POC/A. B. ROZNOWSKI/LTCOL/NPS/EMAIL: AMY.ROZNOWSKI@NPS.EDU//
POC/A. F. CALLANAN/MAJ/DC I/EMAIL: AUDREY.CALLANAN@USMC.MIL//
POC/A. M. FALLAN/MSGT/DC I/EMAIL: ANDREW.FALLAN@USMC.MIL//
POC/M. CASTRO/MSGT/MMEA/EMAIL: MARLON.CASTRO@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/RMKS/1. This MARADMIN establishes the provisions for eligibility and selection to the Commandant of the Marine Corps Masters of Applied Cyber Operations (MACO) Program and provides guidance for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) implementation. This MARADMIN is a solicitation for applications. The FY24 MACO Program will commence on or about 30 September 2024 with an estimated graduation of March 2026. Applications are due no later than 23 February 2024.
1.a. Major milestone timelines:
NLT Date Milestone
12 January 2024 Applications due to NPS
23 February 2024 Applications due to HQMC
March 2024 Release of Selection Results MARADMIN
31 August 2024 Report to NPS
2. Senior leadership recognizes the need to develop resident talent within the cyber operations domain and to manage and retain our highly educated Marines. The purpose of the MACO program is to make fiscally disciplined investments in education that develop a cohort of cyber operations professionals for duty in high visibility cyberspace operations assignments at Headquarters Marine Corps, Marine Forces Headquarters, Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEF), MEF Information Groups, Marine Corps Cyberspace Operations Group, Marine Corps Cyberspace Warfare Group and Marine Forces Cyberspace Command. Filling these billets is critical for the Marine Corps to meet the challenges of operationalizing cyberspace across the MAGTF. Selectees will learn to seize and sustain an information advantage through all stages of operations, from early warning through detection, planning, targeting, cyber fires, assessing effects and resetting for follow-on plans and operations. Details regarding the standard curriculum will be posted at the MACO program page listed in para 9.a of this message.
3. Eligibility.
3.a. Active-duty Marines in the grades of E6 and above with no more than 16 years of service by end of degree completion and prior to beginning utilization tour (case-by-case exceptions).
3.b. Must not have been passed over for selection to the next higher grade.
3.c. Must meet reenlistment requirements established by DC, M&RA per reference (b).
3.d. Must hold a 17XX Primary Military Occupational Specialty (PMOS).
3.e. A minimum of 24 months on station is required for applicants in the Continental United States or 36 months in Outside of Continental United States assignments prior to the commencement of school (25 September 2023). Prescribed tours of duty will not normally be interrupted, but waivers may be requested.
3.f. Applicants must possess a Bachelor of Science degree in a technical field, such as Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Information or Engineering Technology, or a bachelor’s degree accompanied by completion of the following training: A and C Schools for the CTN and IT respectively, namely, Joint Cyber Analysis Course (JCAC) or IT A School and IT System Administrator C School or equivalent enlisted service schools for USA, USAF, and USMC.
3.g. Must hold a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance. Orders to NPS will not be issued until TS/SCI clearance is finalized.
3.h. Applicants must be Professional Military Education complete for their current rank prior to executing orders.
4. Program Specifics.
4.a. MACO Program. The purpose of the master’s program is to select up to three staff non-commissioned officers (SNCO) to participate in a fully-funded master’s program focused on applied cyber operations. This program is designed for 18 months of resident coursework at the NPS, Monterey, CA.
4.b. Expenses. Marines are not charged for program tuition and will receive a book stipend based on the length of their curriculum. Students will retain all rated allowances.
4.c. Students will be required to follow the designed curriculum path for degree completion but are authorized to take additional credit hours from other courses, if available.
5. USMC Application Process.
5.a. The application templates, along with additional information, and updates for the MACO Program can be found on the MACO Program webpage on the Cyber Occupational Field information portal located on the 17XX TEAMS Channel at https:(slash)(slash)go.intelink.gov/xTL9YA4. A Common Access Card and usmc.mil account is required to access this website.
5.b. Applicants must apply to the NPS prior to submitting their application to the USMC board, in accordance with para. 6 of this message, to obtain a conditional acceptance letter to be included in their completed package. Proof of NPS acceptance must be included in the application package referenced in para. 5.a. Recommend application to NPS be completed by 12 January 2024 to ensure adequate time for review and submission with USMC application package by the stated deadline in para. 5.d.
5.c. Completed applications are to be sent via e-mail to cyberoccfld@usmc.mil, subject titled “CMC Marine Corps Applied Cyber Operations (MACO) Program Application”.
5.d. Applications are due no later than 23 February 2024.
5.e. Applicants must obtain email concurrence from their monitors to qualify for the program. Proof of concurrence must be included in the application package referenced in para. 5.a.
6. NPS Application Process.
6.a. The steps to apply to NPS can be found at https:(slash)(slash)nps.edu/web/admissions/apply.
6.b. Applicants will need to request copies of official undergraduate transcripts to be sent directly to NPS. This should include all undergraduate schools, if more than one was attended.
6.c. Joint services transcripts (JST) should be requested from https:(slash)(slash) jst.doded.mil /official.html to be sent directly to NPS. The JST will cover other types of military education and training not included in undergraduate transcripts.
7. Service Requirements.
7.a. All applicants must agree, via AA FORM, in writing to:
7.a.1. Not request separation or retirement while participating in the program or during period of service obligation.
7.a.2. Accept an active-duty service commitment from the date of completed coursework for four years.
7.b. Upon successful completion of the degree program, participants will serve in at least one 36-month tour prior to separation from the active-duty Marine Corps, based on the needs of the Marine Corps.
8. Selection.
8.a. Applicants will be screened by elements of NPS and Deputy Commandant for Information (DC I) to determine whether the applicants are qualified to represent the Marine Corps.
8.b. Applicants will be notified of results directly following the conclusion of the screening process and will receive any further guidance for completing their enrollment with NPS.
8.c. Receipt of orders is contingent upon official acceptance to the NPS. Director, Manpower Management is the final approval authority for all assignments to the MACO Program.
9. Questions.
9.a. More information on the MACO Program curriculum can be found at https:(slash)(slash)nps.smartcatalogiq.com/current/academic-catalog/dpartments/department-of-information-sciences/cyber-systems-and-operatons-curriculum-326/applied-cyber-operations-maco/
9.b. NPS admission questions may be directed via e-mail to admissions@nps.edu.
9.c. USMC application submission questions may be directed to DC I, Information Maneuver Division, via email to cyberoccfld@usmc.mil, subject titled “CMC Marine Corps Applied Cyber Operations (MACO) Program”.
10. This MARADMIN is not applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve.
11. Release authorized by LtGen Matthew G. Glavy, Headquarters Marine Corps, Deputy Commandant for Information.//