R 101915Z JUN 25
MARADMIN 269/25
MSGID/GENADMIN/CG EDCOM QUANTICO VA//
SUBJ/ACADEMIC YEAR 2026-2027 ADVANCED INTERMEDIATE LEVEL SCHOOL
APPLICATION MESSAGE//
POC/MS. MELISSA CALLOWAY/PROGRAM MANAGER/SAW/MCU/TEL:(703) 784-6800/
DSN 278-6800 EMAIL: MELISSA.CALLOWAY@USMCU.EDU//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Situation. Advanced Intermediate Level Schools
(A-ILS) produce officers qualified to fill high-impact service and
joint planning billets. These programs enhance an officer's ability
to derive critical insights from large quantities of information,
make timely and effective decisions, communicate succinctly
verbally, visually, and in writing; and collaborate to design
cogent orders and plans. The curricula of each A-ILS program:
School of Advanced Warfighting (SAW),School of Advanced Military
Studies (SAMS), School of Advanced Air and Space Studies
(SAASS), and the Maritime Advanced Warfighting School (MAWS)
feature rigorous case studies, exercises,
staff rides, and a consideration of future war. Marine graduates
earn the free Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 0505 Operational
Planner and an accredited master's degree. A-ILS graduates also
have a strong record of selection for promotion and command based on
their well-developed capability as leaders who reason critically,
solve complex problems, and apply operational art. SAW has
accelerated its application and selection process for AY26-27 to
align with the Commandant’s Professional Intermediate-Level Education
Board (CPIB) timeline.
2. Mission. From August through September 2025, A-ILS selection
boards will convene to select the best qualified applicants for
Academic Year 2026-2027 (AY 26-27) in order to ensure the Marine
Corps is supported with highly capable and effective operational
planners.
3. Execution.
3.A. Commanders Intent. SAMS, SAASS, MAWS, and SAW offer
exceptional opportunities for officers to enhance their problem
solving and leadership skills through advanced intermediate level
education programs. The Marine Corps seeks to maximize the number of
high-caliber officers applying for and being selected into these
programs. Each school has overlapping selection timelines and unique
submission requirements that interested officers must meet. The end
state is an A-ILS AY 26-27 student body composed of officers who
demonstrate the character, competence, and creativity to excel as
planners, staff officers, and future commanders.
3.B. Concept of Operations. This concept of operations is separated
into four parts to represent the different A-ILS application and
selection processes. Marine officers interested in pursuing a path
to the Operational Planner MOS are highly encouraged to apply to
multiple schools. Because each program has its own requirements,
applicants should check the respective websites and contact
representatives at each school. Applicants are also encouraged to
begin preparations early to better meet the application requirements.
Reserve Component Marine Officers are eligible only for SAW.
3.B.1. SAW
3.B.1.A. Officers meeting the admissions criteria will, in
accordance with this Marine Administrative Message (MARADMIN),
accomplish the following: (1) submit a non-binding email stating
intent to apply, (2) submit all application materials, and (3) if
invited, participate in a SAW selection panel interview. Selected
applicants and alternates will be screened for eligibility, notified
by MARADMIN or service communication channels, and issued orders to
attend SAW.
3.B.1.B. General Eligibility Guidelines
3.B.1.B.1. Unrestricted officers from all MOS fields who are majors,
major-selects at the time of application, and those in zone for the
Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Lieutenant Colonel Promotion Selection Board.
3.B.1.B.2. Security Clearance: U.S. Marine Corps officers are
required to have, or have initiated, a Top Secret-Sensitive
Compartmented Information (TS-SCI) clearance before AY 26-27 school
year begins. All other United States (U.S.) officers are required to
have a SECRET clearance that will not expire during the AY, and must
be TS-SCI eligible.
3.B.1.B.3. Selected Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR), Individual
Mobilization Augmentee (IMA), Individual Ready Reserve (IRR), and
Active Reserve (AR), are eligible to apply.
3.B.1.B.4. Applicants from all U.S. Department of Defense service
branches and the U.S. Coast Guard must be Intermediate Level School
(ILS) or Intermediate Developmental Education (IDE) complete or
currently enrolled in good standing; and projected to complete
resident/non-resident ILS/IDE requirements no later than (NLT) June
2026. Failure to complete ILS (resident or non-resident) will
terminate eligibility.
3.B.1.B.5. International officers from non-English speaking
countries must have graduate-level capability to comprehend, read,
speak and write English (Test of English as a Foreign Language
(TOEFL): 83 on the internet based test or 560 on the paper based
test). The TOEFL score must be included on the application under the
civilian education section.
3.B.1.B.6. International officers must hold a qualifying
undergraduate degree (U.S. regionally or nationally accredited
bachelor’s degree or equivalent). U.S. Officers with international
degrees should contact Marine Corps University (MCU) Registrar office
for special instructions. Registrar point of contact (POC) is
mcu_registrar@usmcu.edu, (703) 432-5503, and DSN 278-5503.
3.B.1.C. The following are not eligible for consideration.
3.B.1.C.1. Marine Officers who have not satisfied time on station
requirements and are not eligible to execute Permanent Change of
Station (PCS) orders during the summer of 2026. Marine Officers who
are not summer of 2026 movers should contact their primary MOS
monitor (MMOA or RAM-2) to determine eligibility for PCS orders and
submit an Administrative Action (AA) form to request a tour length
waiver. Officers should not delay completion or submission of their
application while awaiting AA decision.
3.B.1.C.2. Officers who have not fulfilled an obligated payback tour
for a previously attended program.
3.B.1.C.3. Captains who are in zone for the FY 2027 Promotion
Selection Board for Major.
3.B.1.C.4. Officers may not be a Lieutenant Colonel at the time of
application. If an officer is in zone for Lieutenant Colonel on the
(FY) 2027 Lieutenant Colonel Promotion Selection Board and they fail
promotion selection, their eligibility to attend A-ILE will be
terminated.
3.B.1.C.5. Joint Service Reserve and National Guard officers are not
eligible to apply.
3.B.1.C.6. Officers selected to assume command of a recruiting
station during FY 2026 are not eligible to apply.
3.B.1.D. Application Timeline
3.B.1.D.1. NLT 31 July 2025, applicants will send their “intent to
apply” via email to the SAW organizational mailbox,
mcu_saw_applications@usmcu.edu and the SAW Program Manager, melissa.
calloway@usmcu.edu. Applicants will carbon copy the 0505 monitor
and their PMOS monitor. The subject line should read, “LAST NAME,
F. M. - INTENT TO APPLY”.
3.B.1.D.2. In the body of the email, provide first name, middle
initial, last name, rank, branch of service, military email, personal
email, and personal and work contact phone numbers. Applicants will
be sent a reply email with a link to application instructions, forms,
and the essay prompt. This information must be completed NLT 11
August 2025. If the reply email is not received within 48 hours,
contact the SAW POC via phone or email.
3.B.1.D.3. For SAW, competitive applicants will be contacted to
schedule an individual panel interview between 1 August 2025 and
30 September 2025. In-person interviews for out-of-area applicants
are not required. Applicants outside the National Capital Region
who cannot make an in-person interview will be scheduled to conduct a
video teleconference (VTC) or phone interview. Out-of-area
applicants who choose to execute a face-to-face interview in Quantico
,VA will be responsible for travel, lodging, and incidental costs.
Contact information for each A-ILE program is provided below so
that all interested officers have access.
3.B.1.D.4. Interview dates for SAW selection: 1 August 2025 to 30
September 2025.
3.B.1.D.5. Interview location: Warner Center, Bldg. 2044, Suite
2122, South Street, Quantico, VA, 22134. SAW will not conduct
on-site interviews at the United States Army Command and General
Staff College, Naval War College, or Air Command and Staff College.
Joint service SAW applicants from these sites will conduct VTC or
phone interviews. Marine POCs at the above locations, listed in
paragraph five, will assist in the scheduling of VTC interviews.
3.B.1.D.6. In early October 2025, SAW will ensure selected students
for all A-ILE programs are approved for attendance by their
respective service or nation. Nominated international officers are
invited through the International Military Training office,
which in turn coordinates with the officers military assignment
staff. Once approved, selection results will be announced via
separate MARADMIN with a goal for release of the selection message in
late October 2025.
3.B.1.D.7. Questions regarding the application process or website
problems should be directed to SAW POC, Ms. Melissa Calloway.
3.B.2. SAMS
3.B.2.A. The Advanced Military Studies Program (AMSP) is a one year
graduate-level education program of SAMS. The vision for AMSP is to
develop effective planners who help senior leaders understand the
operational environment and then visualize and describe viable
solutions to operational problems. Graduates of the AMSP are
critical and creative thinkers grounded in operational theory,
doctrine, and history; can identify problems and propose viable
solutions; can clearly communicate to various audiences orally,
graphically, and in writing; are good leaders and great teammates
who collaborate effectively to get the job done; have the courage
to lead from above, beside, and below; are physically and mentally
tough; and are humble professionals who are more than they seem.
3.B.2.B. The AMSP is for majors and junior lieutenant colonels who
have completed their Intermediate Level Education requirement or
equivalent, with the majority coming to AMSP from Command and General
Staff College. Reserve Component Marine Officers are not eligible
for SAMS.
3.B.2.C. If interested in applying to the United States Army AMSP,
contact Mr. Jeremy Cole, (comm) (913) 758-3300/DSN 585 or
jeremy.j.cole8.civ@mail.mil.
3.B.3. SAASS
3.B.3.A. The SAASS mission is “To educate strategists for the Air
Force, Space Force, and nation.” It is a 49-week program designed for
majors and junior lieutenant colonels across all services,
international officers, and DAF civilians. The cornerstone of the
curriculum is the Socratic seminar, and syllabi cover theories of
strategy, airpower history, international politics, coercion,
irregular warfare, and cyber, space, and technology domains.
Coursework is book-based, and students author course papers and an
academic thesis on an issue of military strategy. SAASS graduates
are equipped to think critically, analyze, synthesize, develop
military strategy, and to communicate ideas verbally and in
written form. Graduates receive a Master of Philosophy in
Military Strategy. For a select cadre of top graduates, SAASS
also offers a Doctorate of Philosophy in Military Strategy.
3.B.3.B. SAASS is tailored for majors and junior Lieutenant Colonels
that have completed resident Intermediate Level Education.
Reserve Component Marine Officers are not eligible for SAASS.
3.B.3.C. If interested in applying to SAASS, information can be
found at https:(SLASH)(SLASH)www.airuniversity.af.edu/SAASS/ and
inquiries can be submitted to the SAASS organizational email address
at saass.admissions.director@us.af.mil.
3.B.4. MAWS
3.B.4.A. MAWS is the U.S. Navy's resident A-ILE program, completed
in conjunction with the College of Naval Command and Staff
curriculum. This course develops strategic and operational leaders
with the skills required to plan, execute, and assess combined,
joint, and naval operations.
3.B.4.B. U. S. Marine Officers are selected to MAWS by interviewing
with the SAW faculty and staff. They are not required to apply
directly to MAWS. This coordination with the MAWS staff allows for
maximum flexibility to seat students in either A-ILS program. U.S.
Marine Officers interested in attending MAWS should apply to SAW
directly, and are encouraged to list Naval Command & Staff College
high on their preference choices for the CPIB questionnaire.
Reserve Component Marine Officers are not eligible for MAWS.
3.B.4.C. For those interested in the U.S. Navy MAWS, information
can be found at https:(SLASH)(SLASH)usnwc.edu/college-of-naval-
command-and-staff/Additional-Academic-Opportunities/Maritime-Advanced
-Warfighting-School.html and specific inquiries can be submitted to
the MAWS organizational email address at: maws.leadership@usnwc.edu.
4. Administration and logistics
4.A. Active Component Marine A-ILS graduates normally serve 36
months in a utilization tour as 0505 Operational planners.
Lieutenant Colonels and Lieutenant Colonel-selects with the 0505 MOS
will be eligible to screen for command after the first 12 months of
their 36-month utilization tour.
4.B. SMCR, IMA, and IRR applicants must submit a signed Separate
Written Agreement to Train (SWAT) at the time of application to
acknowledge and accept the post-graduation utilization tour orders.
4.C. SMCR, IMA, and IRR SAW graduates will be required to conduct a
minimum 12-month utilization tour immediately following SAW as
determined by Reserve Affairs Personnel Management (RAM).
Utilization tours may be voluntarily extended to 24-months depending
on funding availability.
4.D. AR Officers must communicate their intent to apply to RAM-2.
4.E. AR SAW graduates will be assigned a 36-month utilization tour
upon graduation as an Operational Planner at MARFORRES or within the
National Capital Region as determined by RAM.
5. Command and Signal
5.A. POC at SAW:
5.A.1. SAW Deputy Director (through late July 2025): Lieutenant
Colonel Jonathan Secor, USMC, comm (703) 784-6890/DSN 278-6890 or
Jonathan.secor@usmcu.edu.
5.A.2. SAW Deputy Director (starting in late July 2025): Lieutenant
Colonel Joshua Cavan, USMC, comm (703) 784-6890/DSN 278-6890 or
Joshua.cavan@usmcu.edu.
5.A.3. SAW Program Manager: Ms. Melissa Calloway, comm (703)
784-6800/DSN 278-6800 or melissa.calloway@usmcu.edu.
6. Release authorized by Brigadier General M. W. Tracy, Commanding
General, Education Command.//