R 291724Z DEC 25
MARADMIN 629/25
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC CD WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/SOLICITATION OF NOMINEES FOR SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY 
/ADVANCED VISUAL INFORMATION TRAINING PROGRAM (2026-2027 
/ACADEMIC YEAR)//
POC1/MCDOLE/KL/MSGT/45XX OCCFLD SUPPORT SNCOIC/CD//TEL: (703)
614-1494/EMAIL: KASSIE.MCDOLE@USMC.MIL//
POC2/HENDRICKS/KM/SSGT/45XX MOS SPECIALIST/CD//TEL: (703)
614-1494/EMAIL: KAITLYNN.M.HENDRICKS.MIL@USMC.MIL//
POC3/GIBSON/AM/MGYSGT/45XX OCCFLD SPONSOR AND SENIOR /ENLISTED 
ADVISOR/CD/TEL: (703) 614-1387//EMAIL: ANTWAUN.GIBSON@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Purpose.  This message provides information for
solicitation of 45XX Occupational Field (OccFld) nominees to attend
the 2026-2027 Syracuse University Advanced Visual (VI) Information
Training Program.
2.  Communication Directorate (CD) will review and select nominees
to attend this program.
3.  Purpose.  The Marine Corps, through the Department of the Navy,
offers an advanced visual information training program at Syracuse
University.  This yearlong course emphasizes visual and mass
communication theory, visual storytelling, advanced audio, advanced
production planning, advanced post-production editing, immersive
design, graphic design theory and application, news writing,
communication law, and social media. The program provides a working
knowledge of cameras, lenses and filters, interview techniques,
feature stories, picture stories, techniques for controlled and
uncontrolled action, field audio capture, studio and on-location
lighting, documentary storytelling, and post-production.  Upon
completion, the student will have earned an intensive 30 credit
hours toward a baccalaureate degree from Syracuse University.
4.  CD will fund (8) 45XX Marines in the following programs of
study: (2-4) for Advanced Graphic Design, (2-4) for Advanced
Photojournalism and (4) for Advanced Motion Media Journalism.
5.  The prerequisites for this program are as follows:
5.a.  PMOS 4512, 4541, 4571, 4591 E-4 through E-6; Marines selected
for promotion to E-7 prior to application are ineligible to apply
for the program.
5.b.  Applicants must have at least five years’ time in service
(TIS) at the time of application.
5.c.  Applicants should have a minimum of 24 months’ time on station
(TOS) by 1 July 2026.  OccFld Manager/MOS Specialists will assist in
submission of any applicable TOS waivers.
5.d.  Applicants must have completed intermediate level PMOS course
in accordance with NAVMAC 1200.1L at the time of application.
5.e.  Applicants must submit an essay explaining the personal and
professional reason for attending the Advanced VI Training Program
at Syracuse University, which program the applicant desires, and
how he/she intends to apply the learned skills upon return to the
fleet (500-1,000 words).
5.f.  First Endorsement Letter:
5.f.1.  The Communication Strategy and Operations (COMMSTRAT)
Officer or civilian director are required to submit a nomination
letter endorsing the Marine applying for the program, emphasizing
the whole Marine concept, such as leadership traits and principles
 maturity, and physical fitness.
5.g.  Second Endorsement Letter:
5.g.1.  The Marine’s commander shall provide an endorsement
highlighting the Marine’s adherence to height and weight standards,
financial responsibility, physical fitness, and eligibility for
continued service as integral criteria for consideration.
5.h.  Letters of Recommendation:
5.h.1.  At least one letter of recommendation from the unit’s Visual
Information Officer (VIO), Senior Enlisted Advisor (SEA)/Staff
Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (SNCOIC), or COMMSTRAT Chief
within the operational chain of command.  The letter of
recommendation will include the Marine’s overall impact to the
unit’s mission and achievement of communication goals, storytelling
ability, use of intermediate skills, mentorship of subordinates, and
technical skill.
5.h.2.  Additional letters from prior leadership may be included
(maximum of two).
5.i.  BIR/BTR
5.j.  Page 11
5.k.  Complete an independent duty-screening checklist (disregard
any references to 36-months service or dress blue issuance) endorsed
by Marine’s commander.
5.l.  Applicants must have 24-months of service remaining after
completion of this program.  If required, nominees must request
extensions via the unit career planner upon selection.
5.m.  Portfolio should comprise of a variety of five (minimum) video
products, five (minimum) graphic products, or ten (minimum)
photojournalism examples, depending on the program the Marine is
applying for (include links to published material in a PDF
document).  A Marine may elect to send a single link using the
gallery feature on the Defense Visual Information Distribution
Service (DVIDS) or submit individual content links.  Marines are
authorized to submit personal work outside of their official duties.
Marines applying for multiple programs must submit separate
portfolios, per program, for consideration.
6.  Applicants will create and scan the entire package contents into
a single .pdf file and must be scanned in sequence listed in para
5.d through 5.j above.  Send the .pdf package via an encrypted email
to all POCs NLT 27 February 2026.
7.  The CD selection committee will judge nominees based on the
whole Marine concept, technical ability, previous
education/experience, Primary Military Education (PME) completion,
TOS requirements, and Time in Service (TIS) requirements.
8.  CD will notify units, selectees, and alternates via MARADMIN.
9.  This is an accompanied Permanent Change of Station (PCS).
Selectees should expect to report on or about 15 July 2026 in time
for orientation. The course begins on/about 3 August 2026 with a
May 2027 graduation date.  Mrs. Nancy Austin of Syracuse University
is the program's student liaison and may be reached at
njaustin@syr.edu and phone 315-443-4082.
10.  While attending the course, Marines will be administratively
assigned to 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine
Division (4th LAR Bn., 4th MARDIV).  Marines will rate a
non-observed academic fitness report that includes their Syracuse
Grade Point Average (GPA). 
11. Release authorized by Col. John O. Caldwell, Director of
Communication, Communication Directorate, Headquarters Marine
Corps//