R 011800Z JUL 26
MARADMIN 304/26
MSGID/GENADMIN/CG EDCOM QUANTICO VA//
SUBJ/ACADEMIC YEAR 2027-2028 ADVANCED INTERMEDIATE LEVEL SCHOOL
APPLICATION MESSAGE//
REF/A/MSGID: DOC/MCO 1553.4B//
REF/B/MSGID: DOC/MCO 1300.8//
REF/C/MSGID: DOC/MCO 1001.52K//
REF/D/MSG/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA RA/YMD:031800Z OCT 25
REF/E/DOC/CMC/YMD: 20250528//
REF/F/DOC/CMC/YMD: 20250307//
REF/G/DODI/SECWAR/YMD: 20080429//
NARR/REF A IS MCO 1553.4B MARINE CORPS PROFESSIONAL MILITARY
EDUCATION. REF B IS MCO 1300.8 MARINE CORPS PERSONNEL ASSIGNMENT
POLICY. REFERENCE C IS MCO 1001.52K, MANAGEMENT OF THE ACTIVE
RESERVE (AR) SUPPORT TO THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE
(USMCR). REFERENCE D IS MARADMIN 470/25 REFERENCE E IS MCO 1900.16
CH 3, SEPARATION AND RETIREMENT MANUAL. REFERENCE F IS MCO 1001R.1L
CH 2, MARINE CORPS RESERVE ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT MANUAL (MCRAMM).
REFERENCE G IS DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INSTRUCTION 1322.10, POLICY ON
GRADUATE EDUCATION FOR MILITARY OFFICERS.
//POC/J.E. CAVAN/LTCOL/SAW DEPUTY DIRECTOR/TEL:
DSN 278-6890/TEL: (703)784-6890/EMAIL: JOSHUA.CAVAN@USMCU.EDU//
POC/MELISSA CALLOWAY/SAW PROGRAM MANAGER/TEL: DSN 278-6800/TEL:
(703)784-6800/E-MAIL: MELISSA.CALLOWAY@USMCU.EDU//
POC/MCU REGISTRAR/E-MAIL: MCU_REGISTRAR@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's application and selection
process aligns with the Commandant’s Professional Intermediate-Level
Education Board (CPIB) timeline.
2. Mission. From August through September 2026, A-ILS selection
boards will convene to select the best qualified applicants for
Academic Year 2027-2028 (AY 27-28) 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 27-28 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 normally only attend SAW, but may
apply to other schools after consulting with Reserve Affairs (RAM)
and SAW leadership.
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) 2028 Lieutenant Colonel Promotion Selection Board.
3.B.1.B.2. Security Clearance: U.S. officers are
required to have, or have initiated, a Top Secret-Sensitive
Compartmented Information (TS-SCI) clearance before AY 27-28 school
year begins.
3.B.1.B.3. Reserve Component (RC) Eligibility.
Active Reserve (AR), Selected Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR), Individual
Mobilization Augmentee (IMA), and Individual Ready Reserve (IRR)
officers are eligible to apply. This opportunity requires service in
the AR Program, per references (c) and (d). Reserve officer
applications must include a Statement of Understanding (SOU)
provided by Reserve Affairs Manpower Management (RAM) and receive
an application endorsement letter from the RAM Branch Head. If
selected for A-ILS, Reserve officers will attend their assigned
school via participation in the AR Program for a minimum of 24-months
including attendance at school and a 12-month utilization tour at
Headquarters, Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES) in New Orleans, LA.
Selected officers incur service obligation as per references (c),
(d), and (e). This obligation will be detailed in the SOU and
reported administratively by establishing an incurred obligation
service code “CD” for service education relative to their projected
graduation date. This obligation shall not be waived, including
requests to Return to Active Duty (RAD).
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
2027. 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 2027. Marine Officers who
are not summer of 2027 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 2028 Promotion
Selection Board for Major.
3.B.1.C.4. Officers may not be a Lieutenant Colonel or selected on
the FY 2027 Promotion Board or earlier at the time of application.
If an officer is in zone for Lieutenant Colonel on the (FY) 2028
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 2027 are not eligible to apply.
3.B.1.D. Application Timeline
3.B.1.D.1. NLT 31 July 2026, applicants will send their “intent to
apply” via email to the SAW Program Manager,
melissa.calloway@usmcu.edu. Active component applicants will carbon
copy the 0505 monitor and their PMOS monitor. The subject line
should read “LAST NAME, F. M. - INTENT TO APPLY TO SAW”. If applying
to multiple programs, indicate this in the subject line
(e.g., SAW/SAMS/SAASS/MAWS). RC applicants must first contact RAM to
obtain a signed SOU and an endorsement letter from RAM. RC officers
who email an intent to apply without a SOU and endorsement from RAM
will not be considered.
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 10
August 2026. 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 2026 and
30 September 2026. 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 2026 to 30
September 2026.
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 2026, 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 2026.
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
123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789
equivalent, with the majority coming to AMSP from Command and General
Staff College. Reserve Component Marine Officers normally do not
attend SAMS, but may apply after consulting with RAM and SAW
leadership.
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@army.mil, and LtCol James O’Shaughnessy, (comm)
(913) 758-3455 or james.t.oshaughnessy.mil@army.mil.
3.B.2.D. Marine officers who apply to SAMS must provide a copy of
their Master Brief Sheet via email to the SAW Program Manager,
melissa.calloway@usmcu.edu. Active component applicants will carbon
copy the 0505 monitor and their PMOS monitor. The subject line
should read “LAST NAME, F. M. - INTENT TO APPLY TO SAMS”.
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 normally do not attend SAASS, but
may apply after consulting with RAM and SAW leadership.
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.3.D. Marine officers who apply to SAASS must provide a copy of
their Master Brief Sheet via email to the SAW Program Manager,
melissa.calloway@usmcu.edu. Active component applicants will carbon
copy the 0505 monitor and their PMOS monitor. The subject line
should read “LAST NAME, F. M. - INTENT TO APPLY TO SAASS”.
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 attend MAWS through
SAW’s application and selection process. Officers interested in
attending MAWS should apply to SAW in accordance with the
instructions provided in paragraph 3.B.1. of this message.
3.B.4.C. Since MAWS is completed in conjunction with the Naval
Command and Staff program, applicants who do not meet the eligibility
requirements defined in paragraph 3.B.1.B.4. are eligible to attend
MAWS. Marine officers who have not completed (or are not on track to
complete) ILS may apply for MAWS only and must indicate this on
their application.
3.B.4.D. Reserve Component Marine Officers who apply to SAW will be
considered for MAWS if they are selected for Reserve PME at the
College of Naval Command and Staff.
3.B.4.E. 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 who are accepted
into A-ILS programs will be granted an exception to policy to screen
for command prior to completion of 12 months of a utilization tour.
4.B. Reserve Component Statement of Understanding (SOU)
4.B.1. SMCR, IMA, IRR, and AR officer applications must include a
signed SOU and a letter of endorsement from RAM. SOUs and
endorsement letters are obtained through the RAM POC.
4.B.2. SMCR, IMA, and IRR officers, after completion of an A-ILS
program, will conduct a minimum one-year active-duty utilization tour
at Headquarters, Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES) with priority
placed on valid 0505 structure. Utilization tours may be voluntarily
extended to 24-months depending on funding availability.
4.B.3. Current AR Officers must communicate their intent to apply to
RAM-2 and include a signed SOU endorsed by RAM-2. AR SAW graduates
will be assigned a 36-month utilization tour upon graduation as an
Operational Planner at MARFORRES or within the needs of the AR
Program as determined by RAM.
4.B.5 RAM POC: Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Grodek, USMC, comm (703)
784-0531/DSN 278-0531 or stephen.grodek@usmc.mil.
5. Command and Signal
5.A. POC at SAW:
5.A.1. SAW Deputy Director: 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.//